My recent kitchen appliance win and subsequent (already planned) kitchen renovation has rung all kinds of changes here.
First of all, the appliances had to be chosen. We used the Neff win to offset some expenses in our business, using the savings on those upgrades, to buy the oven of my dreams. Now in a cooler climate, this would be an Aga. But Aga make a version for warmer climates, called the Falcon. We had $6,000 to spend, and lo and behold, when we walked into the showroom to make our selection, here was this divine Navy Blue Falcon range, reduced from $8,600 to $6,000. I tell you. That thing was meant to be mine.
We had already started painting the kitchen and kitchen furniture in a flat white...
...and just knew that the Navy Blue oven was going to become the feature. I think it will look fabulous. We will be building a traditional French Farmhouse arch in which to house it. Very much like this...
My oven is double the size of the one above though, so it will be quite imposing!
So, how to continue that theme through to the open plan living and dining area?
Well there are plans afoot to extend the dining room and build a 16 seat distressed dining table to house our large family. Chandeliers are in the mix too, which I am beyond excited about.
So blue and white themed china is the order of the day.
Well. Can I tell you, there ain't much out there that doesn't cost a bomb. Alternatively, I'm stuck with patterns that I don't like anyway, in an effort to keep to my budget.
Which is where this nifty Porcelain pen comes in.
Now I have seen on Pinterest that you can use a Sharpie to decorate china, so perhaps buying the specialty pen was not necessary. I do have some Sharpies, so they'll get a look in as well.
But meanwhile, I set about drawing on my existing plain white plates, imitating some of the patterns I'd been admiring online.
This one was inspired by the Royal Copenhagen pattern below. I think I've captured the elements that I liked in this design, whilst also making it my own with small changes, as seen above. To buy this pattern, I'd be looking at 85 Euros per plate. I need 16. Plus spares. You do the calculations...eeek!
This pattern below, is part of the same range. So, you see, it is meant to be a mix and match look.
A serving platter like this one below, again in the same pattern range, I'm looking at 299 Euro.
I see my KMart $20 platter getting a makeover. How about you?
This Royal Doulton pattern, just lots of tiny dots, would set me back $179 for four place settings. And that's on sale.
I don't need the cups and bowls anyway, so that would be a waste. Here's my take on the Dots...
Cute Scandinavian inspired dinnerware for kids can be ridiculously expensive too. For what it is, at least.
This Hedgehog plate costs $17. Not bad. But still.
My granddaughters will love their French Inspired Blue Cat just as much I think.
And of course, the advantage in decorating your own china, is that everyone can have a go if they like. Here's the one my 17 year old daughter did this morning. Well, why not?
Plain white dinnerware is always available. I saw some at KMart on the weekend, for 75c each piece. At $10 for the pen, and a bit of time, how can you go wrong?
It certainly beats $100 AUD per plate! And what memories you can make to boot.
We are having a ball decorating our own unique dinner service. What do you think? Will you attempt your own one of a kind china decorating?
You might have a family heirloom in the making.
