Collecting Silver

Collectible silver is one of the great joys of the antique world. There is something uniquely personal about it.

 

Peter Vitale
Silver is a valuable antique that gains character with every occasion. I love formal pieces used in a casual way with fresh green herbs & moss filling a pretty porridger.

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Handed down from one generation to the next, these pieces become one of the many threads in a family’s history. The arrival of a new baby is a celebration & perfect occasion for passing on family heirlooms like silver cups.

Set on a shelf or on a beautifully laid table, old silver pieces add grace & history to a room.   Flickr

Unlike many antique collectibles, silver is not just for show. Serving coffee or tea from a Tiffany & Co. service turns a sideboard into a special setting & only adds to the serenity of this incredible view.  

Billy Cunningham

On a window ledge, Christmas spirit makes a splash, with pine boughs propped about a silver bowl of ornaments.

Casey Sills

Mixing patterns of flatware & serving pieces is both unusual & decorative.

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How about pairing this gorgeous Norwegian bowl full of cherries with an English serving tray!

Aimee Herring

Daily use of old silver gives new life to the antique & connects the collector with the past.

Tongue & Cheek

Over time, pieces will develop patinas that make each set distinctive and uniquely beautiful.

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One of the very best characteristics of silver is the fact that handling and polishing can actually improve its appearance. 

  
Rene Stoeltie

When my family lovingly passed some treasured pieces my way, they also gave excellent advice regarding the care & consideration of each piece.

I quickly realized that if I didn’t want to have “polishing parties” every time I wanted to use it, I better pay close attention to how I was going to store it!

flickr

So I thought I would share this good advice with all of you to keep your collected silver practically tarnish-free.

    
Bella Signature Design 
Unfortunately, silver tarnishes quickly and can take on very unappealing shades of brown or even purple. If a set of silverware is stored in an environment where there is a lot of salt in the air this process can happen with alarming speed.

Nancy Silver

Obviously the key to keeping it beautiful while in long-term storage is keeping it polished, dry and as far from salt and other environmental impurities as possible. There are many brands of polish made especially for silver. Use what works best for your needs.

For polishing, I love Bar Keepers Friend. It works miracles on many things & can be found in most markets. It’s safe for silver. We also used it at Williams-Sonoma for polishing brass & stainless steel cookware. Wenol is a soft paste, used sparingly, it goes a long way. Great for small jobs, it can be found at most hardware stores.

For a “homemade” approach that really works try this. Place sterling or plated silver in an aluminum pan, it must be aluminum. Sprinkle 1/2 to 1 cup baking soda over the silverware.

Martha Stewart

A simple chemical reaction causes the tarnish to disappear naturally. Keeping the pan in the sink to minimize splashing, pour enough boiling water to cover the utensils. When the tarnish disappears, remove the silverware, and buff with a soft cotton cloth or use flour sack towels, they are lint-free and dry quickly. I buy them at the market too.

And those gloves shown above aren’t an expression of prissiness or an attempt to protect the polisher’s delicate hands. The gloves are meant to protect the silver from the polisher. Bare hands can lead to fingernail scratches and the oils in human skin can tarnish newly polished silverware.

  I adore this “preppy” silver chest with a 6-pc place setting of Wallace Sterling. I just saw it on eBay!
If you don’t have a chest for flatware & other items, not to worry! You can line a drawer with Kenized® cloth for flatware or make individual bags or pouches for special pieces. Kenized® cloth is 100 percent cotton flannel that has been treated with zinc, to protect silver from tarnishing. The cloth forms a barrier, keeping away sulfur, salt, or other caustic elements in the air.

 

Check your local fabric shop for Kenized® cloth or order by the yard from Nancy Silver .

Martha stores her silver in Kenized® cloth drawer liners. I found these at The October Company.

If you are unable to find Kenized® cloth you’re not out of luck. 3M makes these fabulous Anti-Tarnish Strips!

Martha Stewart

Simply line a drawer or cabinet with 100% cotton flannel cloth. Adding anti-tarnish strips to the drawer along with the liners makes for the perfect combination. These paper strips contain an active absorption ingredient that is completely non-toxic and can be purchased at your local hardware.

Whether by birth or by choice, our lives can be touched with silver. Our homes can be enhanced by graceful old pieces handed down over the years.

Peter Vitale

So pull out your pretties, and get creative! Fill them with flowers, place them anywhere you like! Live with them & love them and with proper care and cleaning your investment or personal treasure will last a lifetime!

Autumn Jewels

Nature’s bounty is abundant, beautiful & all apparent!

Casey Sills

I grew up out west where temperatures are mild & seasons quietly flow from one to the next.  This time of year in Kentucky, we feel a crispness in the air & see a transformation of astounding color. 

A favorite family tradition is the Autumn harvest of Apples!

 

Antonis Achilleos

Fresh Winesap from the orchard to fill a garden urn or Crispin for a handsome centerpiece in the library. With the bright greens, varying textures and fresh fragrance of the fruit, this gorgeous combination will long outlast a fresh floral bouquet.

Veranda

With their abundance, it’s not surprising that they have migrated beyond the kitchen and can be found in unexpected places throughout my house.

 But the best way to enjoy these sweet-smelling pommes is fresh from the tree!

I love the sweet & aromatic Monroe,

or a crisp green Crispin,

or a venerable old cultivar, the heirloom Winesap.

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There is nothing like biting into a beauty that you have just reached up & twisted from the branch of the tree! Tools of the trade that apple aficionados swear by are available for us to harvest our own.

Here is the pick of the crop!

This wooden Orchard Ladder by Peter Baldwin has a pointed top that rests in the crotch of tree limbs.

Fill wooden market baskets & give them to friends!

Felco’s classic 25-inch-long Lopper from Gempler's will cut branches up to 1.5 inches in diameter.

 Lower fruit into picking baskets with a front release skirt from Oescoinc.

The curved blade of this 14.5-inch pruning saw from Garrett Wade, keeps you from harming other branches in tight spots.

And this galvanized-steel handy Picking Bucket from Peach Ridge, along with a Fruit Harvester from Gardener's Edge will assist those who prefer to pick from ground level.

Happy Harvest!

Better Than A Sweater

There's a chill in the air in Lexington this evening. Relaxing on the patio after dinner calls for a throw. I have my favorite and it's the perfect answer to a busy day.

When color and texture come together in the form of luxury, it definitely piques my emotions.

Perhaps nothing is as beguiling as a combination of the two, especially when we wrap ourselves in it.

My Taylor has her favorites also. Much more sophisticated than her snuggly, and perfect for late-night studies.

When I come down for coffee in the early morning, it's comforting to pull a throw across my lap. In today's world, "comfort" is an important word in home accessories.

I make sure that the MR. has one in his office. He will tell you that he needs all the comfort he can get.

Winter's plush fabrics provide both visual and tactile comfort. You want to touch these fabrics!

I keep a woven basket with plenty for guests who like to gather outdoors.

Fine throws from Leontine linens are beautiful simply draped across a table.

Perhaps you prefer the cutting edge richness of this bed throw with fox fur backing by Sabina Fay Braxton.

Or the quiet sophisticated beauty of merino wool. This beautiful array from Anichini caught my eye for gifts during the holidays.

Designer Rosemary Hallgarten features luxurious throws in merino wool and silk that are exquisitely soft to the touch.

Add her incredible rugs & pillows to create an idyllic place that is all about comfort.

So next time you head out to watch the seasons change, remember to bring a throw and stay a while!
Click on photos for sources...

Hospitality

Annie Schlechter

Hospitality is making your guests feel at home, even if you wish they were. So, first things first. A visitor’s first impression of your home is often made from the sidewalk or stoop. You want it to say, “Happy you are here!”

Lisa Porter

Greet your guests with warmth & spirit. Your welcome will set the tone for the entire visit.

Linda Banks Design

Having a guest room is a luxury for some & thankfully not a necessity.
Single, double, queen, or king? I know that single beds are a thing of the past but they do allow for the most flexibility. Couples keep close & adversaries turn to respective walls.

Kathy Kincaid Interiors

I tell husband’s & wives, that they can hold hands across the divide. This arrangement will remind them of being teenagers again.

Kathy Kincaid Interiors for Ritz Carleton

I think that a visit to family or friends should be a retreat from daily life.
Creating a cozy & gracious guest room or a quiet corner of your home is a prerequisite to being considered a great host or hostess.

Carolyne Roehm

Carolyne Roehm treats her guests with only the best. Italian pillow shams, carafe by Dior, hot water bottle in pique, mints in a sterling shell, etc...Just so you know, I will never be able to indulge you with this level of luxury.

 I will, however, appeal to all of your senses in simple straightforward ways & welcome you with open arms.

Sandra Lane

Depending on how long they stay, some guests need time to unpack.
A clutch of satin or cedar hangers and two robes aren’t requirements, but if found, they will be used...and remembered. These are special touches that say, “I was expecting you.”

 Considering that you might want to just sit and catch your breath for a few minutes, hours or days, a comfy chair, overstuffed pillows, and a soft throw are included.

Sarah Hogan

As are fresh cut flowers, and a good bedside table for your treasures.

 Simple touches in the bathroom are really luxurious touches if you ask me.
No other place offers such a measure of privacy so I like to go all out!

Good lotion, bath oil, & salts are the best. But nothing is richer than fresh soap, a new toothbrush, and a stack of clean towels.

Sandra Lane for Becky

I have a special collection of towels & toiletries for her & for him.

Tim Evan Cooke for Michael

And always remember...if you have to share your own with others, everyone looks in the medicine cabinet, even Aunt Ethel & Pastor John!

When thinking about amenities for families, focus on simple, not ceremonial. A nightlight will be appreciated more than chocolates.

 When left to their own devices, children will uncover endless entertainment in a strange house: great-grandfather’s Faberge egg, a beloved pashmina shawl, the dog.

Joanna Henderson

They just want to have fun so keep them in the attic, in your own children’s former room, anywhere they can play and shout from noon until night. Etiquette consultant & mommy, Mindy Lockard can help you graciously tackle young guests at Monthly Manner.

Matt Bird

My motto is fresh air saves children! Unload them in the yard and turn on the hose or sprinkler. Some of our guests arrive with babies and bring most everything needed but a crib. I’ve passed on our crib but still manage to make do.

 If you don’t have the luxury of being able to provide a private retreat for your visitors, it’s still advisable to expect the unexpected. Flexibility is the watchword for both guest & host.

 When we lived in our 900 sq.ft. beach bungalow in California, I used to have a sign by my backdoor that read “Backdoor Guests Are Best!” My plan of action was to clear the cushions from the couch, fill up the air mattress, pitch a tent out back, or dress the porch swing with pillows and blankets.

 I would simply gather the bare essentials: pillow, blanket, & patience!

The MR. was always happy to open the best bottle of wine, light the chimenea & thankfully pull a game plan out of his pocket!

Cox and Cox

His plan usually involved independent exploration away from our little bungalow & this was the means of transportation.

 A gracious guest will anticipate the passions of friends even before they arrive. A gift of artichoke pesto from Bella Cucina made for the chef, a tin of dog biscuits for Gracie or a simple packet of seeds for the green thumb is always a great way to say “We’re here!”

Bella Cucina

All sorts of guests come and for all sorts of reasons, and yet, consideration always wins the day. A handwritten thank-you note is required no matter how short the stay.

Cox and Cox

Longer visits may call for a gift. A parting gift is a gracious & a wonderful way to say so long, farewell, we had a wonderful time, and let’s do it again soon!

A Gift Wrapped Life

I highly recommend a visit with Sande at A Gift Wrapped Life for this! She is a master in the art of giving personalized attention to gifts that will surely be remembered.

A Gift Wrapped Life

Sande beautifully demonstrates graciousness & hospitality. Plus, she's just really nice!

A Gift Wrapped Life

Parting is something else altogether. A toast to good times, a hug farewell, a kiss with feeling...Embrace your guest because you want them to go or because you don’t want them to go. But do embrace.

One last thought. How do you know if you’ve given the best care...too little can leave them wondering whether or not they should have bothered coming. Too much can leave us wondering when they are finally going to leave.

 If they show no signs of leaving anytime soon, here are some tips from the MR.
1. Flip the breaker switch.
2. Let Gracie lick the dishes clean.
3. Set rat traps in conspicuous corners.
4. Feign death.

Looking forward to having you!