I love the look of the moss mounded in the bowl, and want to do a similar centerpiece on either my K island or my DR table.

I like flow or transferware but am looking for brown or black.

Some options:

This one is 9." x 4":

This one is 10" x 2 1/2":

This one is 9.5" x 4 1/8":

This one is 16.5" x 5 1/4 ":

Thoughts?

mtn - mine is 16" x 6.5" and shaped most like the top image or the second image from the bottom. It lives on the "formal" dining room table which is 6' x 3' and is really too big to leave as a centerpiece when we eat at that table. Love the brown or black transfer ware!

I have a question about sheet moss. IIRC, @rubyclaire you had sheet moss in your bowl that was a vibrant green. Where do you get the sheet moss. I have a bag of it, but it isn’t that pretty “living” green. Do you have to do anything to keep it that color?

Thanks so much Rubyclaire. Our table is long and narrow too. I tried with my own bowls and 9"is not too small as a centerpiece. But I can certainly go larger.

I was really betwixt and between on these. The first one is Spode, has a lot of detail, and is black, which I ever so slightly prefer color-wise. The second one is Juliska, in a pattern I love and have been trying to find an excuse to buy. The third is Wedgewood and I think it's a tad goofy (it's a "Boston" bowl w Paul Revere on it). The last is a very generous size, but too floral perhaps? And not sure about the flared edge.

I thought I'd sleep on it but I have no further clarity today! First impression, which did you like?

PS BBSTX, if you have drainage, go live. Otherwise I find it needs frequent replacing.

I have a collection of brown transferware. @rubyclaire I missed your bowl. Could you share the picture again? I prefer the 1 or 3rd bowls, where the top/rim doesn't "flare" out, if that makes sense.

@bbstx, I believe the moss comes in different colors. You can buy at craft places like Michaels, AC Moore, Hobby Lobby, etc. Come to think of it, I think I have a partial bag in a closet.

Tina, yes, it makes total sense. I do think they are the closest in mood.

Here is Ruby's:

I prefer the shape of 1 & 3, and the pattern of 1. Bowls 2 & 4 remind me too much of the shape of bowls that are used in bowl & pitcher sets.

BBSTX, I think that is exactly what the 4th one is. The Juliska one is not (it is new and sold as a vegetable bowl). So shallow though for this use.

I like #1 the best but I like bigger always, so I like #4 also.

Tina, I'd love to see some of your collection.

Here’s another shot of the bowl...

I have purchased sheet moss in bags from Michael’s and from Amazon so I don’t know where I got this particular moss. Sorry.

mtn - I have that Juliska pattern/color in mugs and adore them! I agree it may be too shallow for what you want.

So pretty! Love your style. I think we have the same faux Ballard olive tree! And my DR cushions are also tan and black gingham. And my Mom had those silver candlesticks. : )

@mtnrdredux_gw I need to find a safe way to share pictures. I've shared this story before, but years ago I was "stalked" by a person from pictures I had shared online. The "man" ?? who said he was a policeman ??? tracked me from pictures to my personal email address. Said he could tell the area I lived in, etc. Said he was only trying to scare me so that I would learn a lesson. So I quit sharing pics, got a separate email address for online accounts, etc. (although I had never shared my my email address on that site). It made me very wary of what I share online.

@rubyclaire your table/room is beautiful!

Oh my. Tina, that may have been when you had to share via Photobucket? Now it's direct.

I don't know @mtnrdredux_gw. It wasn't on this board. My photos are stored on the computer, or thumbdrives, etc. If I share from there can someone get the info from the photo and track back to my computer? PLEASE NOTE - I am in no way suggesting any of our regular friends here on this board would ever consider that. However, we have no idea who may drop by and read.

Thank you! It is the large faux olive tree from Ballards. I have both sizes and they are great. Very realistic.

I recently added new blue pillows to my FR/DR. Now you guys have me searching for a blue bowl for my table :)

rubyclaire, your room is very pretty!

Believe it or not there’s a pretty one on house for I think $110?

Frankly if you’re a little bit patient you could go to any antique store and find an nice blue and white one in my opinion ... Usually easier to find than the black or the brown

We just bought a circa 1900 mahogany sideboard that is quite large. You guys are giving me some great ideas after the Christmas display is taken down. It has a large mirror on it and I like the idea of breaking it up with a wreath hanging off the middle and maybe coordinating it with a bowl and some moss and a new runner. (well given our house fire, I'm starting from scratch so it's all new) So, just how do I construct that?

I’d go looking thru antique stores ... bowls of this type and traditional mirrors are very plentiful second hand. They are not “in style” so, Easy to find secondhand… But in my opinion its also the kind of thing that never actually goes out of style either.

PS how did I miss the news about the house fire… I’m so terribly sorry

ever mind I see your Already have a mirror…Did you want a wreath year-round? I think people do do that… We certainly seem like a good time of year to get one on sale. Maybe a preserve d Magnolia?

Thanks mtn, that houzz bowl is pretty. I do like to mix in vintage pieces, so I’ll keep checking ebay and etsy and waiting for the stores to reopen.

Actually second hand is a great idea. We've bought some temporary furniture from a great consignment store that also sells accessories so I'll head there after the holidays.

I agree about second hand - my large-ish mirror is from a consignment furniture store and I think it was about $120. The bowl I got several years ago from an antique flea market.

There are bargains to be had for things not "of the moment". I want to see what everyone comes up with and if anyone has a better moss mounding technique.

So i the meantime I bought this to go next to my stove. I will probably keep kosher salt in it, IDK

And I have a terrible crush on this, for no reason:

Love that little bowl you bought for next to your stove!

I'm not surprised that you have a crush on the tea pot. I would as well.

I just can't justify it, and even as a random indulgence, it would then require new teacups!

Anyway, I did a little moss research here: https://www.planthropy.co/blog/what-you-should-know-about-preserved-moss-and-why-everyone-wants-it

And decided I need "pole moss," which I bought here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/696629453/bulk-wholesale-preserved-pole-moss?transaction_id=2247373525&campaign_label=proteus_transaction_buyer_notification_q4_treatment_v2&utm_source=transactional&utm_campaign=proteus_transaction_buyer_notification_q4_treatment_v2_010170_669962139734_00amp;utm_medium=email&utm_content=&email_sent=1609226594&euid=EhO730FdHxhdmP1rs6lcEHntp9M7&eaid=77188963&x_eaid=5c728f76b0

I hate buying from China TBH, but it seemed like the best source. I buy moss from Michaels' to put at the base of my orchids, but using it here it's more like the star of the show in a bowl on the table.

Mtn, that moss looks cool! Thanks for the info.

I have bought quite a few pieces of transferware (always from England), and ironstone for that matter off ebay and etsy. While I can find transferware here, I don't see the brown as often and ironstone is hard to find around here. When we have traveled up north, I have better luck. Yes, we hit the antique stores on road trips LOL.

mtn - that moss looks perfect!

allison - such a pretty teapot. Instagram seems to be evolving as a great source for unique finds and direct sales. I have purchased a couple of small pieces of art but will expand my search for other types of items I like.

Maybe we need a thread about great Etsy and Instagram shops...

Allison, pretty teapot!

I ended up choosing the Spode, the first one. I don't like it the best per se but I think it will work the best in terms of color, shape and size. There are several for sale on line, i put a bid in on one on Ebay and am waiiiiiiiting.

can I send all you dish afficiendos down a great rabbit hole? There is a place near me called "Dishfunctional" that is a warehouse filled floor to ceiling with all sorts of dishes, serving pieces, crystal and so much more although, tbh, some junk. Tons of vintage items. I can spend an hour there easily. In fact I was there today and bought a vintage white ceramic woven berry basket (probably WS type) with its own cream and sugar bowl. My parents have a similar one. I figure I'll use it for some fancy brunch or shower. It was $12 but everything is 35% off right now so I paid seven and change. They are also on FB and would probably take requests for items.

Dish shopping Mecca

Eta, they have great items and very inexpensive, on their facebook page. Their eBay listings are mostly rare, expensive items.