Vintage “Dallas Ware” and “Raffiaware”

Hi everyone!

I wanted to share some vintage goodies I found that are perfect for an afternoon picnic, or roasting hotdogs over the firepit.

I was challenged when we sit around the firepit roasting hotdogs and marshmallows to come up with some kind of tray that would hold food/drink and be easy and non-breakable for the kids. I started looking for vintage TV trays, and found these vintage “Dallas Ware” lunch trays in the 1950s pastel colors I love so much.

I also found these burlap wrapped vintage “ThermoTemp” bowls and tumblers in fun colors.  This is usually referred to as “Raffiaware.” These are wonderful as they are insulated and I love how the burlap gives the plastic coating a somewhat “organic” feel.

I can tell you the kids love these! They like using them inside for lunch also.

These bowls were wonderful filled with the home-made peach ice cream my parents brought over last night:-)

I was lucky enough to find an ice bucket that was reasonably priced. I would still like to find a pitcher, but haven’t found a lidded one yet.

What better to have outside under the trees than tomato sandwiches, fresh peaches, and peach lemonade iced tea?

These are so much fun and just perfect for using outside!

I hope you enjoyed more of my vintage melmac finds!

I have not had any time to get by and visit as we are at the “mastering” stage in our recording, so we have been really focused on that. Plus, we are enjoying the last weeks of summer with all the children here at home and making wonderful family memories:-)

Thanks so much for stopping by!! I’ll be joining Susan’s “Tablescape Thursday” at BNOTP so be sure to stop by there!!

Anita

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23 Comments

  1. Barbara F.
    August 3, 2011 / 9:59 pm

    Glad you are enjoying a wonderful summer with your family, can't wait to hear the CD, and of course, I love your raffiaware. Perfect for outdoor dining. xo,

  2. Savannah Granny
    August 3, 2011 / 10:06 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing these neat vintage pieces. I don't think I have ever seen these.
    I can see how they would be so great with a picnic and children.
    Your photos are so inviting I just want to it in the shade and have peaches. Hope you have some ice cream left.
    Enjoy these last days with the children. I just heard that school in a neighboring county started school today. Blew my mind! Ginger:)

  3. Emelia DiCarlo
    August 3, 2011 / 10:35 pm

    Hi Anita, My grandmother in Charleston SC had these pieces!!!!It brings back so many memories. I love the ice bucket, what a treasure! I know you are all having great family time, thank you for bringing back so many lovely times Anita. What a great post and photos.Take care:)

  4. Debby S.
    August 3, 2011 / 11:37 pm

    These are wonderful! I just love the colors. My great granny had these cups and bowls. I always fought my sister for the aqua blue one, too funny! Thanks for the blast from the past!

  5. linda t
    August 3, 2011 / 11:51 pm

    Anita! You know how we like have a million things in common… well, I have everything on this post!! I can't believe how we love the same things!
    Love it all! And it's so perfect when we go camping in our Cozy Cottage on WHeels!

  6. Pamela Gordon
    August 3, 2011 / 11:59 pm

    I love those vintage dishes and glasses. I remember my aunt and uncle had the glasses when I was a young'un. It looks lovely set on a blanket in the dappled shade. Enjoy your family and the rest of the summer. Blessings, Pamela

  7. Red Couch Recipes
    August 4, 2011 / 12:59 am

    What fun new dishes. I am sure that my mother used to have some of the raffiaware — it seems so familiar. Love the trays too. Joni

  8. Ann@A Sentimental Life
    August 4, 2011 / 1:30 am

    How fun!! The trays remind me of the school cafteria and my Grandparents had the other dishes, I still see them drinking coffee from the mugs!

  9. Unknown
    August 4, 2011 / 1:52 am

    How fun does that look 🙂

    Blessings!
    Gail

  10. Debbie
    August 4, 2011 / 1:58 am

    Well, first, I want your weather. Then, I would like all of your vintage pieces so that I can picnic outside and enjoy it.

    We used to have some trays like that, but I took them to the girls' school and they walked off.

    I love your table. It makes me feel like taking my family for a picnic.

  11. Anonymous
    August 4, 2011 / 2:56 am

    Oooh, I am so mad. Saw that set on Craigslist a while back and didn't get it. LOVE them, and the trays you used.

  12. Unknown
    August 4, 2011 / 3:14 am

    How neat!I enjoyed your vintage table setting.

  13. Unknown
    August 4, 2011 / 3:16 am

    Love It!

  14. Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours
    August 4, 2011 / 4:49 am

    I've seen vintage pieces like these, but I didn't know what they were called. I can see how perfect they are for outdoor picnics with the kids. Great idea! All the best with your recording.

  15. Jemsmom
    August 4, 2011 / 5:15 am

    Only YOU can make lunch trays looks so darn cute with all your other goodies!!! I know you are excited about your CD! I am too! I also know you are loving your summer time with your babies. Are they about to start back to school? Jemma doesn't go until after Labor Day. That will end next year so I am going to enjoy my extra two weeks with her this last year! I hope you are having a wonderful summer!

  16. PAINTORDIG.blogspot.com
    August 4, 2011 / 12:05 pm

    First time I have seen raffia ware and I like it. It is perfect for outside dining. Good idea about the trays too!

  17. Debbiedoos
    August 4, 2011 / 11:07 pm

    What a throw back in time. That stuff is awesome. It looks so pretty too outdoors. Hope all is well Anita. This summer has flown by.

  18. Pinky at Designs by Pinky
    August 5, 2011 / 12:23 am

    I LOVE that raffiaware!! I remember it! Love your setting too, under the trees. Glad you are enjoying your summer too. XO, Pinky Please stop by if you get a chance:)

  19. Barbara
    August 5, 2011 / 12:48 am

    Oh, this brings me back! I remember raffia ware but had no idea that was the name of it. I loved this setting, thinking about how much kids would just love this. Great colors!

  20. Alycia Nichols
    August 7, 2011 / 3:53 am

    What a beautiful picnic! I remember that melamine and raffiaware from back in the….oh, never mind. Don't want to completely give my age away! 🙂 It is so cool, though! When I first read "Dallas Ware", I thought it would be something from the 70s when the show "Dallas" was so popular. My bad! I'm goofy that way sometimes! This is a neat picnic setting. Enjoy the remainder of your summer!!! I hope you have many more chances to get out and have more fun picnics!

  21. Anonymous
    August 8, 2011 / 1:33 am

    Your raffiaware takes me back to my grandmother's house and making Fizzies in these glasses. Oh, the sweet memories.

  22. B
    September 10, 2011 / 5:48 pm

    Hi Anita, a Google search for vintage TV dinner trays brought me to your page. Your table settings are beautiful! So much talent and so inspirational. Congrats too on your EP release!

  23. Bonnie@Creative Decorating
    September 27, 2011 / 4:04 pm

    I love these pieces! How funny that on our trip to CA we were shopping at an antique shop and they had those pieces there. We took pictures of my husband holding them to show his mother since he grew up with her having the whole set! Very nice!