Majolica for Spring

Early Spring Mantel

It was time for a new display on my fireplace mantel.

I decided to get my Majolica out that's been packed away.

The white finial came from Hobby Lobby several years ago.

I have quite a bit of Majolica which is an antique pottery from the Victorian era.

It's known for its botanical themes, shapes and bright, shiny lead glazes.

A very common pattern is the begonia leaf.
I have about eight of them and wouldn't mind having eight more.

I only decided to use the Majolica on the fireplace when I was emptying out the buffet in the dining room to paint it.

I placed a few pieces on the mantel and decided I really liked it.

There is currently more of it stacked about the room...since the dining room is all a mess
because of my painting project.

I especially like the turquoise and green but there are bits of pink and yellow too.

I've always loved the colors in these glazes and they have inspired my decorating 

color scheme for many years.

Majolica was very much in high style...the in thing to collect in the late 80's, early 90's....
but has since dwindled in popularity.

But I still love it and I think it's perfect for spring with it's bright pastel colors and nature themes.
Everything comes back in style eventually.
I remember oogling over pages in the design magazines that showed shelves stuffed with the stuff.
I wanted hundreds of pieces. But I've learned I don't need a lot of something.
Ok, I take that back...I didn't learn it....I've got lots of mercury glass.

Anyway I  have a nice Majolica collection (perhaps 40 pieces) but I'm not sure where to display it all
since moving in this house.
So lots of it has been packed away.

I used to really be mad for it. I still love it but have been leaning more towards 

silver sparkly things of late, hence the mercury glass.

In my search for a terrarium...I found this small cloche at TJ Maxx last month.

The little butterfly and bird's nest inside came from Michael's.

I still have not made a terrarium. I haven't found any nice small plants.

But this little cloche with the faux stuff inside seemed to fill my need for a bit of green under glass.

I'm loving the simplicity of this display and the bright pastels.

After all the pink I had out for Valentine's, I'm enjoying the change.

I was in the mood for turquoise and green.

I'm ready for Spring!

**Big News - Just In**
I've been asked to participate in this year's

Parade will run April 4 - 8, 2011

Click on the logo above for more information.
Andrea at Poppies at Play is holding open two wild card slots...so you can send her some photos
of your home and you might also be on the tour.
There will be 20 homes with four different homes be highlighted each day over the course of a week.
I was so honored to be included because there are really some super fabulous homes on this tour.

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