Antique and Vintage Glassware - An Obsession

OK ... I admit it ... I'm a sucker for vintage glass.  Kitchenware, glassware, pitchers, candle holders, bon bon dishes, bowls, decanters, centerpieces.  You name it -- I like it all.  Our Mothers and Grandmothers had their favorite pieces and patterns, from makers such as Fostoria, Cambridge, Anchor Hocking and Libbey.  And don't forget the 'special occasion' glassware, typically from Waterford, Baccarat or Steuben.  Not to be overlooked is gorgeous lead crystal from Scandinavian makers Kosta Boda and Orrefors. 

Sadly, as the years rolled by, old sets of glassware were usually relegated to boxes in the basement or attic, where they sat, unused and unappreciated.  If no one in the family wanted them, they were often donated to thrift shops or simply thrown away.

However, glass (especially clear glass) is experiencing a renaissance.  A new generation is realizing that the old adage, 'they don't make things like this anymore' certainly applies to fine glassware.  Setting a beautiful table for a party or family gathering is now back in style, and lovely glass is taking center stage once again.

And let's not leave out the man cave or bar area.  Beautifully etched and cut decanters, rocks glasses and tumblers are flying off the shelves.  Want a more Mad Men look?  Go for Imperial Hollywood Regency glassware, which comes in a variety of gold geometric designs. 

And beautiful glass isn't just meant for drinking.  Decorating with more utilitarian types of glass is also popular.  Apothecary jars, glass cylinders, spice jars, baking dishes and glass cookware offer a myriad of decor possibilities.  Fill a jar with lemons, pine cones, Christmas ornaments or anything your heart desires to add a pop of color to a monochromatic color palette.  Grandma's old glass mixing bowls evoke childhood memories of favorite cakes and licking the spoon. 

And whether decorating or setting a table, don't think that everything has to match.  If you're going for a shabby chic look, mismatched stemware and serving pieces on a rustic farm or harvest table is a perfect look.  Add a variety of beautiful dishware and different napkins, and your guests will be fighting over which place setting at which to sit!

No matter how you acquire your beautiful glass, here are a few tips to keep it in tip-top shape.

• Never ... repeat after me ...NEVER wash your fine stemware in the dishwasher.  They will end up clean, but they will eventually be etched by the abrasives found in most dishwasher detergents.  Etching equals cloudiness -- not good!
• So, to keep that Cambridge Rose Point (or other favorite pattern) shining and crystal clear, hand wash in hot water with your favorite liquid detergent (I use Dawn).
• Put each piece into the sink individually (as you wash it).  Don't stack glasses in the sink for them to clink together -- that is the easiest way to acquire fleabites and rim chips.
• Store your glassware upside down on a shelf or hanging from their bases on a rack to keep dust from building up on the inside.

And most important of all -- don't just look at your beautiful glassware.  USE IT!!!

By Mary Farley

Glass Cat Vintage

5 Spring Must Have's

Who doesn’t enjoy adding a few new things to their home and their wardrobe as the seasons are changing? Here are a few ideas for how to bring some fresh fashions into your life this Spring without breaking your budget: 

1)     A pretty sun hat – perfect for gardening or an afternoon tea party. Wearing a unique style accent like one of these cute hats will make your friends and neighbors want to know where you have been shopping. 

2)     Vases for fresh cut flowers – think outside of the box – use vintage pitchers, antique apothecary bottles, mason jars – anything that holds water as a statement piece flower vase.

3)     An artistic piece for the garden – iron, tin, wood – anything with an appealing architectural shape. Get out the spray paint if you want to change the color of your new garden piece.

4)     The perfect front porch chair – something comfortable for relaxing at the end of a long day. Add a colorful pillow in an outdoor fabric that ties in with your home’s exterior color scheme.

5)     Cheerful drink glasses - for entertaining friends or for enjoying a quiet moment to yourself. Lemonade and iced tea will be even more refreshing when served in a fun, vintage glass.

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Author - Dianne Ripper is owner of D-R Designs Jewelry and Eclectibles Antiques. 

Travel with Us to Paris

It is always inspiring in the antique business to work with a decorating theme. We are loving the beauty-filled and romantic theme of “Springtime in Paris” at Good Ju Ju this April. Our vendors are busy adding touches of cheer to their spaces with vintage and antique French themed items. The combination of vintage, Spring and Paris lead creative minds toward many enticing decorating options – bursts of color inspired by the arrival of Spring flowers, chippy flower pots, concrete bird baths, elegant iron garden gates, rain drenched stone walkways.

Even if you aren’t planning a trip to Paris this Spring, here are a few ideas to help you feel like you have brought a little vintage French spirit into your home and into your heart:

Feel the Romance of the French Flower Markets – Gardens and Flower Markets in France are epic in their beauty and richness. Make your home feel like Springtime in Paris by bringing a bouquet of fresh flowers into the house. If you have blooming flowers in your yard, this couldn’t be easier. If you don’t have flowers or flowering bushes in your garden, stop by the supermarket on the way home from work and treat yourself to a Springtime bouquet. Fill a favorite antique vase, metal garden planter or mason jar with freshly cut tulips, daffodils, daisies or forsythia branches. Put a large bouquet in a prominent location and smaller bouquets (or even a single stem) on your nightstand or bathroom sink. Smile, smell the fresh floral scent, and think of Spring and nature’s simple beauty before you go to bed and the first thing when you wake up.

You can almost smell the flowers at this market in Paris.

Be a Tourist – Decorate your home with images of your favorite French tourist spots – the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, Versailles – pick any favorite and add a lovely picture, print, or vintage statuette to your existing décor in a place where you can look at it often – the dining room table, your bedroom dresser, a windowsill in the kitchen. Every time you see it, smile and think of sightseeing in Paris – exploring a treasured site on a carefree day.

Treat Yourself and a Friend – On your next trip to the grocery store, pick up some freshly baked croissants or a baguette. Call a friend and invite him or her over for brunch or afternoon tea or for an evening drink. Decorate the area where you plan to entertain with a few simple Springtime pieces. For brunch or tea, set the croissants on a pretty floral or antique silverplate tray. Set the table with linen napkins and get out the china teacups. Don’t forget the fresh flowers that you now have in the house. For an evening get-together, set out some wine and cheese with the baguette. Toast the celebration of Spring and friendship. Most importantly, appreciate that fact that you have taken time out of your busy schedule to sit back, relax and enjoy the company of a good friend. 

Dianne Ripper is owner of D-R Designs Jewelry and Eclectibles Antiques. She loves vintage pieces with character and a story, elegant design details and chocolate chip cookies.