On Saturday and Sunday afternoon I enjoyed an Afternoon Tea session at The Vintage China Company.
If you read my blog regularly you will have already heard of them. They are a cute little cafe and tea rooms located not far from my house. They have a large selection of loose leaf tea, available by the pot and cakes to boot. My current favourite is their Chocolate Bread and Butter Pudding. I’ve so far had trouble taking a picture of it before I’ve eaten it. There is a smart selection of cakes, scones, biscuits, cupcakes, cheesecakes, muffins and more. All on display in a beautiful glass cabinets, glass jars, and tall cake plates.
If you’ve never been to The Vintage China Co., let me explain my affection for this place. You cannot sit in there without being romanced. Especially after 3pm when the winter light sparkles through the windows and gilds the flowers on display. There is something so timeless about holding a tea cup with your elbows on a table covered in a cross-stitched table cloth, listening to the voice of Ella Fitzgerald. Or even on the really dark winter days when dusk seems to come early, the fairy lights sparkle in the corners of the room and smell of Geneovese coffee being freshly ground drifts on the air. Or walking through their room dedicated to china trios, following the scent of a nice sachet of potpourri. The Vintage China Co. is an experience.
They are also a shop, and most of what you can set your eyes on is for sale. They have a great collection of artificial flowers and have arrangements available for weddings. So sitting amongst these displays is really something. The ceilings are hung with flowers and bunting. No part of the rooms are ignored.
The rooms are also bursting with home decor in soft pastels and classic styles. Shelves and mantlepieces are busy with birds ornaments, bird cages, bird houses, garlands, fairy lights, painted woodork, ceramics, glasswork, and more. Each perfect for brightening and warming rooms at home.
They have accessories for the kitchen, such as a range of aprons for grown ups and little people. There is also a range of babies clothes, toys and cot decor in one corner. It’s quite cute, with little flower bunches made from baby singlets, and the happy faces of old fashioned toys smiling up at you.
There is also a large selection of crockery, tea pots, cups, saucers, plates and bowls. For display or for use, you decide.
All of this is located in an old weather board cottage, renovated from its days as a milk bar and turned into a home of bright, happy things. Having afternoon tea there is a popular affair on the weekend, with one point on Sunday being particularly busy and people cheerily browsed through the treasures while awaiting a table.
If you’re tempted to pop down this weekend, save some Earl Gray and Chocolate Bread and Butter Pudding for me.
Vintage China Co. is located on the corner of Doveton and McCarthur St in Ballarat.
(03) 53322123
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheVintageChinaCompany
