Dining Room Dishes & New Rug

by | Nov 24, 2013 | Dining Room, My House | 73 comments

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A few weeks ago, I received an Anthropologie catalog in the mail.  I couldn’t resist flipping through it and I found these dishes…


You know why they caught my eye…blue and white, yes.  I also loved the hand painted scrolled detail and little foxes on the bottom.  They were a nice bridge between classic and current and I loved them.  I immediately went to the website and put some bowls, dinner plates and salad plates in my cart.  The total was somewhere in the neighborhood of $300.  I just couldn’t do it, so I emptied the cart and put the dishes out of my mind.

Fast forward a few weeks and I was browsing around the clearance section on the Anthropologie site, looking for a dress Ella had picked out for me.   And, I spotted THE dishes!  They were 50% off, so I went for it.  Even at 50% off, they were still expensive, so I bought strategic pieces that I could mix with the other dishes I already have.  They are sold out now (Sorry!), so I am glad I jumped on them when I saw them.  Here’s how they look in my dining room…

…and I got my new jute rug on Wednesday from Joss & Main.  I had some credits stored up, so I got it for free!  (Anyone can earn $15 credits when people they refer to sign up purchase something)  Here’s how it looks in place of the tattoo bamboo mat…

Now, I’m on the hunt for the right end chairs.  I want something like wing chairs that are petite in scale, but I’m having trouble finding something that isn’t crazy expensive.  My plan is to look for a pair second hand that I can slipcover.  I’m keeping an eye on Craig’s List and that will be the top item on my list when I shop at the flea market and antique stores in Raleigh after Thanksgiving.

On a personal note, we decided to nix TV and video games for our boys a couple of months ago.  There’s nothing wrong with TV, but we came to the realization that when we’re sending them off into the world, we’ll never say, “Boy, I wish we had allowed them to watch more TV.”  I also realized I used it as a crutch when I needed to get things done and that’s a choice made for my benefit, not theirs.  I still watch TV when they go to bed, but the lack of it when they are awake has made room for some really sweet time with them.  It’s been so fun watching them fill their time with Lego building, super hero battles, making paper airplanes and my dad recently taught them to play chess.

That means I needed a major brush-up on chess.  My husband was laughing as I barely beat my five year old this afternoon…chasing his king all over the board.  He would puff up his cheeks and widen his eyes as I was about to make a dumb move.

At first I thought my boys were chess prodigies, but, as my oldest son pointed out, “Mommy’s not very good at chess, so I need to help her.”

“That’s right, buddy.  Mommy has things she’s good at, but chess is not one of them!”

 Sweet times…

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    73 Comments

    1. breidag@breidawithab.com

      Well, I didn’t like the catalog photo at al… but they look FANTASTIC in your dining room! Less is definitely more!
      and YAY, FOR NO TV!!!!
      -b

    2. Jessica @ Dear Emmeline

      The dishes are so fun and look fabulous in your dining room!

    3. Lisa

      I’m no good at chess either. 🙂

      The dishes are perfect for your dining room! Good call.

    4. Marisa

      Nooooo!!!!! I love the bamboo rug! It was so you! This one is dull and boring! Sorry Marion I’m not loving this. I do love the plates though!

    5. Kristine

      Gorgeous dishes and beautiful photos Marian (as always).
      I love jute rugs (already have three in my little house!) so perhaps I’m biased though I adore the chunky texture of this one in your dining room.

    6. Grisel Levene

      Sweet dishes and the rug is wonderful–great texture without too much added color! I did the same thing with my boys 20 years ago and I am so happy I did! I have too great guys who don’t know how to be bored!!

    7. Cheryl

      Love the dishes and the new rug. Score with the half off deal!

    8. Charity@DandelionFarmhouse

      Those dishes make my heart swoon and I love the rug choice! Good idea to just purchase pieces to mix with your white dishes.

    9. Kate

      I love your new dishes! They’re delicate but with a really grounded boho feel. So gorgeous.

    10. Teresa

      I love the new jute rug and find it anything but boring. I didn’t hate the bamboo rug but I didn’t love it either. Your decision to nix TV and electronic games for your boys is a wise move. Its so sad to see a family in a restaurant and no one is speaking to one another (parents included) because everyone has their head down texting or gaming. I just wonder how we expect our youth to develop any social skills. Sad.

    11. Jeanna

      I love the rug! Crazy about the texture, and the size is much better for the room.

    12. Jaime Costiglio

      So glad you switched out the rug, I mentioned it a few weeks back and happy you agreed. I have the exact same chunky jute in my living room. I will admit the thickness takes getting used to but I love the texture against your table legs. And of course the dishes are just beautiful. Happy day.

    13. kelly

      I love the rug and the dishes 🙂

    14. Courtney

      Marian, I wanted slender wing chairs for our dining room also. I bought parsons chairs with a bit of a wing from Home Decorators. They are custom made when you order and have lots of different fabrics. I chose the classic linen and the upholstery is gorgeous. Home Decorators is one of my favorite sources for furniture at great prices – they have killer sales! I paid just $200 per chair and had free shipping, so if you do order, wait until a sale or special (they have them constantly) to get the best deal. We love ours and they are so elegant looking but super comfy. Don’t know if that’s what you’re looking for but thought I’d share! Here’s the link: http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Custom_Wingback_Parsons_Chair_with_Skirt/490/
      -Courtney
      PS- I’m the gal who sells with Abbe Doll, that she bought a French tea towel from your Chapel Market stash for : ) I love it!

    15. kristen

      Love the new rug soo sooo much!

      We also recently gave up tv for the same reason. I feel like my days are so much longer now. Not longer as in boring, but longer as in more “full”…I guess because I am less distracted and we are not bringing all that “junk” into our home. It’s been an amazing change for us 🙂

    16. May

      Beautiful plates and bowls…and I love Chess, maybe one day we can play 🙂

    17. Kathy M

      I LOVE your jute rug in your dining room—excellent choice! If you decide you don’t have time to look for and reupholster wing chairs, Joss and Main/Ballards/Marshalls/TJ Maxx all have some great smaller-scale upholstered chairs that might fit the bill. I even remember seeing some at TJ Maxx last spring that were blue + white!

    18. Patricia

      Love the new dishes. I think mixing them with the plain plates works. Love your flatware. I think I remember a post about them but couldn’t find searching silverware or flatware. Are they new or vintage?

    19. Erica

      Ok, I can’t resist…
      What does the fox say? Pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty!
      Great job!

    20. Sarah

      I do love the new rug…great texture. Can someone speak to its care, staining or showing water marks? Pet and kid friendly? Thanks for help as we are furnishing a home and really want to carefully buy with style and durability.

    21. Melissa

      Haven’t had tv for about a decade. We still watch an occasional movie, but my 4 kids are better off spending their time learning, using their imaginations,and helping around the farm. You won’t regret your decision. Our friends and family will still ask us if we have seen such and such…and then it’s like, “Oh, yeah…I forgot you don’t have tv.” While they inwardly think…weirdo! You will also find that your kids will be more content without being bombarded by commercials every day.

    22. Courtney

      Marian, I wanted slender wing backs for our dining room too. I ordered two parsons chairs with slender wings from Home Decorators. They are custom made when you order and have lots of fabric choices. I chose the classic linen and the upholstery is just gorgeous. They are extremely comfortable and give a really elegant feel to our dining table. Home Decorators is one of my favorite sources for furniture at a good price. They have all sorts of sales and specials all the time so I only paid $200 per chair and had free shipping. I can send the link if you’d like (I tried to post this once before and it doesn’t seem to be appearing so I’m wondering if your spam filter thought the link was spam). They might be what you’re looking for!

    23. Catherine

      I love the texture the rug brings to the room! The dishes are awesome, that fox is so fun!

    24. Debbie Pankey

      Marian, I visit your site often because you are so gracious to help all of us learn the skills we need to decorate our homes like a pro and on a budget! Your home is beautiful. You are an awesome mentor to us with our decorating needs but I think you are even a more awesome Mom! You are very wise about TV. Can’t wait to visit again and see what your next project will be. Thanks for being a blessing to me!

    25. Olivia

      I bought my dinnerware on clearance from anthro and had to call three stores before I could piece together the complete set. No regrets though; it’s subtle in color yet the small design details make it really special. The only thing that worries me is if I break a piece finding a replacement will be really difficult.

    26. Theresa Nardone

      Love the jute rug, how does it feel underfoot? Is it scratchy? I really do likes the chunky texture of this one. We used to have an outdoor rug under our dining room table, couldnt find that many square rugs. W have a square table. My cousins grew up without a tv in Vermont, and we were always in awe of what they did all day! My kids are usually outside weather permitting and digging or doing some sort of fixing with tools. No Legos yet, still too young, but I look forward to those days.

    27. Gwen, The Makerista

      I LOVE those dishes and the rug is such a nice look. Different, but it seems warmer and more welcoming to me.

      I like hearing about your boys and the fun things you do together. Chess, huh? That’s amazing. When I was little, I was in a chess club at school – nerdy? a little. – and some of my fondest memories are practicing with my dad.

    28. Jan Lyden

      Hi Marian and all your readers,
      I was at Oakbrook Center in Oak Brook, Illinois this past week and stopped by Anthropologie and I saw your fox/blue dishes on clearance if you or any of your readers are interested.

    29. Lisa

      Thank you for always inspiring us! I love your blog and check it everyday. Your dining room is beautiful. I like the new dishes but not the new rug. To me it feels like something one would see anywhere, nothing special. I always appreciated the bamboo rug because it stood out and was completely different. In a way it had personality and attitude! It was the rug you expect in a designer house. This is just my two cents.
      I hope you don’t mind my frankness 🙂

    30. Gina

      The rug is perfect. The dishes are lovely. No tv for the kiddos is one of the best decisions you will ever make. You will have no regrets on this one. Our son hasn’t watched tv since he was two and that was only occasionally. For his little mind to not be infiltrated with all that garbage was one of the best decisions we made. Restoring purity is priceless.

    31. Alexis K

      Any chance you’re selling your current ‘end’ chairs? I LOVE them and would love to add them to my current miss mustard seed collection 🙂 Not sure if you remember me,but i’ve got the yellow and white dresser that’s in your book. I ADORE it! 🙂 Your dinning room is looking amazing. I love all the little touches! -Alexis

    32. Anna @ A Good Home

      Gotta say, I really like this rug more than the other. I know it was part of your perceived “signature style,” but I’m a huge lover of chunky jute rugs! Good choice 🙂

      Let the controversy continue!

    33. Anne Boykin

      Dear MMS, Well, I love the changes! I love the new rug and the dishes are to die for – so you. Sometimes you’ve just got to shake things up. You have such great taste that it will always turn out beautiful. Like my husband says about cooking, if you like all the ingredients then you’ll probably love the result. You have a great eye for the ingredients. Hugs, Anne Boykin

    34. suzie dyer

      HI: I love the new rug, but I’m confused. I remember last week you mentioned a hotel you stayed in that had a jute rug from Pottery Barn and you were going to give more info about it this week. Is this the same rug you are referring to? I was waiting to hear about the Pottery Barn rug. Did you get one from there too and just haven’t blogged about it yet? Thanks.
      Suzie

    35. Miss Mustard Seed

      Ha, sorry! Yes, I have bought the Pottery Barn heather chenille jute rug for the family room. The one in the dining room I ordered a few weeks ago from Joss & Main. It’s nice for a dining room, but a little too junky for a family room where you’ll be playing on the floor. The PB one is softer and flatter, much more suited to how we use that room.

    36. Brandi @ Nest of Bliss

      What a change a new rug and a pop of colour can make! I am enjoying along with your dining room changes. It was beautiful before, but will be gorgeous after!

    37. Talitha

      Love the rug! I have a jute rug too. It is a bit messy, I try not to sit on it with black pants when I play with the kids, and when I finally decided to lift it to vacuum underneath it (not on my daily… weekly… list), I was shocked at the amount of sand like stuff and pieces that had accumulated. Wouldn’t put it under my dining table for that reason. BUT o the looks, I’m still so in love with the looks!! Really don’t mind the cleaning! Same story with my white sofa; yes, I need to wash the covers regularly, but again…. am hopelessly in love with it 🙂
      We don’t have a TV either. Not just for the children’s sake, but I know how much time I would spend watching it 🙂 Not right for everyone, but just fine for our family.

    38. Gillianne

      Lovely stuff from Anthropologie; congrats on your fortunate timing. It reminds me of the holiday china my mother bought when she was young, because it was (then) inexpensive. It’s now collected and known as a phoenix or turkey pattern: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/200676699707?lpid=82. It brought a smile of fond memories to see the pieces you’ve added. (P.S. Agree totally on TV and video game time, though that’s not an easy position to maintain these days.)

    39. Tanya

      Love those dishes! They would be perfect for me in red.

      We don’t have any cable or satellite, only netflix, which we limit. I love that they don’t see commercials. I love that they don’t just sit and watch whatever happens to be on if I leave the room. We did a month without any electronics at all (I was excepted for weather, news and limited facebook use – need to stay in touch with my adult children and granddaughter). What an eye opener that month was. Toys that hadn’t been touched for a long time were played with again, books were read, things were made, and imaginations were used more than ever. Now we try to keep a balance. Some movies and documentaries at the end of a day to watch together, a show for the Littles as a treat, and once in a great while something just for my husband and I. I do dream of completely removing the TV, but we aren’t quite ready for that.

    40. Michelle | Birds of Berwick

      The dishes and your new rug look great, but I really love the no TV and video games. I’m trying to instill some of that in myself too since I felt like I was watching too much. I like The Voice, but I had to nix it with multiple 1-2 hour episodes per week?? I felt like a huge couch potato! 🙂
      To fill the time, I’ve been doing other things like trying out your milk paint line! I finally refinished a dresser I got of CList in July! Thanks for a great product! I love our “new” piece now!

      http://www.birdsofberwick.com/2013/11/25/dressing-it-up/

    41. Nancy

      I have a pair of wingback slipper chairs that would look lovely at the ends of your table – but alas – I’m in Texas!

    42. Jenny B.

      Everything is so pretty! 🙂 I would love to hear more about the no TV / video games. How did you get your kids to go along with it without meltdowns / rebellion? Or, did they, and you just held firm? I know my boys watch WAY to much TV, and I think it would be really hard to implement a no TV policy in the house. Do they get to watch TV / play video games at all? On certain days? After certain things are finished? Or just not at all? Sorry for the inquisition — this is just something my family struggles with, so I’d love to hear more about how you’re doing it. 🙂

      • Jill S.

        I’m not Marian but we have done something similar with our kids. If you really want to break the reliance on TV and electronics, I really believe that you need to go cold turkey (highly suggest mom and dad at least drop TV as well as an example). Several years ago, we went for about 4 months with nothing and then we slowly added an occasional video to watch as a family. There are lots of resources online regarding ideas for TV free weeks; I’d start there. Advent might be a good time to plan fun things daily that they can look forward to. We read aloud to our kids a LOT and Christmas a really fun time for reading–so many great books. We read books way above our kids reading level (they can comprehend much higher than they can read themselves). We have typically done one hour of computer games on Saturday (and they don’t even always do that). We homeschool; if they don’t get their school done by Sat., then no computer. Some times I have tied in a certain number of minutes with completing household chores so they can make the connection that it’s an activity that follows work (sort of like a “paycheck” for a child–good connection to start making at a young age). Good luck! Another fun idea might be to help your kids make their own movies–act out a story or book you’ve read. When they watch their production, it gives them some media time but it’s also a creative and collaborative activity. Good luck!

      • Miss Mustard Seed

        I’ll be honest. It was a scary step, because I really relied on TV to keep them entertained when I needed to work, but it became the default in our house and we decided it was time to make a change. The boys whined about it the first week, but now they don’t even ask. We have a family movie night once a week and occasionally we’ll watch a Veggie Tales or something like that.

        I would encourage you to try it with your kids. My boys keep themselves entertained sooo much better than they did with TV and the house has been more peaceful. It’s really made a big difference.

    43. Michelle Fitzgerald

      I love the dishes. You’re a great inspiration. I will say that I am not crazy about the new rug. Jute rugs are a dime a dozen. The bamboo rug was just so original. I loved it so much that I bought one and it is in my dining room. I am decorating around that bad boy. Just my humble opinion.

    44. pat

      So love blue and white anything! Is the jute uncomfortable on bare feet? Noticed you don’t use placemats………I can sort of see why since your table is so beautiful! The white plates are like chargers? Love your website and all your beautiful things! Happy Thanksgiving. PS: So proud of you about the TV deal! Wish I had done that.

    45. Helen Williams

      I love the dishes and the rug. I recently went with jute rugs in my dining, living room and a hall. I love the look. My husband isn’t as convinced as I am but agreed it would be okay. My only problem has been that they shed really badly. I am hoping that eventually they will not!

    46. Jelena

      I LOVE those “foxy’ dishes!
      …And they go so well with all of your other decor.

      I also think the new jute rug look a little “calmer” than the bamboo rug did in that spot. The bamboo one was just a tad too busy.

    47. CindyK

      The dishes are fabulous, what luck! And two thumbs up on the jute rug, love it. We have an Ikea version in the dining room; it’s the perfect neutral plus it cleans up and wears beautifully.

    48. Tere Flores

      I just love the way you think, “Outside the box.” I mean I have so many sets of dishes that when I see other sets I like sometimes I end up buying them. Now I’m going to use your approach buy “strategic pieces” to complement what I already have. Thanks for the tip. BTW love the way your table looks.

    49. Sydney Catlett

      Love everything you do! Would like to know what pattern your flatware is; it is so elegant.

    50. Kathryn

      Also no TV in our house for decades (DVD’s yes). Never bought any video games for my kiddos. Ever. Archaic? Probably. And this was not due to poverty in case someone jumps to that conclusion; it was our parental decision. My kiddos (both when they were young and now as young adults) sure know how to create, debate, cook, work, and fill time with wonderful ideas, activities, practices, and service. And talk about chess! Whoa…that is one game worth learning. Talk about skills: strategy, problem solving, healthy competition, and no one dies or is magically resurrected without suffering any pain (which seems to occur in the virtual world). The no-TV-no-electronic-gaming is a tough decision in today’s modern society where many parents put the kiddos in front of the TV in exchange for spending valuable time with them (this is not a judgment, just an observation). So kudos to you and the many moms out there that are staying home to nurture their families, finding creative ways to increase family income, and changing the face of America from working, exhausted moms with little energy to empowered moms that raise terrific kiddos. I think our future looks pretty bright!

    51. Jan Ross

      Purr-fect especially with your new muslin seat covers! Perfectly matched in indigo and linen off white. And on sale – how wonderful!

    52. Marisa Franca

      It is so great to get a great deal on something you really want!! It must have been fate – you were at the right website and the right time. The dining room looks great with that rug.

    53. Barbara Z.

      Another post that’s inspired and entertained me! Love your style and congrats on the dish deal!
      Driving home from our daughter’s summer camp years ago, we were surprised to hear she won the camp chess award… When questioned about where she learned to play, she readily admitted, “I didn’t… I was the only one who signed up, so I won!”

      • Flor de Maria

        Very funny 🙂

    54. KATHY B.

      Happy Thanksgiving!! I enjoy reading your posts!! The dishes look wonderful!

    55. Amy Morgan

      I am so envious of your dishes…..and rug…..and table……and silverware. Well, I LOVE it all! Happy Thanksgiving!

    56. Scribbler

      I grew up without a TV, and I thought it was a horrible thing — that it made me a social outcast. MY father was a fanatic: ” It makes your mind lazy — go read! ” Now I thank God every day that I had this man for a Father. Your kids will benefit so stick to your guns. As proof that life and the gods have a sense of humor — my son (who also loves to read) is a TV and movie producer!

    57. Kerry

      What a sweet post Marian. You are always inspiring me. Thank you for that. Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

    58. French Grey

      Congratulations! Not everyone can turn the TV off! We did for several years and I never regretted it, especially since we home schooled and did not need the distraction.My daughter found enjoyment reading the dictionary and my boys loved lego! In fact when my son entered the Air Force his supervisor said “let’s see if you’re a Lego kid or Video kid” Lego all the way!
      ~Cindy

    59. JaneEllen

      Must have been Karma that let you get those dishes you wanted 1/2 off. Happy for you. I was raised by depression era parents so even when I might have some extra money (believe that doesn’t happen now days), I still look for bargains or don’t buy at all. There’s always that little voice telling me not to pay more than I have to.
      Love your new dishes, your rug, table, all of it as another commentor said. I really miss our KY house that had a nice sized dining room right off the kitchen. I could hang things up, decorate, you name it. In our mfg. there is no dining area. We bought what we could afford here, it’s ridiculously expensive to buy a home here. At least for SS income livers.
      I enjoy seeing all your awesome things, you work hard you deserve nice things being a young Mother and Wife. There are things I’d like to but have to practical and live with what we can afford, not want.
      Love your new photo, you look much younger. If I’ve already told you that please excuse a senior moment. Happy Thanksgiving

    60. Rosemary Armesto

      Love, love it. I started collecting blue/white pieces. Didn’t really have a place to put them in a grouping and somethings just look better grouped together. But, I kept them and now…. I have a place for them in my new house. 😀 I’ve been collecting things I like for years, for someday, maybe…. This is my little dream house.

      As I am fond of saying of late. I’m on my last car, my last dog, my last house and my last leg. 😀 Bwahaa

      Thanks for sharing Cindy, you made me think, you made me laugh and you inspired me.

    61. sharon

      Good for you…I never allowed my kids cartoon nonsense and one hour only for a video game…I haven’t watched t.v. for four yrs. Sooooo much more gets done that way.

    62. MaryLisa Noyes

      The dishes look lovely with the solid white ones. I recognize the vintage hotel silver flatware from Pottery Barn, I believe. Looks terrific

    63. Linda Smith

      Love the blue and white dishes and the new rug. Great chioces and your dining room will look fabulous for entertaining!

    64. IrishMimi

      Terrific post w/ great decor & personal inspiration! I’ve been collecting & decorating w/ blue & white since before I was married (we’re about to celebrate our 40th!) from many many places – and it makes me smile to see it having a lovely & relevant place in a young wife’s heart & home. You won’t regret it — it will always look fresh and it looks beautiful in rooms painted almost ANY color; so versatile.

      You’ve had great luck finding lovely things on craigslist. It can be a great resource. I’d like to suggest you also regularly check your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore (if you have one). I recently SCORED BIG at mine. A local large law firm redecorated its offices and donated the furniture it was replacing to our Habitat ReStore. A friend & I each picked out two chairs (and there were at least 20 left) for $40 a piece. I felt we were getting a good deal as they were nice chairs in good shape & well-made in Martha Washington style (the covers were a bit tired & barely soiled from use – must have been in a rarely used conference room?) even figuring the added cost of fabric to recover (they’re in such good shape, we shouldn’t need much in the way of supplies for under the fabric == we’re going to work on them together; I’m going to teach her how to do it).
      I about choked when I saw the factory tags on the bottom when we lifted them into her minivan — they’re HICKORY CHAIR company! I choked again when I checked their new retail price on the internet!!!

    65. Lydia Langston

      I love the no TV and Chess. May be the best thing you have ever said. Just love it. PS. My grandchildren are on a no TV with Grandma. And so far they still love to come visit. 🙂

    66. Heidi

      Marian,
      the dishes are SO beautiful and very missmustardseed! What a good thing you waited and can now still call them “mine”. Love your photographs!
      Heidi

    67. Sylvia Marie

      I am so happy to read that you have more time with your boys, you’ll never regret it!!!! I wish i had spent more time with ours instead of keeping an spotless house!, I enjoy many of your post.

    68. Jill Hilbrich

      Ooh la la! I LOVE those dishes! Too bad there sold out, as of this summer, the dishes we received for our wedding were so badly depleted, I decided to start buyin replacements, only to discover that they’ve been discontinued. I’ve been looking for news ones. Happy you were able to get such a great deal!

    69. Loribeth

      So pretty!! I love buying dishes, but I’ve had to stop, because I don’t have room to store everything I’d like to buy! I do love mixing and matching things. Our every day dinnerware is a simple creamy white that I’ve had for nearly ten years. I love it because I can add anything to it and make it look completely different. Sounds like you like to do the same thing with your dishes.

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