Vintage Milk Glass Vase with Dried Flowers

Vintage Feature – The Beauty of Vintage Milk Glass

Milk Glass Vase Rental

I remember the first time I heard the term “milk glass.”  My dear sister-in-law, Cathy, was packing up her house to move to the Outer Banks.  She showed me a vase and explained it was hobnail milk glass.  I recall thinking “what a cool name” and I think I even had her spell it since I had never heard “hobnail”, but it wasn’t love at first sight for me.  Of course, I said something like, “hmmm, that’s interesting” but I didn’t quite understand why anyone would collect a knobby white vase.  Like many twists in life, I never imagined I’d be building a collection of milk glass today for my business, Southern Vintage Table!

Since then I’ve educated myself a bit on this classic vintage glassware. I’ve learned that milk glass has been around since the 1500s but the term “milk glass” wasn’t coined until the twentieth century.  Although “milk glass” was popularized by the white milk-like color, the word “milk” doesn’t necessarily mean white; it means the glass isn’t transparent, but translucent. Here’s a little bit of chemistry trivia – they use either tin oxide or bone ash (yep, ashes of real bones) to give the glass that milky white color!

“Opal glass.” as it was called, comes in white, brown and black as well as in hues of green, yellow, pink and blue. It was invented in Venice in the 16th century, spread to France and England and then to America.  First considered collectables by the wealthy, many American companies began making less expensive milk glassware for the masses.  One highly, collectable and popular variety is Jadeite, which has a beautiful light green color.  Our collection is only white but I’m always on the lookout for the other colors.

Probably all of us have seen the many styles of milk glass vases. I’ve collected small bud to large bouquet vases, with wonderful designs and textures. Here are some from our collection!

Milk Glass Vase Rental NC

Milk Glass Vase Rental

I love the vintage compotes and serving dishes in the milky white color.  Food just looks extra delicious against the pure white of the dish!

Milk Glass Compote

Vintage milk glass goblets and small compotes are also lovely and can be used as either vases, planters, or small serving dishes!Milk Glass Compotes Rental

The purity of white vintage milk glass is a classic choice for so many special gatherings such as weddings, receptions, showers, anniversaries, and dinner parties. Invite Southern Vintage Table to help you set the table with this charming vintage accessory! More of our collection can be seen on our Pinterest Board.

Milk Glass Vase Rental

For more about milk glass, check out these resources!
Milk Glass Kitchen
Wikipedia
About.com Antiques

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Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Vintage Feature – New Additions to Southern Vintage Table

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental

It’s time to catch up with some of our new additions to our inventory here at Southern Vintage Table!  We have found a little bit of everything and we know you’ll love them all!

We added three new teacups to our growing collection of lovely china.  This one is gorgeous, inside and out, with its purple flowers and gold trim. This vintage set is by Royal Sealy China of Japan.

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental

Here’s a version of the Blue Willow pattern that I had not seen before. This pair of teacups were made in Occupied Japan, making them a bit of a collector’s item, and this dates them between 1945-52. I didn’t notice that detail until I brought them home because I was taken by their beautiful cobalt blue color with gold trim. What a nice surprise!

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental

It was an amazing week as far as pink glassware!  I found three Jeannette Glass Cube footed tumblers from the early 1930s.  The pair of pink embossed goblets are a little less vintage.  The pattern, Arbor by Noritake, was discontinued in the late 1990s.

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental

The next three finds are now in our vintage decor collection.  One is a vintage jug that would be perfect for a spray of flowers and the another is a vintage flour sifter. They belonged to Belle and they are probably from the 1930s-40s. The vintage wooden box is from a thrift store nearby – I love the rough, darkened wood!

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental

Found this trio of charming dessert plates at a flea market.  I love the hand-painted dogwood, something I can’t walk away from since the dogwood is our state’s official flower!  The pattern is Dixie Dogwood by Joni and although they’re a bit crazed, I appreciate their beauty.

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental

We added to our milk glass collection with these three vases.  Their regal design is a new one for me!

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental

Perhaps my favorite find is this beautiful, hand crocheted lace overlay.  It’s incredible!  I found it at a local thrift store so I do not know anymore than what I can see – but that’s saying a lot!

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China RentalThese and other unique vintage items are now available at Southern Vintage China.  Add a bit of beauty and history to your next happy occasion!

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Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Vintage Feature – Small Vintage Goblets are Perfect for the Wedding Toast

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental

We love vintage glassware!  The feel, the look and the history embodied in a tumbler or goblet speaks to us. So when a client asked if Southern Vintage Table had one hundred small clear vintage goblets for the toast at her wedding, we told her, “not yet, but we will!”  With this request from Rebekah an extra element of fun had been added to our vintage adventures.  Every thrift store and antique shop we have visited in the past month has been very focused as we search for the perfect collection of small vintage goblets.  Here are just a few we have found so far.

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental
This vintage Jenkins pattern is pre 1920!

We are almost there, Rebekah, with your one hundred small clear vintage goblets and we must admit, we’lll probably still be looking way beyond that count.  We definitely will be ready come September!

If you have an upcoming wedding, please contact Southern Vintage Table.  We have an extensive inventory of vintage china, silverware, glassware and linens, and if we don’t have exactly what you want, we’ll do our best to find it!

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Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Southern Vintage Table Event – Bass Family Thanksgiving Reunion

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

My first memory of our annual Thanksgiving family reunion is from the 1960s. The 9 of us, my mom and 8 children, piled into the car. With food dishes in our laps, we headed to Dunn to meet up with the rest of the Bass family. Grandma Susie and Grandpa Wiley lived in Dunn and we gathered at their church for our feast. As years passed, we have moved the location several times, from Durham to Efland to Chapel Hill and now Rolesville, but more than 40 years later, the gang continues this wonderful family tradition.

Since I started collecting plates for Southern Vintage Table, I envisioned using stoneware at a Southern family reunion. As my sisters and I planned this year’s gathering, I suggested we use this collection from the 60s, 70s and 80s to set our tables. With the array of vintage stoneware patterns in blues, golds, greens, browns and yellows, the table setting would also include vintage textured glasses, placemats and cloth napkins.

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Rowena, Sandy and I arrived at the Masonic Lodge late Wednesday morning and many hours later, we transformed the rustic meeting room for our 70 Bass relatives and friends. With help from Sandy’s friend, Rose, we covered the tables with brown paper and used placemats to color block the stoneware patterns. Between the sets of 6 plates we designed a simple, natural tablescape with magnolia leaves, pine cones, sweetgum balls and moss. With the striking orange lilies from Fernrock Farm, a cluster of magnolia leaves, twigs and vintage Mason jars, our tables were ready.

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC
Vintage stoneware dessert plates ready for pie, cake and other yummy goodies!

Here’s a collage of photos of the Bass family and friends before, during and after our Thanksgiving meal. After the meal and with everyone’s help, we quickly got the tables cleared, the dishes washed and packed, the floors swept and the furniture moved back into position. Thank you, Russ and Cait, for sharing your photos!

Since our first Thanksgiving reunion, several dear members of our family have left us and each time we get together, we honor them – Susie and Wiley, Jack and Neva, Toot and Maeline, Chester and Lois, Bill, Gerrie and Mike. To the folks visiting other relatives and to the ones who got snowed in, we missed you and hope to see you next year.

Once again, the Bass Family came together on Thanksgiving. We hugged, we feasted and we parted, feeling content and connected. ‘Till next year, Bass Family and Friends!

Planning a family reunion or a rustic wedding?  Consider using our stoneware collection at Southern Vintage Table!

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Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Vintage Feature – The Feel of Vintage Glassware

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC
Amber, green and blue textured vintage glassware

Armed with nearly a hundred receptors in each, your fingertips perceive your personal environment – soft or hard, cold or warm, pain or pleasure. While pain receptors help us know when we are hurt, receptors also help us feel pleasure – like when you pick up a textured vintage goblet or glass.

One distinguishing feature of many vintage patterns of glassware is texture – it can be cut or pressed glass, bumpy, or cubed. Vintage colors span the rainbow, with greens, yellows, blues, pinks, reds, and clear.  There are many, many patterns and here are some of our favorites of amber, green, and blue glassware at Southern Vintage Table.

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC
The green and gold are Milano and the blue is Driftwood.

I call this crinkle glass and have seen it described as lava glass, bark, or bumpy, but two official pattern names are Milano, manufactured by Anchor Hocking, and Driftwood by Seneca.  Both patterns come in varied colors and Southern Vintage Table has many in green, gold, blue, and clear.  I love the way this glass feels in my hand and how the light shines through it.

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC
Beautiful vintage blue glassware

Both the color and texture are noticed in these beautiful blue vintage glasses. The first pattern is Tartan by Anchor Hocking and the other goblet is Facets by Libbey/Rock Sharpe glassware.  The pattern names of the two circular tumblers are unknown.  Wouldn’t these all be lovely with vintage blue and white plates?

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC
Vintage Whitehall glasses

One of my favorite patterns is Whitehall Colony glassware.  It’s heft and cubed texture make it just perfect to sip any cold beverage.  The colors are also varied – harvest gold, amber, avocado green, light blue, emerald green, and clear.

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC
Country Garden in blue and amber

This happy vintage pattern is called Country Garden made by Libbey/Rock Sharpe.  Discontinued in the mid 1970s, this embossed flower pattern embodies the saying “flower power.”

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC
Colony’s Crown tumblers have rich hues of green, amber and blue.

One style of glassware that fits perfectly in your hands has a “thumbprint” indentation.  Colony’s Crown pattern is one and we have this lovely glassware in green, gold, and blue.  We also have goblets in green and bowls in amber.

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC
Provincial by Imperial Glass
Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC
We have Old Williamsburg in green and clear.

Imperial Glass has several patterns that use the thumbprint feel.  Two are Provinicial and Williamsburg.  Their green and amber colors are rich and the feel of the glass is impressive.

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC
Recent additions to our collection!

The final set of featured goblets are our most recent additions.  I found them at a thrift store and both the owner and I had never seen these!  They are very substantial and unusual with the coolest feet and pedestal.  The citron green goblet was manufactured by Franciscan Crystal in the 1970s and the pattern is called Madeira.  I cannot find the dark green goblet with the bark-like texture but I haven’t given up just yet!  It’s full of details and I’m certain I’ll eventually find out more.  Any help out there identifying is welcomed!

The sparkle on the table is the glassware and vintage glassware patterns give you much more – texture, heft, deep colors, and history!  These patterns and more are available at Southern Vintage Table for your guests’ pleasure and enjoyment!

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

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Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Vintage Decanters

Vintage Feature – Raise the Party Bar with Southern Vintage Table

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC
Beautiful vintage glass ice buckets and decanters

Having a party and want something that’s gonna raise the bar just a bit?  Pun intended, of course…  Consider renting vintage bar supplies from Southern Vintage Table.

We have vintage ice buckets and decanters; vintage relish dishes, snack bowls, platters and small snack plates; an eclectic mix of vintage stainless steel flatware; and vintage glassware.  We also have an assortment of tubs to chill your beer or other drinks for your guests.

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC
VIntage relish dishes
Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC
We have lots of green, gold and clear goblets.
Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC
Chilled beer in tub
Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC
Vintage decanters can be filled with spirits or used as a vase on your vintage bar!

So, throw a party in vintage style with a little help from Southern Vintage Table!  Check out our Pinterest board for more photos and ideas!

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Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Southern Vintage Event: Reisling Vintages with Vintage China

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC
Stacks of vintage china place settings are ready to set the table!

It was her turn to host the monthly wine club dinner and Rowena wanted to do something special for her friends. The wine club’s mission is to ferret out the best wines in every possible category. For each meeting the members contribute a dish for the meal and then they try different vintages of the featured wine.  A difficult task but these dedicated women are up for it!

This month’s featured wine was Reislings and what would make this festive event even more fun?  An assortment of vintage china!  Rowena arranged for Southern Vintage Table to set her table and each guest enjoyed a lovely unique place setting from our elegant collection with themes of pink and green.  The final “plat de résistance” to help uncover the best Reisling vintage – an assortment of vintage hats!

Southern Vintage China Vintage China Rental NC
The bold salad plate sets off the delicate flowers of the berry bowl and dinner plate.
Southern Vintage China Vintage China Rental NC
The soft greens and pinks of these vintage china patterns are exquisite.
Southern Vintage China Vintage China Rental NC
The greens in these vintage china patterns are highlighted by the striking pattern of the salad plate.
Southern Vintage China Vintage China Rental NC
A vintage china place setting with the vintage silverware – gorgeous!

Bottles of Reislings and a delicious meal on beautiful vintage china – the perfect recipe for a spirited time! Having a dinner party, book club meeting or wine tasting event?  Contact Southern Vintage Table for unique vintage china place settings that will get the conversation started!

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC
Vintage hats are ready for the guests!

Vintage Feature: The Blue Vintage China Table

blue willow set
Clementine would be pleased that her Blue Willow teapots will be enjoyed by many admirers of her favorite china pattern.

What do The Andy Griffith Show, The Munsters and old Westerns have in common?  Well, yes, they are all midcentury classic television but there’s something even cooler – they share a common dining table setting,  the Blue Willow vintage china pattern. These famous shows set their table with this blue and white pattern because it is crisp, vintage and full of history. First designed in the 18th century, Blue Willow has been on generations of family dining tables and continues to be popular today.  Read more about this fascinating pattern on Wikipedia.

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC
As told in the Blue Willow legend, star-crossed lovers were transformed into doves after their tragic deaths. According to Wikipedia, these birds did not appear on the early willow patterns.

There’s something special about blue vintage china that many folks appreciate.  Blue Willow features dark indigo against white that’s so striking. Blends of light blue vintage china are soothing and inviting.  Vintage turquoise has a romantic flair while blues with greens, pinks and yellows present a cheery table.

Whether it’s the classic blue and white vintage china table setting, a myriad of blue vintage china stoneware patterns or a mingling of soft elegant blue vintage china patterns, your guests will love it.  Check out more blue vintage china patterns available at Southern Vintage Table on our Pinterest Board! plate

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Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

A Vintage Adventure – Sold to Number 268!

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC
I found this in the box lot of dishes I got for $5.00. This certainly made up for the chair I didn’t mean to buy!

The seemingly small place was packed – with stuff, people and lots of chairs. I signed in and then made my way up to the front to take a look at the box lots. The items I came for were listed to go first so I wanted to make sure I was ready.  I sat down, listened and absorbed all the sounds and sights of the auction house. A gentleman sat next to me in a chair that was marked with his name – definitely someone who knew what he was doing – and I would be quickly thankful he did.

My hats came up. I raised my card with the number 268 but the auctioneer didn’t see me at first. Some of the folks at the front got worried for me so they let him know I was there. The rest was a bit of a blur, but I did end up winning the bid.  I wish I had a picture of my face when he said, “Sold to 268”.  I bet it was hilarious!  My friend then advised me to let them take the stuff to the side room so I could pick it up when I was ready to leave. Good advice.

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC
My husband remarked that this orange beauty was a bit over styled. Well, not if you want to be noticed!
Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental
Classic red and black with a little veil

He then showed me on the ticket where you could keep track of the items you won. He said it helped him keep from overspending his budget.  Yep – more good advice. My hands were shaking as I wrote down my first auction win.

I was a quick learner and started bidding on the other items I had seen in the box lots.  The pace is fast and you’ve got to have quick reactions.  I was so quick that I ended up with something I didn’t mean to win – don’t know how that happened – but I was thankful it was only $7.50.  I also learned that you don’t go back in the room to pick up your stuff but you have to wait outside the door – that lesson came a bit harshly but the lady brought my stuff to me with a somewhat apologetic face.

In addition to the hats, I also got a box lot of miscellaneous china and glassware – well worth my $5 bid, a chair – which I didn’t mean to win, and a $5 wrought iron aquarium stand that I’m going to turn into something cool.

I decided to leave before the big ticket items came up.  Baby steps, I thought.  It was my first auction, and undoubtedly, won’t be my last.  As I was leaving with my arms full of hat boxes, another gentleman said to me, “I could see you were having a good time in there!”  He must have seen my face…

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC
These plates are incredibly beautiful and the teacups are nice, too!

These hats, plates, bowls and cups are available for your next tea party or family dinner at Southern Vintage Table!

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Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

A Vintage Adventure – A Collection Builds One Piece at a Time

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC
My collection of green thumbnail tumblers begins with this one but I have several of the clear goblet pattern. It once came filled with Big Top peanut butter! We later found the cool tree bark pitcher at the local Goodwill.

It was our annual beach trip to Louise’s condo and all the yayas (Jami, Louise, Mary, Pat and me) were coming except for Cis, who was caring for her mother.  (Cis, we missed you!) This tradition is something we all look forward to each summer – hanging out with each other, cooking a seafood feast, talking school talk, watching a movie and sometimes even going on the beach.  For this trip, Jami and I added another diversion – thrift store hopping – although a few of the stores were anything but thrift, but they did have some beautiful vintage things that inspired us.

Our first stop was incredible – it was like a huge, dusty museum of vintageness.  Most things didn’t have a price and were covered by a thick coat of dust and grime.  The aisles were tight, the shelves were high and the piles were deep.  In other words, perfect – well, almost. The dust did get a bit obnoxious.

We were there for nearly 3 hours – looking mostly for china but marveling at all the cool stuff there, too.  Jami was on the hunt for the perfect tureen for her succulent garden.  We took our finds up to the front counter and quickly a pile was started.  In our collection were plates, teacups, glasses, a hat and a tureen without a lid. (Oops – that’s what happens when your hands are full and you have to move 10 things before you can get to what you wanted to see. They weren’t going to make us pay for the lid but Jami got the bottom for $2 which was the best deal we got!)

In the end, I got a few things, including some pink rimmed luncheon plates and two glasses.

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC
Vintage Fruit Luncheon Plates

So, I started two collections (green thumbnail tumbler which goes perfectly with the amber ones I already had and the square luncheon plates) and added to my Big Top Peanut Butter goblet collection.  A fruitful adventure, indeed!

These treasures are available at Southern Vintage Table for your next gathering!

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Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC