I have a few little obsessions…
just a few though.
😉
Actually- being obsessed with silver flatware isn’t too bad.
I used to have much larger obsessions.
Like chairs.
Yes, I was obsessed with chairs one time.
I don’t know how many chairs I fell in love with and decided they needed to be rescued.
I think I might have had about a dozen random different style and size
chairs taking up space in the garage at one point.
Upholstered with great details. Wooden with fabric seats or just plain wood.
They were taking over. So I fixed them up and sold them
and kept just the ones that ‘talked’ to me loudly.
Thankfully, I have not been collecting anything large for awhile.
My grandmother had a couple random pieces of silver mixed in with her everyday flatware.
I remember admiring it’s vintage look and finish that was so different than the rest of the drawer.
She gave me the few pieces she had years ago and I just love them
and have been collecting my own pieces for years.
and have been collecting my own pieces for years.
Vintage silver is one of my favorite things to collect.
Random pieces are easily found at thrift stores – a lot of time just mixed in with the regular
flatware- and you can also find them at flea markets
I found a whole set of silver with serving utensils included in a box at a yard sale recently.
I have ahem a *few* pieces… but sharing just some of them today.
My absolute biggest crush when it comes to vintage silver is
anything and everything
monogrammed.
I love it.
Love it love it love it.
It doesn’t have to be my letter on the monogram- though that is a huge bonus.
I just love monograms in general and if I find a piece and it’s monogrammed~
there is a good chance it is coming home with me.
I love mismatched pieces at the table.
I am not a perfectionist where it all has to be just so.
I actually have two sets of silver that are almost complete and are all matching.
Even when matching a couple pieces for a place setting
I vary each one and pick a few pieces and then add a few random ones
Sometimes I love my silver all polished and pretty
and
sometimes I love it tarnished and full of vintage charm.
It’s a ‘mood’ thing.
🙂
I have heard so many people say they hate polishing silver
I actually love polishing silver~ it’s relaxing to me.
So if the silver is wearing tarnish over here
it’s because I like the look of it.
Someone recently asked me
about where I store all the random pieces of silver.
I use old sewing machine drawers for them.
They stack nicely in a cupboard and they are also easy to bring out to the table
to choose your pieces from.
I have also simply set them on the table for a more casual setting
and they fit in perfectly since there is something charming about them already.
Silver flatware isn’t my only silver obsession of course 😉
I’ll share more soon.
Happy Tuesday!!
Dawna (Stitches from the Tub) says
Courtney, I share your obsession with silver and also had a thing for chairs. Monogrammed pieces have their own personalities and add such joy to the table. Years ago my silver quest was for salt cellar spoons. I had to stop when I decided I really didn't need more than 30. LOL
Sunflowers With Smiles says
Lovely collection, love the tarnished look!
Great idea on how you have them stored in drawers!
Have a wonderful week!
Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking says
Oh what a great collection. So pretty!!
Orlando Designs says
its so pretty!!!
FABBY'S LIVING says
Wow Courtney, now these I call a FIND! Love silver too and maybe I have an obsession too. Lovely collection! Hugs,
FABBY
martinealison says
Tout comme vous j'aime la belle argenterie…
Gros bisous
Sherry at The Rusty Pearl says
Yes I love the one little thing that can start it all.. CLOCKS is my newest . Little old ones LOL .. Bowls another LOL ……….Blessings my sweet blogging sister ……….Sherry @ The Rusty Pearl
Heidi @ Decor & More says
I love vintage silver, too — I have a complete set of my own from years ago, but love picking up the odd pieces to give a variety. Nice post!
xo Heidi
CEO Lisa Anne - L.A says
Beautiful silver collection! Lovely photo's!
hugs,
Lisa
Unknown says
Beautiful collection, I love it.
Pieced Pastimes says
Vintage silver is a favorite of mine as well. Love how you use the sewing drawers for your flatware. There is something about the patina of a tarnished silver piece that draws me in. Thanks for sharing,
Suzanne
Sarah says
Lovely, Courtney. I have a bit of a silver obsession too. Thanks for sharing. Great idea to use the old sewing drawers for storage. I use crocks.
Nancy Carr says
Courtney, I love monograms, too. And details on everything. I love that you store the silver in old sewing machine drawers which I also love. Aren't we blessed to be passionate people?
The Porcelain Rose says
LOL! I too….. have a "vintage" obsession.
I love vintage silver and have amassed quite a collection. I think they are much prettier than those you see today.
I also love vintage chairs! That's funny……. we cleaned out the garage a couple of months ago and I was shocked at how many I have. I not only use them in the house but out doors as well………. on the porch, the deck, in the garden and in my shabby shed. A girl can't have to many chairs or to much silver!
Thanks for sharing your lovelies with us.
Will visit again soon.
Elizabeth
Tanya says
I never knew vintage silver could be so lovely!
My not so secret obsession is Princess House Crystal and lovely clear glass vases. I'm thinking about branching out to white vases and pitchers for flowers.
Urban Farmhouse Chic says
I am looking at my little collection of vintage silver and wishing it could turn into a nice collection like you have! Your photos are beautiful and I live the styling of them also…Janet
jp says
Beautiful….pinned it!
NanaDiana says
I have been a chair collector over the years, too. I am slowly getting rid of them. I love them- new/old/battered/bruised…doesn't matter. Love your silver- I like that, too.
I am giving a little nod to you on my blog tomorrow about your feature in March's Romantic Homes- xo Diana
Heaven's Walk says
I love old silverware, too, Courtney. I treasure the sets that my mother, grandmother, and MIL gave to me over the years. Full sets ~ in beautiful hinged storage boxes ~ of glorious silvery history. Seeing your monogrammed pieces makes me wonder what the family was like that owned that piece, you know? Such wonderful history behind every single one. A story in itself…. 🙂
xoxo laurie
Anne says
What a beautiful collection Courtney! I have some silver pieces too.Although I don't really collect it but love to use it.I have not monogram piece those are a true gem!Oh yes the chair obsession.I think I have that one now too.I have a chair I am working on.And I keep finding worn chippy original paint pieces that I just love.I need to stop though!My husband is going to think I am crazy LOL!
Beautiful photos!
xx
Anne
Unknown says
What a cute idea. I have lots of old silver plate, but never thought of storing them in the cute old sewing drawers! I may have to steal your idea.
[email protected] says
Beautiful, you take the best pictures!
belmonili says
What a great post! My grandmother ALWAYS used silver, and she had the most beautiful mish-mash collection. I remember pulling open her kitchen drawer and inspecting the variations on the handles. I also love monograms, but I have to say that flowers are my favorites. Thanks for sharing!
-Lucy
Leisa says
Beautiful! I love silver when it takes on a patina as well… there is something tougher and more edgy about it when it's all rough and dark 🙂
Silver Magpies says
A gorgeous collection. I love finding other like-minded silver collectors!
– Nan
Lara says
The monogrammed pieces are my faves, too and your pieces are just lovely! 🙂 I like how you wrapped the little blooms with them!
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Beautiful silver collection…I try to collect my monogram, but "S's" are harder to find, so I collect ones with pretty details…Such a great idea to store them in the sewing machine drawers! Looking forward to seeing your "other obsession"…
flowerlady464 says
Think I need to find more pieces! Have my great grandma's iced tea spoons…lovely. Last summer they lived in a lovely French canning jar on my counter. Bet they make a return appearance before long!
Anonymous says
Oh Courtney~ I'm with ya girl!
I can't leave the silver alone, eSPECIALly when monogrammed!
And it's totally my favorite thing to mix and match all the patterns!
Catherine
Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home says
Such a pretty collection, love that they aren't all the same!
🙂
Cindy
Faded Charm says
Funny…..I posted about my newest collection(or obsession is probably a better term) too! And I know what you mean about collecting large items….I've had to give it up cause there is no more room…haha.
Enjoy your week,
xoxo
Kathleen
Ostrich Fern says
This is such a beautiful post. Your choice is different from other. I like it so much. Thank you for sharing.
Nadia@loveliveandgarden says
I can never resist dishes and flowers for the garden. We all have to have our fun 🙂
Elizabeth Cooper says
Wow, what a great collection you have here Courtney, me too I am obsessed of silver…I guess only werewolf who are not obsessed of silver they were afraid of it…LOL By the way thanks for sharing 🙂
PamLuvsPink says
Hi Courtney!!
I've always loved silver from when a great aunt lived with us and I use to polish her silver back in the ''70s. When she passed it went to my mom and mom and I use to polish it together and have a great time chatting. It will come to me…
When my hubby and I use to go to flea markets and garage sales I would pick-up some great pieces. Once I bought a 6 place set. Just beautiful!! I love the idea of the sewing drawers. I love wooden boxes and baskets to put them in.
I love to think where they were and what beautiful china went with them. Just fun stuff to think about.
Pam
xox
shirlgirl says
Do you collect silver plated or sterling silver?
Francine Gardner says
I love antique silver! but my obsession is glasses, chrystal, venetian, clear or colorful, modern or ornate. My cabinets are bursting at the seam with glasses
Unknown says
Courtney,
Simply beautiful, just like everything you do! Can't wait to see your other "obsession"!
Be well my friend,
Susan
Curtains in My Tree says
Dito, I love the vintage silverware and hoard it
Anonymous says
Oh, how pretty – thanks for sharing!
Linda@Coastal Charm says
Hello Courtney,
Looks like we both love colleting vintage silverware, and yes, finding engraved pieces is a bonus!!
Blessings,
Linda
Anonymous says
I think you have inspired me to start collecting vintage silverware too, it's SO pretty. Love your blog, you have such a great way of styling your photos.
Anonymous says
Gorgeous post as usual. I love chairs too. My husband almost divorced me over the amount of "chairs" I had stored in the garage at one point waiting for thier makeovers!
Unknown says
Courtney: While in Goodwill I found a bag of silver knives and forks with MOP handles with no price. The man who works there wrote $2.99 on the bag. There were 8 knives and 8 forks. Oh Happy Day!! I had fun polishing them and seeing the beautiful shine.
miss flibbertigibbet says
Beautiful collection Courtney! I too have a drawer full of silver plate mismatch but am also,lucky to have a set of matched sterling. It is so beautiful I rarely use it……I really should…
Anonymous says
Thanks for the display ideas for my booth in the antique mall. I can hardly wait to try the storage idea, and tieing the pieces with a ribbon and flower, plus pairing tarnish and polished. I too enjoy polishing the silver, and it looks so pretty when finished.
Anonymous says
I'm in love with tarnish silver myself. Your collection is fabulous. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers,
Miss Ellie
Anonymous says
I've collected rare, mostly Victorian-era, silver flatware for years. It does become an obsession. Nothing like a Shiebler Etruscan cheese scoop or a Tiffany Indian serving spoon to get my blood racing. It's expensive but probably a good investment over time.