One thing I love about entertaining is I get to use my favorite thrift finds, case in point, this stunning Federal Punch Bowl. The bowl sits on a stand or I can choose to not use use the stand and flip … Continue reading
Punch It Out!!
Category Archives: Collectibles
A Special Package
A couple of months ago I received a very special package in the mail. It was so funny when I received it because I hadn’t recalled ordering anything. To my surprise it was a package from my cyber/blogger friend … Continue reading
Monday Mix
Hey Everyone!!! Once again, I’m wishing you a happy, healthy and wonderful New Year! Thanks a million for following along in 2015 and I look forward to what 2016 has in-store for us to share with one another. For my first post of the new year, I’d like to talk about being eclectic and venturing outside the norm. So many times, we are stuck in the mindset, “things HAVE To MATCH”. Well it may be true for 90% of our lives, but when it comes to table settings, I think we can break the rule- well at least I’m going to break it.. and I’ll show you how.
Many times, I’ve gone to estate sales, thrift stores, garage sales and would see a plate, saucer, or cup and love the pattern but often times, it’s not a complete set. So, I decided to mix it up! I found different patterns that tend to blend and decided to create my own eclectic setting. I started with these nicely patterned placemats I stumbled across at Walmart. I’m glad I ventured to that isle and found them.
Not bad right? At $1.99 each and having the perfect metallic gold finish, I figured they would pull the look together. Modern placemats mixed with thrift score dishes would create a beautiful table setting. Next I added gold crackled charger plates, which were $3.00 for the set of six at Goodwill. Then, I layered the plates and here is the finished look.
I love soft floral pattern dishes and by using pastel blends of similar looks I was able to mix pieces for a cohesive style. The dinner plates were about $1.50 ea, the bread plates were between $0.50-$0.75 ea, the brass napkin rings were found at Goodwill for $0.59 each and never used. The white linen napkins belonged to my grandmother.
Also featured in my setting are limoges bone dishes, which are rare items to find and they blend with the floral patterns. Limoges is a delicate fine bone china made in Limoges, France and began being manufactured in the late 18th century. You can read more about its history here. At the turn of the century, bone dishes were used to hold discarded chicken or fish bones, because it was considered improper to allow bones to remain on your main plate as it appeared to be an unsightly mess (the Victorians were very neat), henceforth, the use of the bone dish.
I also found the crystal (dumbbell shape) knife rests years ago and purchased them from an antique shop. Knife rests are rarely used these days, but they are very handy when eating. They offer a more convenient place to rest your knife while not in use, instead of leaning it on your plate. Lastly, the gold flatware was a wedding gift. Hard to believe I’ve had them almost 30 years.
As you see, you can create a pretty, delicately balanced table setting using thrift store and estate sale finds by mixing patterns.
The cute little place card is made of porcelain and I found the set at an antique shop about 20 years ago, when I was hosting tea parties.
This is the complete set – Isn’t it the cutest.. Just use a sharpie to mark on them and wipe off with water..
I finished the look with depression glassware I inherited from my grandmother. She had a complete service for twelve with water goblets and wine glasses, plus six smaller glasses (which I used for the children), along with the pitcher, salt & pepper shakers and two serving dishes. It’s really a nice set, so I consider myself blessed to have it.
You see how mixing patterns, styles and eras could blend together to make a beautiful setting? Not only does it look pretty, but it also adds a bit more interest. Have you ever mixed patterns to create a table design? If not, would you? If so please share – I’d love to see it.
I hope this has sparked an interest and the next time you see a pretty plate, get it and build on it to create your own blend of tableware.
I hope you enjoyed my Mix It Up tableware? If so, let me know…. As always, remember, beauty doesn’t have to be costly. Thanks for reading and until next time.. Smooches!
Right Time Right Moment
Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of joining my hubby on his yearly golfing trip. Well before we left, I did a quick search for thrift stores and shopping centers that were in the Daytona area, and saw they had a few, so, at least I could have something to keep me busy. Luckily I had the wheel during the wee hours of the morning. The roads were empty and my eyes could wander a bit. Well I spotted a few thrift stores and a Goodwill along the way to the hotel. Naturally I couldn’t wait to get there the next day. Well my friends… let me tell you… That was THEEE Best Goodwill I have EVER, EVER,(pause-roll the head) EVAH been to. OH MY GOSH! This was a true “being at the right place at the right time” moment for me. Ok.. talk about luck – I had to pinch myself.. Me and my aunt walked in the store and I notice how neat and clean it was (and got even more excited) walking past the registers I look up at the top of the racks and spot some crystal wine decanters, and walked towards them, but then low and behold I spotted some bee-u-tiful barware. I made a mad dash to them. I couldn’t believe it.. They were the exact ones I’ve been watching and wanting. I told my aunt stand right there and guard them while I run to get a cart. She started laughing at me – because she couldn’t believe my excitement. She said – “Girl, you’re acting like you found gold” I told her I did!! Look what I found!!!!
A complete set of Culver “Valencia” barware. What makes this glass set special is it’s embellished in 22kt gold and it’s their most popular design that ever sold. Culver glass company was founded in 1939 by Irving Rothenberg in Brooklyn, NY. The company later relocated to my nearby hometown Rahway, NJ in 1980 and remained there under the realm of Mark “Mickey” Rothenberg, who took over the company in 1987 after his father, Irving, passed away. Mark ran the company until he sold it in 1996 to Moderne Glass Company, Inc. He then headed another glass company until his death on 9/11 – he was one of the passengers on the hijacked Newark-to-San-Francisco flight that crashed in Pennsylvania. Known for lavish designs, many embellished with 22-karat gold, the company gained notoriety and its products became highly collectible. For the most part, Culver did not begin producing gold embellished glass until the late 50’s and much of their pieces made prior to this time, are unsigned, unlabeled and often difficult to identify.
In the early 60s, Culver perfected the (still secret process) of high heat firing, 22k Gold onto their fine glassware, allowing for thick, textured, gold & rhinestone displays, that better handled the test of time. Wealth was abundant in the US, and opulence was equally embraced, with the sleek, Mid Century Modern / Futurist Atomic Age styles, more commonly associated with the time, and business soared.
With the release of the Valencia pattern, popularity exploded & soon Culver was considered the wedding gift of the “Up and coming”, becoming available in the finest department stores. The process of high heat firing 22k Gold onto the glass for permanence, was kept close to the vest by the family & employees.
So you see, I did find gold! I couldn’t wait to get them to their new home displayed on my bar cart
They added the perfect touch to the cart
The cute pineapple hand towel was a gifted item I’ve had for years.
The brass pineapple was an estate sale find for a mere $8.00 (woohoo) and my girlfriend spotted the cheetah print napkins and she said they had my name all over them 🙂 (Thanks Kimmy!)
The vintage emerald green decanter- another yard sale find for $5.00 enhances the jewel tone of the glassware and the silver bar accessories were caught at the same estate sale for $4.00.
Now the story starts with me watching this barware on Chairish. I was holding off buying them until after some upcoming travel plans. I’m so glad I did, because I was able to snag this 13-piece set for $32.00. I would have kicked myself if I’d bought them before. My stylish bar cart look is complete and all done with thrift store, yard sale and estate sale finds. Now let’s get our “Drink On!!”
I had to give my hubby one big kiss (one for winning the tournament and one for bringing me 🙂 )
If you liked these glasses check out more of them on my Pinterest Board “Fancy Glass” and follow along. Happy hunting and remember – you, too, can thrift your house into a home! Cheers
*ps.. the Culver glass history was retrieved from Collectors Weekly and you can read more about it here:
Too Cute for Smokes
I know you’re probably wondering what’s up with that title…right? Well, this is why I gave it such a title. Lately I’ve really been eyeing vintage ashtrays. I’m not a smoker, never have been, but looking at these cutey pies would make me feel classy if I did. Vintage ashtrays are truly works of pottery art and were/are used as home decor items. When manufacturers began making them they were originally made for a purpose but seeing them, I just can’t imagine dumping ashes inside these beauties.
The colors are just so vibrant and strong. Each of these are crafted to perfection, and all are American made pottery. I see the Autumn colors like Orange, Brown, Green were very strongly used, although many come in a different array of colors.
Then the designed was stepped up a notch by creating the hanging ashtray.. This one is gorgeous!
Look at the marbling that was created for this snail-shape ashtray
These are so darling because they have their own cigarette compartment
These leaf patterns are absolutely stunning..
Then you have the standing ashtrays.. Those are in itself chic furniture pieces
Ok, so do you feel me on this.. These are just too gosh darn cute to use for ashes. I could clearly see using these as decorative pieces, perhaps candy dishes, jewelry trays or key catchers. You can also use them on a bar cart to catch bottle caps and corks. One thing for sure is they’re definitely not good for ashes. To read more about vintage ashtrays and designers visit The Big Ashtray Museum and also follow my “For Smokes” Pinterest board to see more of my favorites. I hope you enjoyed my picks and perhaps you’ll be adding these swanky pieces to your home decor. For now.. Tah-tah. Smooches!