A few weekends ago we headed out for the one yard sale I would have time to attend before other engagements tied me up for the rest of the day. This one was out in the country at a small church. You know I love a church yard sale and this one had been advertised for weeks. We accidentally took the scenic route to the church. It made for a nice drive, but left me a little less time to shop. As it turns out, the weather cut my shopping time even more. What was a beautifully sunny morning turned into a thunder-rolling down pour. Just before the rain came, I found a set of Ironstone dishes. Since I knew this was going to be my only sale of the day and with the impending storm, I decided to call them mine, especially when I found out how many pieces were included. The entire set cost me $20. Look at these sweet little cups with the tea and coffee servers. You can see they are much smaller than the coffee cups in front.
What follows is a look at how versatile white or cream dishes can be. I quickly set up three different looks using these thrifted Castleton Independence dishes. Mixing them with dishes in other patterns and/or colors also lends to their versatility for future settings. I hope you enjoy these three sample settings featuring my new Ironstone.
Setting One
Using placemats, napkins and hotel flatware all found at yard sales. The berry bowls hold beaded lemons found at a thrift shop.
Here you can see some of the canisters and covered casserole that also came with this set. The birdcage centerpiece was a yard sale purchase; it is filled with birds from Michael’s.
Setting Two
Blue and white is one of my favorite combinations. You can see in the background some of the extra plates that came with this set. There were also four canisters and a small rectangular vegetable dish.
I have used placemats which I have had for years and some thrifted blue Pier I napkins. The little blue bowl is a Fortessa outlet purchase. I used the same flatware as the previous setting.
For the centerpiece I used a large piece from the set which is almost a vertical tureen. There was no lid with this piece so it makes a perfect flower container. For this setting I’ve used some hydrangeas and greens.
Setting Three
This final setting is ready to usher in the Fall season. The placemats are from the dollar store, the napkins and napkin rings are thrifted. The yard sale flatware is the same as used in the previous two settings.
The leaf shaped candles were also a yard sale purchase.
The lidless vertical tureen was called into action as a vase again. Here a mixture of flowers from Michael’s works beautifully for an easy arrangement for the botanically challenged like me.
I hope you have enjoyed seeing how versatile a set of cream or white dishes can be. In one afternoon I quickly put together three different looks using mostly thrifted items. Just imagine what wonderful settings you could create when spending a little more time!
I hope to join the parties at Flea Market Finds at Her Library Adventures, Apron Thrift Girl’s Thrift Share Monday, Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality, Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays at Coastal Charm, Thrifty Thursday at Tales from Bloggeritaville, Thrifty Things Friday at The Thrifty Groove, The Penny Worthy Project at Hey, What’s for Dinner Mom?, A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday, and Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.
Tammy
Tammy Loves Dishes 
What a great set of white dishes you found. $20 with all those pieces is amazing! White is so versatile!
Love the dinner service and what a great price. All of your place settings were beautiful but I liked number three the best. I must start looking at dinner sets while thrift shopping. You did well the set is beautiful.
I really love those dishes. I hope I come across some like that, you are right they are really versatile. I think place setting #1 is my favorite.
What a lucky find for only $20!!! I love setting number two the most but this is clearly a year round set 🙂
$20 what a bargain! They look great on your table.
E 🙂
What a beautiful set of dishes you found; you’ll be able to pull them into action any time! You sure were in the right place at the right time. Love the look of all your pretty table settings.
Tammy, You got a steal. I love white or cream dishes. I love how you showed 3 different looks. Just beautiful. I know you will enjoy your dishes. I have some cheap white dishes and I love the versatility.
Karen G @ It’s Still Life
Wow what a great set for $20! I would have snatched it up quick too! Everyway you have styled it looks great, I am sure you will get a lot of use out of such a great set.
Thanks so much for stopping by and for your nice comment, I can’t wait to get to use the bag and bracelet this fall!
🙂 Michelle
Ironstone is such good stuff–it should last for a long long time! I love that coffee pot in the first picture!
Gorgeous! I can see you already have had a lot of fun with those dishes!!
Hi Tammy, what a treasure you found. I love all of your table settings, have to say my fav is with the blue mixed in.. ironstone is such a great tool to work with in tablescapes.. hugs ~lynne~
I LOVE THIS!! Such a great set! You’re right, they are extremely versatile. I’ve never heard of Ironstone, but now I want some. Love that they’re octagons. So obsessed.
I love all three place settings you created! I’m trying to pick a favorite, but I can’t. They’re all fabulous!
Cream dishes are so versatile; I own a couple of sets myself.
Jane at frugalfineliving.com
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$20 for all that? Wow! What a bargain. And you are right, so versatile too and so pretty…Christine
What fun getting to see three seeings, and I love them ALL! And what a great price, too!
Happy Tablescape Thursday to you…
XO,
Sheila
Amazing! What a find, all those pieces and for $20.00. Thank you for showing us, in one post, the many ways the white can be used. I think this will be a workhorse of a set. Thanks for your visit and sweet comments.
Have a great week, Ginger
Oh Tammy what a steal of a deal! And nothing beats white or off white pieces for tablescaping! And all of the extra pieces to boot!!??
Thanks for stopping by for a visit!
Kathe
What a great thrifty find Tammy! The dishes are perfect for so many wonderful tablescapes! All of your examples are just lovely!
All that for a mere $20? Tammy! Tammy! WHAT…A…DEAL!!!!!!! If the previous owner sees your blog with all you did with the dishes, she’ll want them back! All 3 looks are fantastic, and I’m sure you’ll come up with a billion more! Have fun!
Great buy on the versatile ironstone…love the octagonal shape!
Great find! Are you going to LOVE setting the table with those beautiful dishes! Love the shape and your three for one table settings.
You hit the jackpot with those white dishes!!!! I love all the ways you can use them. My fav is the blue and white. The little cups and saucers are for hot chocolate and they are the real find in my book!
The shape on these is lovely, they have a really nice vintage look.
Thank you so much for visiting me. You have demonstrated how well white or cream are really all we NEED, even though most of us have others. Beautiful settings.