All posts by theeditor

1920s, Downton Abbey, Royal Crown Derby, Spode

Get the look: Lady Mary Crawley’s Breakfast China

ladymarycrawleybreakfast
Lady Mary Crawley's Breakfast Tray -Spode Stafford White China Cup and saucer, Crown Derby Creamer Jug

Going all out for a full set of Downton Abbey style fine china may not be practical or affordable on a limited budget. A fine china breakfast tray setting is an affordable luxury and perfect for a stylish breakfast in bed. Take inspiration from Lady Mary Crawley's breakfast tray. On the Downton Abbey set they used  Spode Stafford White china with a custom Downton Abbey crest but otherwise identical to the pieces you can buy online  See a selection here on eBay. Also on Lady Mary's tray is a tall cream jug from Royal Crown Derby with a distinctive panel on the side. The example above has a green colorway.  Here is another example with Red detailing.

Royal Crown Derby Panel Large Creamer
Royal Crown Derby Panel Large Creamer seen on eBay

Continue reading Get the look: Lady Mary Crawley’s Breakfast China →

1920s, Downton Abbey, Nostalgia

Downton Abbey: The Empire Typewriter

The Empire Typewriter as seen on Downton Abbey

The Empire typewriter patented in 1892 was seen on an early episode of Downton Abbey. The Empire typewriter was first manufactured by Williams Mfg. Co. , Montreal, Canada and Plattsburgh U.S. In 1924 production moved to British Typewriters Ltd. West Bromwich,Staffordshire, England

A similar one was seen on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-VINTAGE-EMPIRE-TYPEWRITER-PATENT-1892-shop-display-advertising-office-/151888060585
Reference:   http://www.typewritermuseum.org/collection/index.php3?machine=empire&cat=kf

1920s, Downton Abbey

Downton Style: Lady Rose Blouse

Lady Rose in Downton Abbey wears a ribbon trimed blouse
Lady Rose in Downton Abbey wears a ribbon trimed blouse

Lady Rose's braid trimmed blouse in Downton Abbey looks easy to emulate. Unlike many of the elaborate costumes worn by the cast here is a blouse idea that could be copied using a plain long sleeved pullover blouse as the base.  If your blouse does not have a square neckline you will have to cut a square neckline in front and finish the edge with a hand-rolled hem. as seen in the close-up picture above. Then hand stitch or machine stitch braid or ribbons in similar colors as seen on Lady Rose above and you have wearable Downton Style!

1950s, Audrey Hepburn, Vintage Kitchen

Audrey Hepburn’s Enamelware Salt Box

Audrey's kitchen saltbox is seen on the wall to the right of the picture. Circa 1953, "Actress Audrey Hepburn at home preparing and serving coffee and cake." From photos by Earl Theisen for Look magazine

Audrey is seen in her kitchen preparing coffee for guests. On the wall to the right there is an enamelware salt box. I saw a very similar one on eBay HERE also pictured below. Vintage enamelware pieces can easily be found on eBay and add a retro vintage look in your kitchen.

Enamelware Salt Box on eBay - click picture for details.
Enamelware Salt Box on eBay - click picture for details.
1950s, Audrey Hepburn, Franciscan Pottery, Hollywood, Nostalgia, Vintage Kitchen

Audrey Hepburn’s ‘Blue Denmark’ Sugar Bowl

audrey-in-the-kitchen
Audrey Hepburn in the Kitchen - A 'Blue Denmark' Sugar Bowl on the table Photo: Circa 1953, "Actress Audrey Hepburn at home preparing and serving coffee and cake." From photos by Earl Theisen for Look magazine.

In the 1935 photo above Circa 1953, "Actress Audrey Hepburn at home preparing and serving coffee and cake." From photos by Earl Theisen for Look magazine, there is a "Blue Denmark" pattern pottery sugar bowl on the table in her kitchen. The pattern is called ' Blue Denmark' and it is likely in the blue and white color because there are also a couple of Willow pattern cups and saucers which would match the blue nicely. The currently known pattern ‘Blue Denmark’ originates in Copenhagen, Denmark and dates to the 19th Century but the pattern is reputed to have been brought to Europe from the China or Japan in the 18th Century.  Pieces in this pattern were made by Royal Copenhagen . The pattern was also used by Staffordshire potteries, Furnivals in England and by Franciscan Pottery in USA among others.

franciscan-denmark-sugar-bowl
Franciscan Blue Denmark Sugar Bowl - lid missing - seen on eBay

You can serve the sugar in a bowl like Audrey's, there is a vintage Franciscan Denmark sugar bowl on ebay HERE