This week I am bringing you something a bit different! On Mother’s Day weekend I was lucky enough to be able to go to the Mid-Century dinnerware exhibit in Ann Arbor, Michigan that was put on by The Dinnerware Museum. It was an adorable little exhibit that was in a great venue, and since most of you probably didn’t attend, I thought I would bring the exhibit to you.
Some childrens’s Russel Wright, anyone?
Here is Tom chatting it up with one of The Dinnerware Museum owners. They were lovely people and very knowledgeable.
Apparently the space they held the exhibit in was a mid-century addition to the much older main bed and breakfast, The Stone Chalet. The addition was used as a church for a long time. It still had a lot of the mid-century architectural details and was lovely.
But, onto the dishes!
This napkin display girl is now part of my dreams!
No Mid-Century dinnerware exhibit would be complete without some Melmac! This is Regatta. 
Here’s a bit of Russel Wright for adults! Set on a Heywood Wakefield dining set, so pretty much perfection.
Another angle, because why not?
Libbey glasses! I love these guys.
These adorable cruets? pitchers? carafes? were marked unknown manufacturer. If anyone has a clue about these, I’m sure The Dinnerware Museum would love to know!
Another cute setting. TV dinner!
Steubenville Pottery. This would be absolutely perfect in my kitchen!
This poodle set by Glidden is perfect!
And, to leave you, a perfectly perfect Mid-Century picnic!
Overall, the exhibit was a little one, but it had so many great pieces and designers and in such a great location that I was very impressed. When I spoke with the owners, they said they are looking for a physical building for the museum, so be sure to visit their site and support the museum if you can, or feel free to drop them a line if you have a suggestion for permanent display space for them.
I’m looking forward to their next exhibit!
Gorgeous dishware, wow! The kids sets are really adorable. Surprised at there not being any Pyrex, though!
Wow! Thank you! I really enjoy visiting your website. Just had to comment on that Melmac Regatta. Beautiful!
Wait til Sara sees those Poodle dishes! I wonder her reaction, given her poodle bathroom that is perfection.
Thanks for sharing, so those of us far off on the other side of the continent could enjoy 🙂
That IS a cool museum! I too am on the wrong side of the continent to enjoy it. At least I can console myself with my own Fire King Davey Crockett mug (it’s the perfect size for an espresso)
OH MY GOD……the POODLES!!!! Dying over here!!!!! LOVE that!!!!! EEeeeEEeeEEeeeeeEEeeee!!!!!!
Yes, you are right Susan….I am a poodle maniac! 🙂
I saw one of those napkin display girls just last weekend in an antique shop!
My grandma had the Regatta Melmac. I thought it was so cool when I was a kid, but I forgot about it until now. (I also felt so cool as an ’80s kid knowing that Alf’s home planet was named after dishes.)
This is SO COOL! Thank you for sharing. I’m ready to travel to MI now!
The white dishes above the poodle plate picture look a lot like an Eva Zeisel design. I have my mom’s Zeisel dishes and I love them, even though they’re a little on the fragile side.
As someone who has re-read “China and Glass in America 1880-1980: From Tabletop to TV Tray” often enough to break the book’s spine, I was delighted to learn about this new museum. Thank you!
What a great post! Every picture is a delight, thanks for sharing!
I just LOVE the flatware! Thank you so much for sharing!
My Mother has the same cute napkin doll. We use it every year during her birthday!