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Sunday, June 5, 2011

To Shine or Not to Shine...

Silver Chalkboard

Your silver of course!


Sterling, stainless, or silver plate, it has always been collected and prized by its owners. Silver items blend with any decor, as the accent or as the star.


The elegant blackboard, that sits in the kitchen, was super simple to make. All that was needed was a silver tray purchased on sale at a local antique store, blackboard paint and chalk. Yep, that was it. This idea came from the fabulous Cindy of My Romantic Home

The silver antique butter dish to the left is one of the best antique finds. Low fat cream cheese has been served from it.

Double-sided Chinese Teapot
One thing we learned from Mary Carol Garrity's Nell Hill's is placement and the use of stands and books to elevate objects. This silver stand found at an antique store was the perfect stand for the double-sided Chinese teapot.

The measuring spoons and silver salt and pepper shakers are used whenever cooking takes place.



June of 2010, will always be memorable. While perusing Suzanne Duda's Pink Roses and Other Passions, she was sharing the beautiful measuring spoons she received for Mother's Day. They were ordered from Anthropologie. A week later those beauties showed up at the front door. They are not only beautiful but quite functional and heavy in weight. They really make the silver salt and pepper shakers look great.  



Antique Jelly Jar on top of a small cake stand

You can never have enough silver trays.




Succulent in Silver

Have you been by to visit ANTIQUE CHASE? She is a genius. This is where we got the idea of Succulent in Silver. It's an absolutely brilliant idea. We love it. 



Stunning after the morning's rain
Beautiful silver vanity set

Even the salt and pepper shakers are wrapped in elephants.


A silver caddy in a silver tray is pretty neat



This silver tray was found at a local Goodwill Store. We followed the fabulous idea of our friend Vanna over at Delusions of Grandeur. She is just an amazing person. 


Inside of the cloche are a porcelain rose and a porcelain pitcher with roses on it sitting atop of a silver cake stand. The cake stand was recently found at a local Goodwill store for $4.00. Yep, the decimal is in the correct position. By the way, the tray in the picture above was $3.00. See, that's why we love Vanna. 

Hugh Casson earthenware is enhanced by this silver sugar bowl


Replaced the M & Ms with sea shells


Fascinated with ink blotters

Love sea shells in a brides basket 
The Patina is left on the bride's basket. It actually looks better with the patina on than polished away.

Silver stand highlights blue & white piece
You can find all kinds of wonderful stands at antique stores. They come in all shapes and sizes. This stand was black last weekend when it was picked up from the antique store. With lots of patience, silver polish and love, voila!
Below the table is a silver sugar scuttle with bath salts
The table is from Ghana. His name is John. John holds all the essentials needed for a fabulous bath. 

Silver and blue & whites enhance each other
Antique silver pickle castor
We try to find functionality in the items we collect. This pickle castor is an elegant way to store the toothbrush and toothpaste. The antique dealer suggested leaving the aged patina on the pickle castor. Yep, she was right. 

Silver matchbox


Love collecting silver boxes
Call it an obsession. Boxes are so amazing because inside of each and everyone of them is a story. The silver coin case on a chantelaine that is standing belonged to my great-grandmother and the monogrammed flat round one was my grandmother's which housed her mirror and face powder. ~Paula


An antique mahogany secretary desk serves as a night stand


A silver fan vase is great in any room

Check out the beautiful toast rack
The toast rack holds books and journals. This was a great idea we picked up from Nell Hill's. You can't have just one. 

Shiny bright or aged with patina, there is no place in the home that can't be enhanced by silver. "How do you like yours?"

Gonna party with Lee over at Tales from Bloggeritaville.

We are partying with the following fabulous folks this Friday: Show and Tell FridayFeathered Nest FridayVintage Inspiration Friday, and Inspiration Friday. Please join us!

19 comments:

VintageGramma said...

Beautiful collection! I adore the pickle castor, and prefer the silver aged-what better way to demonstrate the natural beauty? Functional, creative, and tasteful!

Unknown said...

My favorite piece is the candy dispenser with the sea shells in it. Maybe it's the shells that add the beauty to it!

AntiqueChase said...

Paula!
I'm thrilled that you liked the succulents and silver. I can't get enough of them!! Perfect hostess gift too! Following you back!!

Sharon Lee Johnson said...

Lovely post. I am a very enthusiastic collector of silver. These are lovely pieces. Greetings from South Africa! x Sharon

Tretswelt said...

Hallo!Einfach wunderschön dein Blog und Post...nur schönen Sachen.Ich liebe sowas und sammle auch.
Schöne Woche wünsche ich dir.Bussi.Luciene.

Ivy and Elephants said...

Hallo Luciene. Danke soviel für Ihre schönen Wörter! Kommen Sie bitte, uns wieder zu besuchen. :-)

melchris66 said...

Charming site, such beautiful and creative pieces. Love it.

Anonymous said...

I love this blog... Soooo many great ideas! What an AWESOME and CREATIVE collection! Can't wait to see what is next

OldBagNewTricks said...

I use quite a lot of silver plate in my home too -- for brunches and everyday salt and peppers, serving pieces... just looked at a silver biscuit box yesterday that I might "need".

Thanks for visiting my blog -- I want to mention, when you buy your Big Five Cleaning Products, pick up a large spray bottle and a smaller one.

On your blog, I like how you label each picture -- I know what a lot of silver items are, but not all of them -- I like that the explanation is right there.

Brandi said...

such a beautiful collection! i love the idea of succulents in silver.

Susan EvelynAndRose said...

Stunning silver! I'm a bit too lazy to polish, but don't mind the tarnished look.
You've got a great collection!
Thanks for your visit,
Susan

Anonymous said...

Lovely collection! I'm new to the blogging world and this is something I will definitely share with others...

lvroftiques said...

Oooohhhhh Paula I've been anxiously awaiting your next post and it's a fabulous doozy!! And I'm not just saying that because you mentioned me *winks* (Thanks so much for that!!)
I've gone back twice to enlarge pictures and take it all in!
I'm crazy for silver sparkley warkley goodness!! What a beautiful array you've shared here!
The pickle castor as toothpaste holder is brilliant!
I'm in LOVE with those elephant salt and peppers! Wherever did you find them?

You know it's funny because I just came home from a day of treasure seeking and I purchased almost all silver items! We must be channeling the same muse *winks* And I'm always searching the Goodwill for old lamps with really ornate bases that I can take apart and use as platforms to elevate my pretties!
Beautiful beautiful post my friend!! I'm so inspired! Vanna

Mary said...

Omigosh, what a beautiful collection of silver!!! I love the idea of finding non-traditional uses for some of the pieces. I have been wanting to try the chalkboard idea... yours turned out so beautifully! I have a soft spot for silver-plated gravy boats, and monogrammed flatware...

Thanks for visiting my blog, In A Soft Light. And thanks, also, for your very kind comments! I hope you will visit my other blog, Little Red House, which is all about decorating, antiques and gardening. :)
xoxo,
Mary

Terri said...

What a stunning collection of silver, thanks for sharing.

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Paula, What a gorgeous collection of silver! The candy dispenser with shells is brilliant.
xo,
Sherry

Unknown said...

This is just an amazing POST!!! Eye candy for sure. I am your newest happiest follower :) Love the cloche over the sliver cake stand..you won't believe this but I bought a new cloche today and guess what...It is on my glass cake stand!! too funny!

Tina@WhatWeKeep said...

What a gorgeous collection. Lots of really creative uses. I'm following!
~Tina

Leigh said...

Thanks for dropping by Tales from Bloggeritaville’s Thrifty Thursday, my friend!
I appreciate your linking up!It's not a party without you!

You are featured on the Friday flashback this week! Grab a button.

LIVE*LOVE*LAUGH
Leigh
Tales from Bloggeritaville
www.lbratina.blogspot.com

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