Variations for a theme: sport
Variations 3.
Archives
Antique porcelains
Many things have to be considered when buying antique porcelains. Collecting really rare and valuable pieces needs a little expertise, since many imitations are made. Here are some good advices before paying:
The objects made of original porcelain, e.g. pieces of a table set, are translucent. Put our hand behind the plate while turning it to the light: its shadow can be lightly seen through the material of the plate. For example, classic blue-white Worcester china made in the 1760s has greenish tone to the light. Examine carefully the selected object if there are hair-cracks on it, if the edge is chipped which is a very common failure and lower its value. If the glossy glazing is not even or maybe hazy, it might refer to post-repair. Gently run a needle or blade on the questioned surface. It will run along the immaculate glaze but stuck on the edge of a repair. Knocking it with a hard object or nails is another method. In normal case, it gives clear, a bit deep, clinking voice. If we hear a blunt voice, there is a crack on it somewhere.
It’s not easy to make a difference between the modern copies of antique porcelains from the originals. The lack of glaze on the bottom could be a strong point, where the hand-made pieces were got off the wheel after glazing. There always should be one or two tiny holes on the bottom or elsewhere on a hidden part of the figure porcelains. The gases arose during the burning were off here.
If products of a certain company are collected, always check up the used signs by the firm. These were changed during years but it is always found in special books which sign was used in which time interval. Popular patterns and colors of eras can be strong points for the age of the porcelain. If two marks show different eras, we may hold a copy in our hand. For example, the sign of Meissen porcelain is two swords cross each other, which changed during times but beside this, the number of cut patterns were marked, the number of the maker and the number of the painter also. The English „registered design” had two variations between 1842 and 1883 too.
Always carefully check up the purchasable rarities! There are many books in the topic but a professional can be asked for estimate.
Fringes, tassels…
Fringes, tassels, beads, ribbons – make our fabrics exciting
Saint Patrick’s Day
Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated on 17th of March by the catholic Irish. This habit is about the patron saint of the island who, according to the legend, has cast out all the snakes from the Emerald Island. Nowadays it became popular in the USA also thanks to the Irish who emigrated in the 1880s. There it is a real celebration which indicates the beginning of spring also. On this day, people traditionally wear green dresses. The three-leaf clover, green-clothed elf and the caldron full of gold are among its main symbols. Sending postcards with best wishes is typical to this holiday also.
Although this has no tradition in Hungary, if we would like to make an extra opportunity for a party or dinner with our friends, we can adapt these decoration ideas.
Since green and gold are the colors of the feast, we can easily refer to the special occasion with these. The buffet and the dinner table also can be decorated thus. Let’s cover the table with plain green tablecloth. Clover stickers can be put on seating cards and glasses. Let’s bake a clover-shaped cake covered with green marzipan. Full parsley-leaves can be put on the sandwiches but we can make cloves from cucumber also. The tops of the muffins and smaller cakes can be decorated with edible green glitter. Green napkins and straws can be purchased anywhere.
Take care of decorating the rooms also: green tulle or organza bows can be put on chairs and cushions. Let’s make garlands from green-white patterned wrapping papers or leftover fabrics and place them on the stair-rail, mantelpiece or curtain rods. Put greenish flowers in glass vases, for example half bloomed hydrangea, tulip or bamboo. Put ground into a white bowl and plant cloves in it. This will be a great table centerpiece. Place white candles in glass candle holders half-filled with green decor pebbles. The mood light gives coziness for the dining table. Green or green-white door wreath should be hung on the entrance door, it can be a simple round wreath or a clove-shaped ornament. Ask our guests to wear green clothes also.
If you would lie a special party, ask for help of a style-adviser for the perfect St. Patrick’s Day decoration.
Door wreaths 3.
Spring door decors – even DIY
Variations 2.
Variations for a theme: animals
Old objects
Loving old objects is still important in our running world. These are not necessarily hundreds-years old pieces for a fortune, but anything which was already used, served two or three generations, first of all, it has its own story.
This kind of object is beautiful, contains memories but naturally is not perfect since it was already used. The time left marks on it, unless it is newly restored. The paint is a bit more matted, the lacquering is scraped, the handle is discolored, fabric is a bit faded. The inherited objects symbolize also the family itself. Its size, material or real value doesn’t matter. Old objects have the specialty to move our imagination even if we get them from a stranger. When for example a chest of drawers is purchased on a flea market or on the internet, it is unlikely that we will know its history, but the furniture tells stories about itself. Just because of its age, we try to imagine, how many places it stood already, who used it, probably how it survived the World Wars. This remains the same, even it is repainted, its handles are changed or glass is put in its doors. Those who enters in our home, will feel the age of the furniture.
The love of old objects is independent from the fact that who likes which style. They give life to all interiors and turn the flat to a home. For example, an old painting fits well for a minimalist interior also. A trade sign from the beginning of the century or antique saws can be placed on the wall instead of pictures in a loft furnished in the latest trend. This is much more evident in the case of classic styles. A lot of copy and re-manufactured household objects can be purchased in shops nowadays. Anyhow, the mood can be rally spiced with placing at least one piece of real antiques in the space. Notice our guests’ reactions: everybody will watch this one first.
If you look after a special and unique antique piece for your home, take an expert along to the purchasing trip for excluding forgeries. Do you want to design the furniture around a given piece? Would you like your flat being vivified by a fitting antique? Ask for help of an interior designer for planning.
Valentine’s Day
14th of February is Valentine day and celebrated worldwide. This is the day of love. Its origin is not clear. The mating period of birds starts at the middle of Februery, maybe this observation led to the emergence of this feast. Traditionally love is assigned to this day, but we can give surprises not only our love, but our family and friends as well.
Its traditional decoration motives are rose, heart, Amor, arrow and pigeon. Customized colors are red and all shades of pink. Celebrate this day with a complete home decoration, not only a romantic dinner. Hang a heart shaped decoration on the front door made of red roses or pink paper flowers. Place colourful candles, garlands made of hearts and small puttos on the mantle. In the bedroom, we can change the blankets and the cushions to red, the lampshades can be decorated by boas, cushions can be scattered with flower petals and a heart can be formed by candles on the floor. In the bathroom, place candles to the bathtub and shelves. Hang out red or red edged towels. Pour rose scented bubble bath into the bath water. Dinner table should be decorated by candles and red plates, which can be part of the everyday, other coloured dinner set. Red glasses and damask nepkins are also decorative. A bucket of rose looks good everywhere. If you feel red color too dominant, combine it with lot of white, thus only the important motifs will strike your eyes. For a less formal, youthful mood let’s apply the hues of pink instead of red.
If you would like to surprise your loved ones with a special Valentine’s Day mood, ask help from an interior designer for decoration.
Variations 1.
Variations for a theme: shipping
Carnival
The carnival season starts at Epiphany and lasts to Ash Wednesday, its end is also a winter farewell. This is the traditional period of carnivals and masquerades. In Hungary, it’s used to be celebrated mostly in schools and kindergartens, but costume parties are more and more popular at the adults also. Let’s organize a light and funny evening for our friends in carnival spirit.
We can use many of the New Years scenery: caps, masks, serpentines. As the carnival is also about the cavalcade of colors, we can be quite daring in this topic. Let’s choose three powerful color hues and use it as a base of decoration. They can be e.g. deep purple, turquoise and lime green. The best if we purchase decorations made of shimmering material. Their concentrated effect can be compensated using white, black and silver colors. When having a masquerade party, we can ask our guests to wear the same, ambient colors in clothing (e.g.: white, black, gray), but their masks should reflect the above main colors. If the party will be a costume event, the complete costume should be designed with the given three colors regardless to the theme.
For this occasion, Swedish buffet fits the best. Sweet and salty snacks can be eaten while standing, they also can be decorated fitting the color scheme. Cookies can be colored by frosting or marzipan decorations. Sandwiches can be topped by lime slices, or butter crème roses tinted by food coloring. Napkins, straws and cocktail sticks are easy to be purchased in lots of different colors.
To plan and select the colors for a real elegant style of serving, ask for help from a style expert before sending out the invitations.
