Hunting and Gathering - a detective story

I do not tell you something new when I confess I absolutely love beautiful (vintage) china and silverware. I have collected over the years here and there small beauties, mostly flea market finds and the occasional garage sale treasure. A few pieces I have been given at my wedding, some is luckily inherited. In the last years I have been to Brooklyn to a particular dingy basement shop and began looking through drawers filled with semi antique silverware, I just love those old patterns, art nouveau, art deco, some mid century modern. I love Meissen and Spode, Limoges, Wedgwood, Johnson Brothers, old English transfer ware, Polish country treasures from Boleslawiec, just to name a few.


I have begun to replace my old every day china, which we bought years and years ago at Bed Bath and Beyond. It's a plain white setting where now all kind of cracks and missing pieces tell the story of living with children and daily use.
With my handy tools eBay and Etsy I found wonderful pieces, which I added slowly and now have enough for a dinner party from four to eight people. Some plates came to me from Chicago, some from Minnesota others from Florida. This alone intrigues me, if only they could talk! How many parties they have seen and who sat at a table, set with these lovely plates! Now here they are, lovingly brought together and hopefully staying together for a long long time!



This is Spode/Copeland, the Gainsborough or sometimes called Malborough pattern. I so love these beautiful soft flowers.


At one of my hunting trips in Brooklyn I came across these beautiful spoons and after polishing them they revealed a lovely pattern and since then we have been using the almost every day.

I have learned a lot. This round soup spoon style is called a Gumbo spoon. Gumbo spoons are used for thick soups with large pieces of meat and vegetables. Like bouillon and cream soup spoons, these spoons generally have round shallow bowls
I loved the pattern, but did not go so far as to figure out the whereabouts.
Then a few month later I picked up this lovely pair of silver ware.


Now I was hooked and decided to find out all about these patterns, makers and history.
There is inlaid, silver-plated, IS, many terms which meant little to me. There are different soup spoons, 5 o'clock spoons, master butter knifes, lunch knifes and cake forks...After looking through pages and pages of old silverware offers on eBay and Etsy I found out a lot of interesting details!
The Gumbo spoons above have the ENCORE pattern. It was made by the Simeon L. and George H. Rogers Co. /Oneida in 1934.


I found a few pieces here and there to perhaps add them to my spoons.

I particularly loved finding the fork and knife. The Acanthus leaf pattern is absolutely gorgeous.




It is called Danish Princess (Who wouldn't like that?) and was made by Holmes & Edwards. The Bridgeport, CT based company was founded in 1882 and 1898 bought by the International Silver Company. This pattern was produced in 1938 and was afterwards discontinued.

Image

I had no idea what little treasure had fallen into my hands for $2!
I began searching for this pattern online, started to compare quality and prices and settled on bidding on a particular fine set in an amazing vintage box! Prices for those vintage sets vary wildly...
It makes me feel good to re-use something so beautiful.



Anyway, after a rather nerve racking bidding finale a few days ago I won my first silverware auction. It was still a bargain to be sure and afterwards I was dancing a happy dance in my dining room!!!! Now it's somewhere on ground shipping in this large country on it's way to me!

There are of course now a couple of more things: I have my eyes on cups and saucers for my Gainsborough set for once, a few serving pieces, but the best of all is the gained confidence in knowing what I am looking for on future hunting trips to flea markets and vintage shops around the country!

A helpful site is the The Online Encyclopedia of American Silver Marks. You might be able to identify your silverware better or find out where your treasures were made.

Both above mentioned companies were by the end of the 19 Century bought by the International Silver Company.

xx

Victoria, wishing you all a happy weekend!

Images as indicated, silverware in box via eBay, all others by V.Zlotkowski

Spring fling

Great finds ahead! Spring is sure to come and when it will I am going to be so ready!!!

I know, it's weeks away, but why not get a little flirtatious?
Come along!

A chair from Kmart!



A cute pair of shoes, a skirt, a dress or a blouse from here! You know the place, don't you? Anthropologie of course.





And how about these fresh pieces? All at Anthropologie...





Or something really fresh underfoot from cb2? (All below)


I am clear eyed about this:


A cute cushion perhaps?


Love that basket...


And something not for closet cases...

Oh, I am getting in the mood! How about you?


xx Victoria


All images as indicated. Top picture Copeland Gainsborough plate from my own collection.

Creating a Home

Creating a home is at the core of my life and work philosophy, a home filled with warmth, beauty, whimsy, style and humor. There are many out there who share this passion and one of them is the interior and textile designer Kathryn M. Ireland. When I heard of her book signing at Brooke Gianetti's store a few weeks ago I was a bit sad, that I was unable to bridge those 2462 miles...


But in my mind I was there and since Brooke was graciously enough to think of people like me far away, she agreed to have Kathy work overtime and sign a book for me to be mailed.
A few month ago I posted on this book here! I just adore her style. The mix between bohemian chic, country elegance and bold patterns is irresistible to me.




Creating a Home is not new on the market, I had cast my eyes on this book for awhile. But this chance to have it signed was one I did not want to miss! Click on the book to go to amazon.com for a look.

Kathryn was also featured in December 2010 at The Skirted Round Table, go listen to her, she is marvelous!

Her book arrived today and I am happy to call it my own. Brooke's office send it in the most stylish manner. I am writing this year about details and after receiving the slim package in the mail and opening it, I knew I had to share it with you. Look at it, isn't it lovely? One of the many examples of how a little detail like that made my day!




A natural colored tissue paper was wrapped around the book, with some string and complete with a starfish! So simple, and yet...How did they know that I am a beach comber? That little star sits now on my window ledge and whispers of sunny shores and the cries of the sea gulls, while I sit next to it and wait for the next winter storm. A lovely reminder of summer!

Thank you Brooke and Kelly! And thanks to Kathryn's creativity...

xx
Victoria

Something is cooking in my kitchen

Slowly improvements have made their way into my kitchen. I have posted here on some previous changes. In good time we will tackle what remains to be done, but last Friday we've gotten the new dishwasher and range. What a joy!!!
After dish washing by hand like in the good old days for about a month my hands and I were so happy to receive the new dishwasher.


But I am elated to have a new stove. The electrician dated the old one back to 1972!!! Amazing. It still worked somewhat, but so inefficiently and slow to heat, it was an environmental nightmare and certainly an eyesore.
The new appliances are all from GE profile and I am happy with them.



Now I have that gorgeous cooking machine and I am practically hitched to the stove....
My darling husband surprised me Sunday with a set of brand-new pots and pans, stainless steel Cuisinart®, complete with pasta pot and carbon filter mesh lid for frying....


Image
He went all out and will absolutely benefit from his generosity!!


Image
Yesterday I prepared a southern German dish: Chicken in Riesling, with Bavarian egg noodles and mushrooms. It turned out delightful and we all pour over cook books to try out new exciting dishes. The picture is by a different chef (See image, thank you), I had no time to take one : )....But I promise you next time I will!





Here is the German recipe version of Coq Au Riesling. The regions of south western Germany, France (Alsace) and Switzerland all benefit from the close geographical proximity. Many similar dishes can be found with slight variations in this neighborhood.
If you google Chicken with Riesling you will find many different recipes. I am sure all of them are delightful! Try!


What I love about this new stove: Firstly a ceramic glass top, easy to clean and modern. Secondly It has two ovens build in. A small top oven for baking, warming and pizza. Underneath a larger convection oven. Much faster to pre-heat, and 25% faster cooking time. Especially helpful with those roasts and turkeys...

Well, it's another detail which makes such an enormous difference for us!
You know where to find me.....

xx
Victoria




Pictures by V. Zlotkowski and as indicated.

A bedroom

I looked through my pictures for evidence of great details and this is one of the images, which came to my mind. I had seen it a couple of month ago in Lonny magazine and I truly love it.
Analyzing what makes it so enticing are a few things: The symmetry and the contrast between the light walls and the modern bed on one hand and these lovely antique chests, functioning as side tables, one the other.
I adore the popping coral red of the blanket at the end of the bed and the small vases filled with roses left and right next to the head board. The wall mounted reading lamps blend in and do not draw attention. But I become aware of the nail trimmed headboard. And I notice the smaller leaning prints along the wall behind the books. Please click on the images to enlarge and to see ll those lovely details!


There is a lot going on a in quiet way. Looking at the picture I realize how the large classic prints add height and definition to a small and rather boxy room, leaving space for the white monochrome painting in the center. The carpets almost mirrors the scene. All the patterns work well with each other, enhancing the effects of sublet elegance. The longer I look, the more I discover the details. There is a blue and white duvet, striped pillows, sheers and softly gray patterned curtains. And love sits right in this bedroom's center! I love how the light streams in from two sides. This is unique.
There are three layers of carpeting: A wall to wall sisal, a softer larger mat, perhaps a woven wool and again a smaller one right under the bench with a yellow frame inside...
I love the books staples, large colorful ones, perhaps of travel designations or beautiful interiors? Maybe gardening or fashion photography? This place makes me dream and in all its intimacy it opens a world.
On the opposite site is a fireplace. And an armchair with a history. Notice the red piping...And another popping pillow!
I can not see a TV! How divine!


Did I tell you it belongs to Lulu De Kwiatkowski?
It is beautiful!

And a happy weekend ahead to all of you!
xx
Victoria


Images via Lonny magazine.

Good morning, New Year!

And a happy and healthy one to you all!


This is how it feels like: A good morning like beginning. I am looking forward to the time ahead, have plans and schedules in place and this year I will dedicate it to details. Paying attention to details is as important as the big picture. In designing as in life, the details matter.
You do not need to make big changes or need to shop expensively.
Details are often small, but can make a huge difference. Details are all about your personality, making your place truly your home. Display the things, which matter to you most right now. Change them as you move along in your life, interests, seasons. A small stack of books and letters, finds from nature, a vase with something you picked along the way or grew in your garden, photos, pictures, flea market finds, all those details tell your story!


Editing the small details in your home will keep you feeling current. I often think, as you change the details, you will love your surroundings more, even as they age. There will be no need to exchange things immediately, a throw over your sofa or a shawl on your window can give it a fresh face, a new twist or show how you feel right now.


Images via Amenity Home.
Let the place you live in reflect who you are! It is fun and it never gets boring!

After the holidays are behind us and the tree is discarded or packed away many feel a gaining hole were holiday decorations stood. The new year can suddenly seem to feel flat and endless stretching before us! Make it work for you by paying attention to the details.
To rearrange your mantle display after all the green has gone can be fun, no need to feel despair. You still can enjoy some candles sparkling, exchange your candle holders, bring in some small blooming plants, change your colors.


Image

Image

I love to begin the new year with fresh flowers, white candles and a clean slate. Usually a fresh scent helps me change the mood and after all the cinnamon and apple scented candles I enjoy an unscented room or just a fresh flowery one.
This one below is from Diane James Home, with a lovingly designed package by my friend Patricia from PVE Design! It smells devine!


Even in winter I love to open the windows for a while and let in some crisp air, to fill the rooms with freshness.

I love to see paper whites and narcissus grow. A grocer's bunch of flowers set up in a small vase or separated in tiny re-used glass containers can ring in the new season. Low key or high end, it does not matter as long as you are willing to pay attention to the details around you.


Your bedroom can only benefit from a change of duvet and pillows or a different throw...
Give your dresser a new look by putting up the latest holiday pictures, display the new perfume or the jewelry you might have gotten from your husband, boyfriend or children. Bring these gorgeous design books or novels you love to read right now and set them up. Use something different on your bedside table.

Image via Elle Decor.

Create a new dining room display, change is good! Use different china as you greet the new year! All those details mark occasions and the beginning of the new year is surely one not to be missed.




Images

I still keep in mind sustainable living, try to be conscious of my foot prints I leave behind, re-use and recycle, live mindful and caring.
As the new year turns into the year I will take you along as I change and pay attention to the details in decorating and my life. I am hoping you will find inspirations and enjoy the unfolding of your own story this year!
Let's breathe in deeply the fresh air of the new year!

xx
Victoria



Pictures by V.Zlotkowski and as indicated.