Monday, January 25, 2010

An Eperne Horn

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Last Christmas, a friend gave me a small bud vase made of clear glass known as an eperne horn. With its elegant lily shape, it is made to sit solidly on a table or tray holding a single flower with water. It is the perfect addition to a breakfast tray, or breakfast table setting.

I was delighted at an estate sale last week to find a similar vase from earlier years made of pressed iridescent glass, so simple yet so beautiful.

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I'll have to buy more lilies from now on.

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Sunday, January 10, 2010

A Favourite Aynsley China Pattern

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When visiting friends and relatives over the past year, I’ve noticed that people are getting away from being too casual. It seems like there is a return to dressing smartly and with polish. Many people, too, are using their good porcelain to entertain guests rather than keeping it hidden in a china cabinet. I find this trend delightful because it adds to my enjoyment and it keeps me from excessive numbers of visits to our ceramics museum and premier china shops.

After seeing and holding numerous pieces of china, I find that the different china factories have their own distinctive characteristics especially when it comes to the pattern designs.

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Aynsley China is one of my very favourite English manufacturers. It dates back to the eighteenth century and is still prospering today in Longton, England. This particular china I am featuring is Aynsley from 1960. I have a service for six available for sale that I will be listing individually in my online store. The pattern is Venetian and has a pure white background with a platinum border. The design is an understated grey-blue that co-ordinates well with current interiors. Antique china, vintage china, and brand new china give us more pleasure when we use them, rather than merely putting them on display.

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Friday, January 1, 2010

Happy New Year


I wish you a happy and prosperous New Year. I'm looking forward to an exciting 2010.

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To celebrate a casual New Year's brunch, the table is set with vintage Wedgwood Doric Platinum, Orrefors Intermezzo Blue goblets, Villeroy and Boch Vieux Luxembourg, Birks sterling silver Louis XV, and a mixture of modern and vintage crystal. Now four years old, the tablecloth is from the Lenox Shop in Freeport Maine. The napkins are paper. We're at the end of much Holiday entertaining.

Many thanks to all of my family, friends, and customers.

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