July 11, 2016
SPOONFUL OF STYLE
by Candice Marzetz | Posted in:
DÉCOR + HOME

I unearthed these Guilloché (gee-oh-SHAY) spoons at the Springfield Antiques & Flea Market on a rainy weekend in May. Having been on a cobalt kick for a while, the intensely brilliant blue one caught my eye— and then I spied the lemon yellow one minutes later at another booth.
Guilloché is a French word that means “engine turning,” and guilloche pieces are created by a machine similar to a lathe that engraves metal with a series of intricate, overlapping patterns. In the late 19th century, Imperial jeweler Carl Fabergé married guilloché engraving with colored enamel, and the trend took off all over Europe.
My blue spoon is of Danish origin, and I’m still searching to determine the history of the yellow one. If you’ve seen one like it, or know anything about it, I’d love to hear from you. Until then, I’m just going to admire the interplay of colors and keep my eyes open for more of this gorgeous goodness at my next Flea…stay tuned.
June 4, 2016
BRINGING IT HOME
by Candice Marzetz | Posted in:
DÉCOR + HOME

So, I got my peonies home from Red Twig Farms and got down to my favorite thing about flowers—arranging them! I’m not a huge fan of glass vases; I don’t like seeing the stems, and the water gets gunky. So I reached for my trusty art deco creamware vase from Zanesville, Ohio’s own Shawnee Pottery. The Shawnee company opened in 1937, and their pieces are pretty easy to find at flea markets and antiques stores—many for a fairly reasonable price. Best of all, their matte finish and (usually) muted colors let the blossoms be the stars, which in my mind is kind of the point. If you’re out and about, keep your eyes open for Shawnee vases, as well as pieces from McCoy, Roseville, and Hull, which have a similar vibe.
And don’t feel like you have to be limited to vases! I use all sorts of vessels—whatever I find in the house—to hold fresh flowers. To date, I’ve used pitchers, ice buckets, coffee mugs, and tea pots & cups. I’ve even placed glass jars inside decorative boxes and paper bags. The next time someone brings you flowers, take a look around your home to see what might work…I know you’ll love the results.