Collecting Cabbage Ware for a Spring Hutch Display

What is cabbage ware style? Get tips for collecting cabbage ware and style a beautiful Spring hutch display with this hot trend. Learn the history of lettuce ware, too.

What is cabbage ware? Where did cabbage ware come from, and when did it get so popular? Today I’m hopping on the viral trend and talking all things lettuce ware, or cabbage ware. All good things come back around, and this classic dishware is having a moment. Hope you enjoy this Collecting Cabbage Ware for a Spring Hutch Display, and are inspired to thrift for it yourself!

Thrifting With the Gals

Today I’m joining my Thrifting with the Gals pals to send thrifty inspiration your way! We’re welcoming my friend, Brooke, from The Junk Parlor this month, too! Brooke lives in Des Moines, Iowa and sells antiques on her website. She is an experienced vintage thrifter and stylist, and has so much knowledge to share. Be sure to check out her post, and all the rest from the group at the end.

Enjoy more of our Thrifting with the Gals series HERE.

Collecting Cabbage Ware for a Spring Hutch Display

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What is Cabbage Ware, or Lettuce Ware?

Cabbage ware is a type of dishware that originated in the 18th century in England and Europe. It was widely produced when naturalistic motifs were in vogue, featuring fruits and vegetables. It has been manufactured by many different companies through the years, in many countries.

Here in the U.S., cabbage ware had a resurgence when a ceramicist named Dodie Thayer began creating unique one of a kind pieces in the 1960’s. She coined the phrase lettuce ware and inspired a new generation of collectors. Jackie Kennedy Onassis was a famous collector of cabbage ware, which created a trend with everyday decorators, also.

Although many companies have made the majolica-inspired dishware, it became accessible to pottery class students when the Holland Mold company offered cabbage and lettuce pieces for people to paint and glaze themselves. These vintage versions are fun to find when you’re thrifting. They can be mixed and matched with new and old manufactured versions.

Thrifting for Vintage Cabbage Ware

My cabbage ware collection began with a bowl from my mother in law. She must have made it in the 60’s-70’s when it was trendy to do pottery class as a hobby. It’s well used and is great for serving a green salad.

I began realizing that collecting cabbage ware was a thing when I saw my favorite Instagrammer’s display, HERE. I was drooling over her collection. I decided I needed to thrift for more, and have been keeping an eye out ever since. Green is my favorite color:)

I found a matching bowl to mine, with a different version paint job. You can tell it’s the same leaf mold shape, but painted differently.

Celery dishes were also popular. Think they were being given as wedding gifts in the 60’s and 70’s. My mom had one. I’ve found two with different colored green paint.

You can usually tell the vintage versions from new, because they’ll often have the maker’s initials or name on the back. Probably to make sure their piece didn’t get mixed up with other class members versions in the kiln. I love to read the old names, and sometimes the year they made them.

My most recent find is a Holland Mold cabbage covered bowl with plate. Find out more about the history of Holland Mold Ceramics here. You’ve probably got a few of their pieces in your home, if you love vintage. Their molds were used widely by hobbyists and pottery companies from the 1950’s-1980’s.

I was so excited to find this cutie at the the thrift store, in good shape, too! I also picked up a couple of random lettuce bowls at a garage sale.

Newer version cabbage and lettuce ware will obviously have the manufacturer’s logo on the bottom. Definitely mix and match new with old to fill out your collection; the more the merrier!

Decorating with Cabbage Ware

Cabbage ware and lettuce ware are perfect for Spring decorating and Easter table settings. You can combine it with Peter Rabbit bunnies and garden fresh accessories. When you need to pop a salad or veggies in it for a meal, it will be handy. A whole buffet served with these dishes would be stunning, too!

I pulled out my ever-growing collection. Let’s use it to style a Spring Hutch display, along with plenty of fun ducks! Years ago my mom made ceramic ducks in pottery class. I decided to put all these ceramic creations together for a fresh Spring display.

Spring Hutch Display with Cabbage Ware

Target always has a heartbeat on the trends, and they scored big with lettuce ware dishes this year. I picked up cute mugs and saucers, salad plates and an adorable teapot. I also had to scoop up their yellow and white ruffled napkins and runner, along with a couple cute patterned fabric carrots. A mix of old and new is always the best!

My cabbage ware collection has been expanded to other veggies, too. I’ve got peas, asparagus and celery. We’re supposed to have more green veggies, right?

Along with little ducks quacking here and there, I popped a couple of vintage fabric Easter eggs in one of the larger bowls. The pretty veining on the dishes can be seen whether they’re sitting or standing.

I love twinkling lights tucked here and there in cupboards and bookshelves, and THESE little battery operated, remote control candles with faceted bulbs are the best. They add instant atmosphere, and help you see all the pretty things in the back.

Decorating On Top of the Hutch

The tops of tall pieces of furniture is perfect decorating real estate to extend the pretty up high. Mom’s ducks are quacking away as a cute vintage green plaid umbrella announces the Spring rain season. All types of picnic baskets harken picnic season. I just found the cute green metal one; I’ve always wanted a green metal version:)

I ripped a fabric bow for Mr. Duck’s neck from the pretty green plaid silk that I just refreshed a stool with. The full tutorial will be on the blog soon, but you can see a short version video HERE.

Lettuce Ware Spring Hutch Display

It was so fun to create a whole display with thrifted cabbage ware! If I spot a lettuce salt and pepper shaker, I could definitely add them to my collection;) The hutch is all ready for Spring!

See “How to Style a Hutch for Every Season” for more seasonal display ideas.

Shop vintage cabbage ware HERE. (such fun variety!)

Shop new cabbage ware dishes HERE. And HERE.

Thanks for reading Collecting Cabbage Ware for a Spring Hutch Display. If you enjoyed your visit, be sure to Become an Insider so I can send the ideas right to you! You can Sign Up HERE.

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Enjoy the rest of the inspiration from my Thrifting With The Gals friends, and be sure to Pin and Save below!

Brooke, The Junk Parlor, “What is Thrifting?”

Rachel, The Ponds Farmhouse, “Budget Easter Thrifting Shopping Guide: Vintage DIY Easter Decor”

Robyn, Robyn’s French Nest, “9 Simple Ideas to Decorate a Modern Farmhouse Kitchen“

Ann, Dabbling and Decorating, “Goodwill Home Decor Decorating Ideas: Spring Edition”

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