China Tales

Entertaining
May 30, 2013

Good morning everyone! Sorry for the lack of posts for the last two days, I was organizing a little garden party (pictures to come soon!) and I was running around a bit crazed. Throwing this little party got me thinking about china, and china patterns … The picture above, which most of you saw last year after my first attempt at hosting Thanksgiving dinner, features a Spode Heritage dinner plate set over a larger, more casual dinner plate from Fishs Eddy in NYC. This photo gives you an idea of how much American appetites have changed, dinner plates today are considerably larger than older plates!

This photo allows you to see the full print of the Spode Heritage dinner plate. Founded in the UK in 1776, Spode continues to manufacture China to this day. The Heritage pattern above, was in production for a short ten years, from 1962-1972. Somehow my husband ended up with twelve of these dinner plates. No other pieces, just twelve dinner plates, so I like to mix and match them with other things.

This is Herend Chinese Bouquet in rust. This is my mother’s wedding china. I absolutely adore the rust color, and was tempted to register for something in rust, but as my mother pointed out, these will be mine some day. This pattern has been extremely popular with friends of mine, but blue and green have been the popular choices. So far, my mother remains unique and chic in her choice of color/pattern combination (no surprise there mom).

This is Herend’s Fish Scale pattern in Green, which makes up a piece of my wedding china. I decided to mix and match china, because I wanted to have the ability to execute a variety of different looks with my china. I believe that green is applicable in more seasons than any other color. Christmas dinner, spring luncheon, summer party – you name it, it works. I chose Fish Scale because I liked its exotic simplicity. The scales are so unique, but the plate is still simple, and acts as the perfect canvas for whatever plate you might stack on top …

This is Meissen Ming Dragon II in green, which makes up the second piece of my wedding china. To me, it was as if the Herend Fish Scale and the Meissen Ming Dragon II were meant for each other. The Ming Dragon II has both a vintage feel and a modern edge to it. When stacked atop the Fish Scale dinner plate, the Fish Scale border coordinates wonderfully with the scales on the dragon. The placement of the dragon on the Ming Dragon II dessert plate is key, he curves along with the plate so that when there is food on the plate, it is possible to still see the dragon.

This is Herend Golden Edge. Unfortunately, the Fish Scale pattern does not come in serving pieces, and as I said I like to mix and match I thought I would add two golden edge serving pieces to the mix. So while I have a Ming Dragon gravy boat and a couple larger platters, I decided to add a couple of golden edge serving bowls. What’s wonderful about Golden Edge, especially the serving pieces, is that they coordinate nicely with more casual white china. This way you can sneak in a little sparkle at the dinner table without changing the overall casual experience of the party.

So whatever china pattern you choose, or your mother chose, or that you inherit, have fun with it! Mix and match, do something different. And use it as much as you can. There is no occasion where breaking out your best stuff is not appropriate – it’s your party!

Images courtesy of Scully & Scully, Lacquered Life, Replacements Ltd.

Out East Down South

Designers
May 23, 2013

Over the past 10 summers I have spent a great deal of time out East. And over the past 10 summers I watched as the local stores closed and larger, more expensive retail chains took over. Goodbye local store, hello Gucci. And the thing was, I probably wouldn’t have complained as much had the new retail stores been anything that I was interested in shopping. (This obviously does not go for JCrew). Of course, now that I have left NYC, and my frequent visits to Long Island, a store that I would love to peruse on summer weekends has opened in Wainscott. To toast Serena & Lily’s opening, here are some of my current favorites.

Despite the fact that these Fouta Towels are in fact bath towels, I might be inclined to bring one on the beach. Although I will miss summers on the East End, and won’t get to see the Serena & Lily store until later in the summer, it is already full on beach weather here in Charleston – and I have a tan. Good trade, don’t you think?

Photos courtesy of Serena & Lily

Love of the Outdoors

Architecture
May 20, 2013

mckinnon and harris 3 — duVal-Alexander Collection

McKinnon and Harris, outdoor furniture craftsmen based out of Richmond, VA. A Southern brand, which interestingly I found an advertisement for while perusing my latest issue of World of Interiors. I very rarely come across outdoor furniture that I absolutely love, so this was definitely an exception. It is important to note, however, that McKinnon and Harris do not refer to themselves as purveyors of outdoor furniture, but rather estate, garden, and yacht furniture.

Made of high performance aluminum, and manufactured in the historic Scott’s Addition neighborhood of Richmond, McKinnon and Harris furniture is meant to remain outside all year long and to withstand the elements for years to come. Each piece of McKinnon and Harris furniture is guaranteed for life.

Each piece of furniture is crafted by hand, and in a nod to the company’s craftspeople, each piece is signed by its maker. The lines of each piece of furniture are so perfectly executed, and the scale of each piece is truly wonderful.

These photos above were all shot at Virginia House in Richmond, VA. Built by Alexander and Virgina Weddell, and completed just before the crash of 1929, Virginia House was constructed with material from a 16th century English manor house, which the Weddells bought at a demolition sale in the UK. (Look for more information on Virginia House later this week!)

These two photos above and below, were taken at Milford Plantation here in South Carolina. A part of the Classical American Homes Preservation Trust founded by Richard Jenrette, the homes in this collection will be protected forever.

I am not sure whether it is the McKinnon and Harris sectional, the Spanish Moss, or the knowledge that this is on the lawn at Milford Plantation that makes me want to lounge in this space all day, sweet tea or Planters Punch in hand. Southern companies like these, committed to their craftsmanship, are one of the reasons that I am proud to live in the South.

Photos courtesy of McKinnon and Harris, for more information visit www.mckinnonharris.com