WELSH DRESSER WITH BLUE AND WHITE CHINA

This is a hand-hewn oak dresser, very old, but English although these dressers are almost always called "Welsh."

I haven't seen an Interior Decorating magazine for years and years so I do not know if blue and white china is in or out of fashion. I can't imagine of tiring of it so it has never been out of fashion with me.

My favourite piece is the dark blue ashet at the top. It's Victorian, made in Glasgow and I got it for nothing. It was crazed and cracked so I had it repaired and that did cost something. Most of the things on the dresser are Chinese but the cow is Delft, her horns broken more than once, and the two soap boxes on either side are Wedgewood, peony pattern. The jugs on top are Mason's ironstone.

The beam at the top of the picture is not even. I'm perfectly sober.

Close up of cow: DELFT COW

The cat is coiled in his box, the dogs are drooping, it is wet and cold outside. I am reminded of the old Scots saying, "Ne'er cast a clout 'til May is out." That seems to be good advice for Italy this year as well.