Clearing out the summerhouse to make way for a furniture photo studio means getting rid of most of the things I had out there.  The cane back sofa sold really quickly on craigslist.  The wicker chair was quick to go at my Carriage House sale.  But I also had a lot of vintage china out there.  I cleaned up most of it and attempted to sell it at my sale, but not much of it sold.  Sue is considering holding a shabby chic china sale at her house this summer, but if it still doesn’t sell, I may try to find one of those wedding rental companies that rents out china and see if they need platters.  But, in the meantime, I want to hang on to my favorite pieces which are all the ones with a bird theme.

Bluebird china was manufactured by over 50 different companies in the late 1800’s to the mid-1900’s.  It was generally used for everyday.  How lovely it would be to have an entire set of dinner plates to eat from!  But most of what I have is in pretty rough shape.  Not something that I’d actually want to use.  It’s pretty to look at though.

Not all of my bird china features blue birds though.  These pieces have pretty green lovebirds.

This bluebird is tucked in amongst the flowers.

And this one has the most delicate ghost of a landscape behind him.

 And here is another sweet pair of lovebirds.

Since I couldn’t bring myself to part with these, I decided to make room for them in the pantry.  This dovetails nicely with two new decorating rules that I devised for myself after visiting Sue’s house.  Now, I made up these rules for myself.  In no way am I suggesting that you should follow them too.  You have to make your own rules.

Rule no. 1 – Keep black and white areas separate from colorful areas.

I need this rule because I have a split personality when it comes to decorating.  I love cheery, colorful, cottage, vintage farmhouse.  But, I also love white/grey colorless French Nordic.  The problem is, I can’t seem to pick a side and stick with it, and I don’t think the two work together in the same space.

So, in keeping with this rule, the pantry is now firmly in the colorful vintage farmhouse camp and includes my bluebird china.

Rule no. 2 – Keep collections together and display en masse.

Instead of splitting my chintzware between the summerhouse and the front porch, I now have all of it in the hutch on the porch.

I think both of these areas look more unified now.  And the color and patterns make me happy.

Which is not to say I don’t still love the black and white stuff.  Next on my list, choosing a spot to devote to these …