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Dough Bowls

I love using contrasts in decorating.  I’m definitely a “high contrast” kind of girl.  Some people like calm, monochromatic spaces.  I like deep blue mixed with white.  Dark floors in a cream room.  A primitive cupboard filled with silver.  I think contrasts make a space look interesting.  This is one reason why I am attracted to junk haunts as well as higher end antique stores.  This is also why I look for things that are humble as well as those that are show-offs. 

This leads me to my topic today…dough bowls. 

I’ve wanted one for a long time, but never found one at a price I was willing to pay.  I love the hand carved marks, the worm holes, the warmth of the wood, the shape. 
The Nester wrote a great post on dough bowls a few months ago and that amped up my desire.  Have you ever noticed how seeing a friend, holding her find victoriously, can make you want that object even more? 

She’s so cute and she looks so happy with her dough bowl.  Anyway, she found this one (and another) for a steal at $49.  I found mine a few months ago, but had to shell out more than that.  I’ve learned that some pieces are worth splurging on and this was one of those for me.  The one I found was an antique dough bowl from Holland.  It’s now on my dining room table…filled with lavender bunches. 
(The French inspired drying rack is from Laurie Anna’s Vintage Home.)
I have been fortunate to find a few more and sold one at the Lucketts Antique Market in May and another out of my pavilion a couple of months ago.  Part of me hoped they wouldn’t sell, so I could use them for display, but that’s the way this business works. 

Although dough bowls have a reputation for being very “primitive country”, they can be striking in a modern space, utilitarian in a traditional space and right at home in a cottage space. 
Do you think a dough bowl would work in your home?

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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91 Responses

  3. I love the dough bowl. I'm looking for a large one to put under my vanity on a shelf to store my rolled up towels.

  4. well I live in a small space,, I would use it for holding tea towels on my pantry cupboard,,I would make room,,,love this post beautiful!!!

  5. I love dough bowls and have had one for several years. Our son used it for a while on his farm table in his dining room and when he moved he asked if I wanted it back. I think they are so much fun to use, like you said in many different ways…………thanks for sharing this fun subject!

  10. I saw a gorgeous one this weekend in a French Quarter lobby. It was sitting on an antique sideboard with copper bowls mounted on the wall. It all worked together so well…You read my mind… as you always do. Love all your work!

  12. I have wanted a big, really old tool tote for my dining room table but haven't found one reasonably priced. A dough bowl would do the trick though if I can't find a tool tote! What are your thoughts on shopping eBay for this sort of thing?

  14. OMG i want one.I have never seen one before but now that i have I have to have one,Do you post to Australia? I am so serious it heaps and probably will hurt my husbands wallet more ha ha

  18. I love dough bowls! I've drooled over the ones Pottery Barn has but just can't bring myself to pay that much $$$$ for one! Hopefully I'll find a deal like the Nester did. 😉 I love the white benches too!

  19. I was in a bidding war at the last auction I attended, I let it go..thought $20.00 was too much. I could kick myself now!!!

  20. I'm lucky…I have my mother's dough bowl. And I'm pretty sure it was her mother's. I keep it filled with fruit on my island. At Christmas I fill it with branches that I cut from my Christmas tree and put rustic jingle bells on top of the branches.

  21. I found a dough bowl in a catalog called Through the Country Door for a very reasonable price and ordered it. I have a smaller one I picked up somewhere (and I'm sure I didn't pay a lot for it either). Right now my large one is on my dining room table filled with shells but I use it year round filled with all sorts of goodies.

    Judy

  22. UGH I've been wanting a dough bowl for months. I found an amazing one recently, but it was huge. 5 foot at least. I had no place to put it. Not even a closet to store it in until the day I did have a place. I still think about it. *sniff* And every now and then I wistfully gaze at the photo I took of it. Hopefully, someday soon I'll find one a more manageable size.

  23. I love dough bowls and have used them a hundred different ways. I found a reproduction French drying rack at a thrift store this weekend while buying pots, pans, dishes….for my son's 1st apartment. Price for that lovely little thing I've lusted for forever – $1.99 and I had a 30% off coupon. Score, score and score!

  24. I love dough bowls and would love to have one, but right now I don't think I have a space in my house. I live in a small house with small rooms and 5 other people. We don't even have a dining room – let alone a dining room table. Essential stuff has to take priority over fun stuff right now. Your dough bowl full of lavender is fabulous! Maybe someday I'll have a place that a dough bowl would work…

  27. I have a large bowl like The Nester is showing; and i've never had a place to put it ; but it was a bargain and I grabbed it in an Eastman Georgia antique shop; it's leaning against a fireplace waiting for me to put it to use. I just found your blog and just love it!!!!!

  29. I sooo wanted to buy your dough bowl @ Lucketts Spring Fair..but we r moving overseas into base housing that will be 1/3 of what we r n now 🙁 My plan was to fill it with tons of white candles and seashells…..it was a fantastic price too for the size..maybe I can try n make it back to your booth @ Lucketts.b4 movers come….as I have still been dream'n bout it ever since 🙂

  30. I love my dough bowls which were handed down to me. I use one for various displays and I use the other one for baking bread. I think they look great in any setting.

  31. I have a dough bowl that was given to me by an elderly friend back in the 1980s. He said that none of his children appreciated it but he knew I would. It was his mother's bowl. I keep it out all year and use it for seasonal decorations.

  32. I have a dough bowl that houses fresh produce, particularly Compari tomatoes, in my kitchen. I'm always interested in different uses for it. I really like the lavender! Thank you for sharing your new find. Cherry Kay

  34. I love the use of lavender in your dough bowl, I am unable to find fresh lavender stalks anywhere in this area….I make bread in a glass bowl but a dough one would be wonderful!
    Sherry

  38. Ugh I've been looking for one for months! I found one at an antique mall but it was $200. Uh, no 🙁 I'd snatch up a $49 one though!!

  41. I love them! There is a vendor that comes to the Canton Trade Days in Canton, Texas every month. Though their's are much smaller, I've always admired them. My mother and sister-in-law have them in their homes but I've yet to bring one home for myself. I might have to revisit that the next time I go thanks to this reminder! $49???? That's a steal!

  42. I have debated and debated about getting some to sell on my website because I love them ~ I kind of worried about them being too "primitive country" looking but you have completely made my mind up for me ~ I also saw them in Jeanne D'Arc and loved them there too!

    hugs
    Lori

  43. Oh yes, I think they are a classic and can fit in well for most every design style!

    xoxo
    Karena

    Art by Karena

    Exciting New $150 Giveaway from Dr Perricone! Come and Enter!

  44. The design style you are describing is one of my favorites…..Juxtaposition. Opposites really do attract. It makes each item next to each other stand out that much more. Love it!

    That trencher is gorgeous! I've only got a couple of the small out-of-round bowls, but I love their look anyway. I just rescued one that someone made an awful attempt at painting an art scene all over it. Not even good enough to call folk art. Although I'm sure the patina is lost forever, I'm removing the paint to at least let the bowl age with some dignity……

  46. I always enjoy your blog although I don't comment alot…..but just wanted to say those dough bowls are gorgeous, but I will always stare at your rug when its in the picture…..

  47. Your dough bowls is fabulous, but the item I am always drawn to in your dining room is your bamboo matt under your table. Did you do the lettering yourself? I have searched your archives trying to find your source for your matt to no avail. I'd love to know where it came from! isadunc@hotmail.com

  49. Love the dough bowls! Although I had never seen one until about two weeks ago! I agree about your mat, it is fab!

  50. Love! I'm a new follower and drool over all your ideas…can you tell me about the fabulous calligraphy wood grained 'rug' under the table in your post?

  52. Just found your blog about a week ago and have been pouring over your old posts–love it! I'm wanting to order some wax and also some paint, but am still not clear about the paint. Do I order Chalk Paint or milk paint? Do they look the same when they go on and serve the same purpose? The milk paint is definitely cheaper. Thanks so much!

  53. You always have a way of making me add MUST HAVE items to my already long list. Where did you find them? Have you done a post on your dining room rug? It's beautiful.

    You are full of inspiration and I love pictures of your store vignettes. Keep it coming!

  54. Years ago, my mother-in-law acquired a wonderful dough bowl. Unfortunately, she decided to stain and varnish it. Fortunately, it's still beautiful and she gave it to me!! It's on my dining table, but I just don't have a clue what to put in it.

  55. I bought one for $20 from a neighbor who was going to throw it away! I also got an old school map from him and a vintage wine press. Score : o )

  56. A wooden dough bowl is on my list of 'things I must have'. Ab-so-lute-ly love them! I do have a huge antique tin dough bowl with a lid, but I NEED a wooden one. 🙂

  58. I've had small one for about 15 years, but I finally found a large one like yours last year at the Nutcracker Market in Houston! I grabbed it and like you, paid more than I wanted too but I love it. It moves all over the house! You can do so much with them!

  65. Your dough bowl is terrific! I have one, though it's not that old. My husband's grandfather used to carve dough bowls and sell them. He gave one to my parents in the 80s. After they passed away, it came to live with me and my husband. It is a cherished piece.

  67. I've wanted a dough bowl for eons but have never found one I felt I could afford. Yours looks wonderful and I love the lavender in it! I too must have color and texture.

    xo
    Pat

  69. I love your quote about being a "high contrast kind of girl". Me too! I have some modern in my home, mixed in with vintage finds…I agree – without the contrast the space doesn't have enough personality for me… BTW I absolutely love the lavendar in the dough bowl – gorgeous shot!

  72. $49…WHAT, what, did I read that right? I have been searching for one I could afford forever, what a steal, I would be smiling from ear to ear myself 🙂 I think dough bowls can work in any space. I love the rustic wood in a modern space for a mix of textures or in a space like my own which is much more of a mix of all sorts of styles, and a constant work in progress, what can I say, I love a lot of things!! Looks great on your table!

  76. About 10 years ago I too coveted a dough bowl. I had seen them in antique stores and they were running about $400 at the time. These were the real "antiques" and proudly displayed in shops. Imagine my surprise when as a retail home decor buyer, I walked into a booth at the Alanta gift show and there were stacks and stacks of "antique" dough bowls for sale, all made in China. For the very low cost of $49. I lost my interest in dough bowls at that point. I Have only ever seen fakes in antique stores, and warn buyers to know what they are getting for their money.

  77. As an antique dealer I have to agree with anonymous that most of the dough bowls you see now at antique stores are reproductions. I have no problem with that as long as you know that when you buy them and don't think you are actually getting an antique. I have to agree that they make beautiful decorative pieces.

  78. Hi Marion:

    Your bowl is beautiful, I have two of these beauties, but they are very very old, and smaller. Is the one you talk about for $49.00 a reproduction, because I paid a lot for a very small one in Maine.
    Anyway, yours are beautiful,

    martha

  79. In a word: YES. 🙂 I think they're beautiful and the wear and tear make them all the more lovely in my eyes. 😉 Thanks for sharing!

  80. Beautiful dough bowl and love the lavender touch! Yes, yes, yes- a dough bowl makes a fabulous kitchen, fireplace, dining table, or bath/bed accessory. My very large, very deep dough bowl is home to all of my decorator magazines. I found it in North Carolina ten years ago and paid $79.00 for it. I found this one in Denham Springs, LA and could not get it to the register fast enough with its $25.00 price tag! http://placesinthehome.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/071.jpg

    Reproduction dough bowls are flooding the market. Authentic dough bowls carry a three figure price tag as a rule. There are still sellers who do not realize what they have and treasures can still be found. A reputable dealer will fully disclose to the buyer if their merchandise is a reproduction and most antique dealers are very reputable. A nice reproduction is a great choice for an affordable option.

    Darleen

    1. I would love help determining age and authenticity on mine. It sure seems really old. My husband feels it is. I saw it months ago in an antique store for $165.00. She came down to $130.00. It is LARGE -52 inches! Too big for a table. But, if you like something you find a place for it! Were these large one used for the whole family to eat out of, like a table, or to make a lot of dough at once? That is if it is real?! What is the best way to determine its age?

  82. Love 'em. When I was in college I had an elderly friend who would invite me over for tea or dinner or frappes on the patio, and she had the loveliest home. Wonderful antiques and New England style. But not stagey, just lived in. Anyway, she had a dough bowl that she'd put evergreen boughs and apple or oranges in at Christmas. I've been looking for my dough bowl for awhile now, and I know I'm gonna find it someday!!!
    Ally

  84. I inherited one from my husband's grandfather…talk about a treasure. It is one of my prized possessions. I keep mine on top of my upper kitchen cabinets. Probably should find a better place for it, but it looks so pretty up there and is too big for my table right now. Maybe out on the porch we just enclosed. They are wonderful though, aren't they. Glad you were able to keep one. 🙂

  85. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE dough bowls!!! Where I live, they are an easy find but like you – I love the contrasts of displying different shapes, colors and styles. Picture a grouping of them hanging together on a wall….Instant modern or primative art!

  86. I had completely forgotten dough bowls. Now I'm on the prowl. They're awesome. Simple, clean and you can fill them anyway you like. Way Cool!

  87. I love your table!! Where did you find that?! It is exactly what we are looking for! Thanks:)

  88. Pingback: Dough Bowls

  89. I just had to leave a comment on this one. Here lately when I google image things I’m looking for or just want inspiration for, I end up here. 🙂 I clicked on a picture of a dough bowl and here I am. lol Thanks for such great design!

  90. Pingback: 15 inšpirácií ako využiť drevené koryto | kreativita.info

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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