Our new Tea Leaf design was inspired by a collection of antique “Tea Leaf” ironstone china handed down to me by my Aunt Lisa. She thought it would be a perfect set for us to use at the school house. I was immediately struck by the simplicity of it – often times I think of antique dishes looking frilly and fancy. Tea Leaf is graphic, and clean feeling modern and utilitarian. I love that is made from heavy wearing ironstone that just has an everyday, country feel.
She passed this large collection to me that we keep at The School House in the kitchen, in what was formerly the teacher’s library cabinet. I think it looks right at home here. It was produced through the late 1800’s in England exclusively for America. It is heavy ironstone printed with a copper luster motif and band on each piece. I particularly love the coffee pots with the faux bamboo handles.
Our Tea Leaf design was inspired by the simple graphic motif found on the china. I simplified it even further and made it symmetrical and balanced for the repeat of the design. What I really like about how this translated on our fabric and wallpaper designs, is how much color coverage it offers. Because of the small repeating print, it really offers a lot of saturated color with minimal noise from the pattern itself. A bonus is that both the fabric and the wallpaper appear to be quilted from a distance.
We printed the Tea Leaf in English Blue and English Green colorways. We have it available in fabric by the yard, pillow covers, table linens and wallpaper.
We have just launched the English Green Tea Leaf as part of our Autumn Collection, found here.
Salt cellars. Love all of the small pieces included in antique china.
Shop our entire JSH Collection, here >