What is a Caviar Spoon?
Caviar (sturgeon eggs) is a such a delicacy it requires its own spoon. The spoon is usually small (about 6 inches or smaller) and has an oval or shallow bowl to serve the caviar. But, you will also find some spoons larger and more ornate.
However, the material of the spoons is what is most important. Grabbing your silver teaspoon to serve caviar is considered a real faux-paus. Instead, caviar spoons are made of materials that won't taint the delicate taste of this luxury.
Who is Milo Baughman?
Born in Kansas, this modern furniture designer moved with his family at an early age to Long Beach, California. It is there that he grew up and eventually found himself in the Army Air Forces during World War II. After the war, he returned home and studied architectural design at The California Institute of the Arts.
Baughman designed for many different companies but he is most known for his long term partnership with Thayer Coggin Inc in High Point, NC. This association began in 1953 and lasted until his death in 2003.
A (Vintage) Brass Menagerie
One of the most common things I find at flea markets are brass mid-century animals. These beauties were all the rage in the 1960s and still very popular today. They are the perfect touch to warm up a mantel, to add some depth to your bookshelves or to add visual interest or height to a side table. I absolutely love them and find them so useful in decorating.
The Most Popular Silver Patterns
I love how personal a silver pattern is to someone. Especially when it has been passed down in generations throughout a family. There is nothing I love more than watching folks take pride in their heirlooms.
There are a TON of different silver patterns. With the help of both Southern Living and Replacements.com, below is a comprehensive list of the most popular patterns.
Are you a coup or a flute?
There are three kinds of people in this world...those that prefer champagne flutes, those that prefer champagne coupes and those that would rather a bourbon out of the bottle.
It doesn't take much of a genius to figure out that the retro charm of the coupe has my heart. It was one of the first things I registered for when I was engaged, I used them at my wedding and we drink OJ from them on the weekends. It is obvious that I adore them.
What are Shiny Brite Ornaments?
Oh, Shiny Brites....you really are the grand daddy of all the Vintage Christmas decor, aren't you, you little devil!?!?
The popularity of these have exploded again. And thank God for that. They are stunning. I am absolutely loving all the creative things that folks have been doing with them.
Vintage Ceramic Christmas Trees
Now having a family of my own, I have been giving a lot of thought to our Christmas decorations. I am sure this isn't going to come as a shock to you but I am incredibly sentimental. And while I now have a healthy dose of Melissa and Doug Christmas items in my house, I am thinking a lot about what types of items I am going to have in my home for my son to have an attachment to his childhood memories.
For me, personally. It is our Christmas stockings. I have loved them since I was a little girl. They are all hand-made by my mom and are just so special to me. I love that she's been working herself crazy to try and finish new ones this year for our growing family.
This got me thinking about what are some classic Christmas decorations that are instantly vintage Christmas. And without even finishing that thought, the Ceramic Christmas tree popped into my head. This is, in my opinion, quintessential vintage Christmas.
Cake Breaker: What is it and How Is It Used?
I remember opening my Grandmother's box of silver and seeing this when I was a kid. I just KNEW it was a comb for my baby doll's hair. As I grew older, I figured a comb probably wasn't hanging out next to the butter knives in a box of silver. As a young adult, I assumed it was for serving pasta because of the tongs.
The Turkey Platter: A Quick History and Favorite Patterns
If you saw my post on creating a perfect vintage Thanksgiving table then you already know that I think the turkey platter is the star of the show. In my house, the ole gal isn’t allocated to the edge of the table, she’s put in prime location in the center of the table.
Flatware Finds: What Are Sugar Spoons and How Do You Use Them?
Like any good Southern woman, I love my initials and monogram. I have an EBay saved search for "Vintage SH Initials" and squeal when I get the alert on my phone that something has been listed.
One of my most recent purchases is this adorable Sugar Spoon with "SH" on the handle. (This one got a BIG squeal). I don't even use sugar in my coffee or tea but I have a soft spot in my heart for this piece.
What are the different types of silver and how do you identify them?
One of the first things I learned when I started doing my hard core thrifting and flea gig was the various types of silver. While I am still no expert, I have learned how to better interpret all those crazy stamps on the back of pieces. I thought it would be helpful to go through and really dive in so you can, hopefully, start identifying what you are holding. Let me just say right here that most of this information was collected from Martha Stewart. (Obvs).
Dating, Cleaning and Decorating With Vintage Globes
When I was younger, I loved twirling my globe around and "filling in the blank" with a location. Where will I get married? Tanzania (far cry from my actual wedding in Charlottesville, VA). Where will I love when I am older? Antarctica (God. Help. Me).
Globes helped us learn and entertained us as kids. Since they're not as necessary as they had been in the past thanks to, you know, Google Maps...they have made a real comeback as a vintage décor item for the home.
Here is what you need to know about the Vintage Globes you encounter….
What is the difference between china and porcelain?
I thought it might be helpful if we start to explore some variations of products and learn about the basics of terminology.
China, Ceramics, Porcelain and Bone China....all these terms get super confusing. So, let's do a little flow chart here to help.
What are Asparagus Servers?
Asparagus Servers and Forks come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. I am always so intrigued by how the times change and what is considered to be so in fashion.
According to The Silver Lining, the first Asparagus servers were tongs that were "scissor like" and appeared in the 18th Century.
Vintage Toast Rack: What Is It and What To Do With It
It seems you can't hardly flip through a magazine anymore without seeing a vintage toast rack on a desk holding stationary or mail. Don't get me wrong, I use one for the exact same thing on my desk.
But what exactly are they and what was their original purpose.
Jefferson Cups: Versatile Vintage Gems for Entertaining
The vintage Jefferson Cup is the work horse of your entertainment arsenal, folks.
According to Monticello's website, Thomas Jefferson created these in 1810 after melting down silver cups that were given to left to him in the death of a friend. He created a set of 8. This tumbler style was a low round-bottomed cup that had a much thicker base than sides. This extra weight made the cups sturdy helped them from tipping over. They were all the rage at the time and were often used in traveling.
What is a Strawberry Fork?
This unique piece of flatware was used on the table during the late 19th Century and still makes a fabulous addition to your dessert table!
What is a compote?
The easiest way to describe a compote is a dish, bowl or vessel that is on a pedestal or some kind of footed stand. They can be used for a candy dish, a centerpiece, to hold a collection. Simply put, they can be used in lieu of a standard bowl where you want to add visual interest and height!
What is “MonkeyPod”?
“MonkeyPod” is a word you will often see stamped on the bottom of wooden Mid Century pieces. But what exactly is and how do you identify it? Today we will explore this mid century staple.