I Love {Blue Willow}

The way I see it, Blue Willow is a citadel of classic Southern china.  Around for the last two hundred years or so, it seems that down in Dixie most good, Southern girls have at least a piece or two in their collection.  I mean, the very same, pure white clay used to make the china is one of Georgia’s largest natural resources!

Mother, a Blue Willow lover herself, started collections for Sister and me long before we were even married.  We have loads of the lovely porcelain in a bevvy of shapes, forms and sizes to not only dine from, but to decorate with.  On last count, I had nineteen place settings of my own, and I figure we could host a pretty grand soiree for about oh, say sixty, were we to combine our pieces.

Beyond just being gorgeous to look at, the china pattern is purported to tell the romantic story of a wealthy Mandarin whose daughter fell in love with a man outside of their social class.  The father built a fence around his house to keep the young lovers apart, as he arranged a wedding with a powerful and socially acceptable Duke.  The wedding was to take place on the day the blossom fell from the willow tree.  On the eve of said wedding, the daughter’s true love slipped into the palace unnoticed and the couple escaped, over a bridge to live happily for years.  Eventually the angry Duke, hungry for revenge, found the lovers and put them to death.  The Gods were said to have transformed the lovers into a pair of doves.  Now, how many plates also illustrate an ancient love story?!?!

When we registered for crystal and silver, Honey meekly logged a complaint that he thought my beloved Blue Willow plates were too busy to eat from and perhaps we should consider something less obtrusive (read: boring).  I promptly assured him that he wouldn’t give a hoot what the plates looked like when he sat down to a home cooked meal.  (And then I frantically started studying cookbooks to make good on my promise.  At that point I could barely boil water.)  Rest assured, we still dine on these plates day in and day out and Honey has kept his lips zipped about his china preferences.  (Who ever heard of a man with china preferences anyway?)

Mother, sister, bestie C, her sweet mother and bestie N all dine from the very same plates.  And if those gals aren’t Southern through and through, I don’t know who is.

xoxo

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21 thoughts on “I Love {Blue Willow}

  1. I had to laugh when you mentioned men not having china preferences. My football watching, guys guy of a husband actually wanted to be involved in choosing the china when we got married! I have no idea why! Since then he has barely stated an opinion about any decorating/household choice I have made (unless it cost too much) so I don't know where that whole china thing came from! His sisters still tease him about it! By the way, I love your blue willow and how you have it displayed! Have a nice weekend!
    -Shelley

  2. I can serve 24 on old Blue Willow, and I always get lots of compliments. I think food looks beautiful on it, and I love how it looks on different tablecloths or placemats–even at Christmas! Enjoy your pieces!

  3. Your home is beautiful and I enjoy reading about it. I have always liked Blue Willow (though don't own it). Is it made by Johnson Bros.? Never knew it was a "southern" favorite.

    I have noticed you have Spode Christmas tree (which I also collect) and Lenox Butler's Pantry. Have you had any problems with the Butler's Pantry chipping? My sister advised me not to get it for everyday since her set hasn't held up so well.

    Betsy

  4. Hi Betsy, Yes, my blue willow is by Johnson Brothers. We selected the Butler's Pantry as "fine china" when we registered for our wedding. We had loads of problems with it cracking and crazing and Lenox actually ended up replacing our entire set (EVERYTHING) for free about a year after our wedding due to manufacturing issues they had when ours was purchased. That's why I have so many extra pieces and platters hanging on the walls :-) Even our replacement set is pretty fragile. But my main complaint is that the dishes are so oversized that they don't fit well in the dishwasher! Anyhoo, thanks for stopping by and chatting with me about china :-) xo

  5. I found you via a linky party, not sure now which one, but I'm your newest follower. I love your home and how consistent your decorating is. Inspirational, for sure.

  6. My husband (who hunts, fishes, and could care less about furnishings in our house) also wanted to be a part of china selection when we married!!??? He said china has to have flowers on it! Who knew?

  7. Love, love , love this post. I am too am a lover of blue and white. I don't limit myself to Blue Willow, but I have plenty of it. You do an outstanding job displaying it.

    – The Tablescaper

  8. What a charming post! I've long been a fan of Blue Willow and one of my very first posts was about my parents and Blue Willow.
    For the record, my husband wanted a say in the china selection too. He has great taste, so it was a good thing. ;-)

  9. I also love blue willow china! I don't own a single piece (yet!) but we used to eat off of it when I was a child growing up in England. Now that I have a house of my own and am back in the States, I'm trying to track down some pieces of my own. I think it's just stunning and I loved your post :)

  10. Your are so right about Blue Willow. I can only serve about 6 people but I love my Blue Willow and have a couple of old pieces and a bowl which belonged to my great grandmother.
    Cute postand I like how you display yours. I uses most of mine for every day but did display a couple of pieces in my secretary for Fall.

  11. I have Blue Willow by various makers in my blue and white teacup collection, plus many other dishes and serving pieces. My aunt and uncle and one sister-in-law also use Blue Willow dishes.

  12. The only preference my husband has ever expressed about what he eats from is that it never be paper! You have a nice collection of Blue Willow, my all-time favorite transferware pattern.

  13. I guess my Northern roots show when I confess that vintage Blue Willow pieces decorate my walls, tables, hutches and shelves but we never EAT from them! I promise, I will use them on my new red snowflake tablecloth at Christmastime. :@

  14. I think this is beautiful! What a perfect pop of blue that it adds in your kitchen. And not to mention that it is simply gorgeous! Thanks for sharing this @ Show & Share! I am so happy that you did!

  15. I have always been a fan of blue willow and how lucky you are to have so many pieces. Love to see it displayed. I have the same cannister set as in your picture. Thanks for linking to the Open House party.
    xo,
    Sherry

  16. I am just finding your blog ( i know these posts are old) but I almost cant breathe bc I am so in love with your style and home!! You have also given me some FABULOUS/valuable info on where to get the BEST monogramming done (number four eleven) this is to die for! Anyway, love your blog! Newest follower=ME!

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