Thrifting Treasures: A Stunning Black Contessa Find

Welcome to the Blog, Friends!

I’ve been out thrifting again and I can’t wait to share what I found—plus how I’ve already put it to use. My husband and I made a little outing of it, heading to one of our favorite shops about half an hour from home. It had been a few weeks since our last visit, and honestly, the last trip had been a bit disappointing. But that’s the fun of thrifting—you never know when something special will turn up.There’s always a little thrill when I walk through the doors, scanning the shelves and wondering what treasures might be waiting. And this time, I wasn’t disappointed.

Today it certainly paid off, Friends. Just look at this stunning set of china I discovered—Black Contessa by Gorham, manufactured between 1989 and 1993.

It’s a complete five-piece place setting for eight, and every single piece is in beautiful condition—no knife marks, chips, or cracks at all. The base color is a delicate cream, so soft it almost glows against the darker details. Around the rim, you’ll find two elegant bands: the first is a deep midnight blue (so dark it looks nearly black), and the second is a hand-painted band of platinum that catches the light beautifully.

The design carries through to the cups, sugar bowl, creamer, and serving dish, each with that same rich midnight blue on the outside. The platinum touches make them feel especially refined—the cup handles, the rims, even the footed stands on the cups and serving bowl all gleam with a subtle shimmer. The oval serving platter mirrors the plate design, tying the whole set together perfectly.

It’s the kind of find that makes a thrifter’s heart skip a beat. Elegant, timeless, and ready to grace a table once again.

This set is quite impressive and so simple you can easily dress it up or down depending on the occasion. I couldn’t wait to use it and am sharing with you how I went about creating a table setting from this lovely china.

I began with a simple black placemat as the foundation. From the start, I knew I wanted this setting to feel a bit dramatic, so I kept the palette clean and restrained—cream, black, and silver/platinum.In the photo above, you can really see the striking contrast between the thrifted Danish flatware and the deep, uninterrupted black of the placemat. That bold backdrop gives the china and flatware a stage to shine, allowing every detail to stand out.My thought was to take the table in one of two directions—either very modern and sleek or leaning into a slightly Art Deco feel. Both styles pair beautifully with the Black Contessa pattern, which already has such strong lines and metallic accents.

Next, I chose these very simple silver metal chargers by Mikasa. They’re definitely no-frills, but that’s part of their charm. The clean, sleek surface sets off the china beautifully, adding just the right amount of shine without competing for attention.Another bonus? They were a fabulous thrifted find from a few years ago. It always delights me when pieces collected over time come together so seamlessly. These chargers elevate the table while still keeping the look understated and chic—perfect for the modern or Art Deco style I was aiming for.

The dinner plate (quite large at a full 11″) and the salad/dessert plate were added next. The placemat actually makes the dark blue look black.

To continue the look, I used black linen napkins, folded in a fan pattern and secured with sterling silver napkin rings. Both pieces were thrifted treasures, and together they add just the right touch of refinement. I especially love how the fan fold, accented with that gleaming silver center, introduces a distinctly Art Deco feel to the setting.

To the side of each place setting, I added a bread-and-butter plate with a butter knife—simple, functional, and elegant. What do you think about the pairing of the Mikasa charger with the black Contessa china?

For glassware, I turned to Vera Wang’s Duchesse pattern. The design is classic and refined, with clean lines and delicate detailing that complement the china without overwhelming it. For this table, I chose to keep all the crystal consistent rather than mixing patterns. Sometimes I enjoy the variety, but here I felt it would distract from the overall dramatic look I wanted to achieve.

These particular glasses were another lucky thrift find—a complete set of eight red and eight white wine glasses, discovered at a Miracle Hill thrift store a few years ago. Sixteen perfect glasses at an unbelievable price! They’ve become favorites in my collection, and they look simply beautiful here, catching the light and adding sparkle to the table.

To complete the look, I carried the cream and black theme straight through the centerpiece. A striking thrifted pottery bowl became the focal point—it has such presence on the table and echoes the dramatic tones of the place settings.I filled it with dried hydrangeas from the garden, their moody blues and purples blending beautifully with the midnight hues of the china. The soft textures and subtle color shifts add just the right touch of romance and depth, keeping the overall feel both elegant and slightly dramatic.It’s amazing how thrifted pieces, a few thoughtful choices, and a little creativity can come together to create a setting that feels polished yet personal. This table strikes that balance between modern simplicity and Art Deco flair, with just enough sparkle to make it feel special.

Here is an overhead look at the table. I really love how this turned out.

Up close or at a distance the table looks great.

Now, imagine this table at night—soft lighting, the glow of candlelight, and a lovely meal shared with family or friends. The sparkle of crystal, the sheen of platinum, and the moody tones of the hydrangeas all come together to create a truly special atmosphere.

This was such a wonderful find, and I really enjoyed bringing it all together in this tablescape. So what do you think, Friends—does it feel more modern, Art Deco, or something else?

Thank you so much for joining me today for this exploration of Black Contessa china and a few other cherished thrifted pieces. I hope your next thrifting adventure is just as rewarding—and every bit as much fun.