Flowers of the month: August

Bright pink asters to celebrate August!

I was inspired by designsponge's post on arranging flowers in unexpected containers.  A few favorite examples here:

 

Vintage Monday: Russell Wright and Vera

My love of Vera and Russell Wright combined in one post!

Snagged this gorgeous grey pitcher from Russell Wright's modern dinnerware collection and this lovely Vera linen tea towel at the City Wide Garage Sale last weekend.  I'm pretty sure I squeaked when I saw the pitcher, then had to send B in to bargain as I had lost all credibility.

Wishlist Wednesday: Sugar and creamer sets

I have an inordinate love for sugar and creamer sets.  I love the English tradition of taking cream and sugar with my tea though I hardly get a chance to do so (pesky work).  Ah to be a lady who lunches!  Frivolity aside, there are multiple uses for these little sets (or so I say to justify my growing collection)--you can use the creamers as impromptu vases for flowers and the sugar jars are perfect for cotton balls, buttons, jewelry and other little treasures.  Here are some of my favorite sets gathered from google images:
 
I have this set from Anthropologie--it's sitting in the guest bathroom and houses qtips and cottonballs!

Another Anthropologie set

A retro turquoise Melmac set

Russell Wright in action

Cobalt and orange sets from Fiestaware

A modern white ceramic set

My absolute favorite Franciscan Starburst (the teapot isn't too shabby either!)

Lovely vintage jadeite set

Some bright and quirky vintage sets

Vintage Marcrest (I found the sugar jar in Tallahassee and am looking for the creamer!)

And just for fun, a little whale set

Vintage Monday: Russell Wright Modern Dinnerware

We've already addressed my china obsession  right?  Well let's add Russell Wright to the list now.  I've always admired the colors and lines of his Modern dinnerware and finally managed to find two great pieces on sale this weekend.  We spent Saturday afternoon at the Antique Gallery of Round Rock and I had a lovely time wandering through the individual booths and picking out treasures.   I picked up a few (newer edition) Fiesta berry bowls and gravy pitcher in turquoise and some really great jewelry as well (pictures to come soon).  Many of the booths had fabulous Memorial Day sale prices and I chanced upon this Russell Wright chop plate and serving bowl in a pale grey.  The lines and curves are beautiful and I can't wait to add more to the collection.  I especially love the pitchers!  (note to self: time to buy a credenza for more storage)

A little bit more about Russell Wright from the Metropolitan Museum of Art website:

American Modern dinnerware, 1937
Russel Wright (American, 1904–1976)
Glazed earthenware

The biomorphic forms and softly vibrant color palette of Wright's American Modern service, made of sturdy and inexpensive earthenware, made it one of the most popular ceramic services ever created. The highly sculptural forms of some the pieces in this service, including the teardrop-shaped pitcher with elongated spout, were unlike any other products on the market...

As the best-selling ceramic service ever, Wright's dinnerware proved to be an especially successful example of the Good Design movement, which sought to make well-designed, modern goods available to consumers at every price point.

Source: Russel Wright: American Modern dinnerware (2002.585.17a-j) | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art