Spring is well and truly in the air. Not freezing cold meteorological spring. Not the first daffodils are pushing through the bare, frozen ground spring. But genuine warm weather spring. Its finally here …. outdoor entertaining season spring.
Silver al Fresco
Just because you’ve moved outside and even though it’s not holiday season anymore, that doesn’t mean the silver has to be consigned back into the attic or basement. The silver will be just as beautiful, functional and appropriate outside as it is in.
Here are three simple guidelines for setting a sublime silver al fresco table this spring
1. Mix your silver with wood and ceramic pieces.
A rustic cherry cutting board and handmade ceramic bowls mixes and contrasts beautifully with an array of silver serving pieces.
Even the most formal silver pieces look incredibly striking when mixed in with wood and ceramics. The key to using your silver outside is to fearlessly mix and contrast. Got a fabulous wooden cutting board? Arrange a delicious antipasto spread on it and an array of silver serving pieces.
2. Don’t worry about mixing silver styles.
If you are reluctant to mix and match indoors, (and I’d urge would not to worry there either) the great outdoors offers a blank canvas to mix silver patterns patterns, styles, or eras. Play around with contrasting simple and ornate designs.
English Edwardian forks, an Aesthetic Era Strawberry spoon by Tiffany, and an Art Deco Gorham ladle all happily work with an wide array of serving dishes.
3. Add an unexpected twist.
Remember, you can use silver in not-so-traditional ways. A silver bowl is just as functional for serving tortilla chips as it is your heirloom recipe stuffing or dressing.
Cocktails al fresco, a fun way to repurpose a silver coffee or tea set.
Silver tea or coffee sets are spectacular to look at but rarely does anyone sit down to a formal afternoon tea these days. Repurpose a multi-piece set to serve cocktails on the terrace. The tea or coffee pot can hold a premixed cocktail, while the sugar bowl and creamer can hold syrups and garnishes.
Go ahead, have some silver al fresco fun!
Sources:
Miniature Sterling Silver Ice Tongs
Sterling Silver Mustard Spoon and Sugar Tongs
Edwardian Mother of Pearl and Silver Forks
Aesthetic Era Sterling Silver Tiffany Strawberry Spoon
Sterling Silver Art Deco Gorham Ladle
Sterling Silver Louis XV Coffee Set
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Nancy Stuckwisch has had a life-long fascination with silverware. Silver Magpies is where she sells, values, researches and blogs about vintage silver. She believes we should get the silver out of the cupboard, onto the table, and then into the dishwasher.
In addition to writing for The Daily Basics, Nancy also blogs on her own website and is a featured columnist for Silver magazine. Her shop features a large assortment of unique pieces.
