Unusual Soap Dishes

Before I babble on, I want to mention: yesterday the townhouse was featured on The Design Enthusiast. You can check it out here.

In preparation for my Ikea Expedit hack, I first de-cluttered and re-organized (and dusted!  Eegads) the shelves.  My beloved Shelley sugar bowl was not re-united with her Expedit friends, but I found her a new purpose in life: holding soap.

I thought it looked nice paired with my bright DIY painting and our grey floors & marble counters. 

My secret for avoiding soggy soap?  I snagged the little "drain rack" from my legitimate soap dish. 

It is a teeny, tiny pop of additional colour.  Microscopic, really, but it makes me happy!

Ignore the ugly outlet that STILL needs to be replaced.

And I have officially eradicated soap dishes from the townhouse.  One half bath has a pottery dish made by a young artist from my hometown, the other has a find from West Elm.  I don't know what I have against traditional soap dishes - I think I just like the opportunity to display something more unusual in a small space like a bathroom.

Keep Your Eye on the Sugar Bowl

When I blogged about my office my mom spotted the tiny orange bowl on the bookshelf.  She wants it.  And now she will be within pilfering distance (I'm leaving for the airport to pick her up right now!!)  Since I stole her Lotte lamps, I think the sugar bowl is fair game.  In the event that it goes missing after her visit, here is an ode to the sugar bowl.

How did she even see it?!?

I picked the bowl up at a yard sale because the colour was so great.  I saw the Shelley logo and, thanks to my china-happy grandmother, knew that Shelley is valuable.  I calmly handed over my $2.00 and skipped back to the car.  Once home, I looked through hundreds of pictures of Shelley china until I found similar pieces and eventually found out what this is: a sugar bowl, of the Harmony Dripware series.  It was produced 1924-1940 - the different hallmark can indicate approximately when a piece was made.  I'm no expert, just a patient googler.  Click here for a great guide on Shelley china.

So, keep an eye out for this logo:

Or one of these:

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I might be in need of a replacement bowl . . .

For some more eye candy check out these other gorgeous pieces which, sadly, I do not own:

What mine would look like, as a proper set
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What fabulously finds have you found?

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