The quintessential guide to classic interior design, elegant entertaining & a genteel lifestyle.
(formerly Mummy's Monday Manners)
I added some ice to the bottom of my English,1880 silver syphon, and because of its slender size, I could place it on a side table in our Palm Beach living room. It is an elegant accessory that can be used to chill a bottle of wine or even a bottle of sparkling water, or… you name it!
My parents moved 33 times during my father’s career! Mummy taught me how to repurpose some of their silver pieces, which she did brilliantly, out of necessity. I hope to inspire you to not only use your silver, but to also consider using your pieces in a diverse, unique way.
Recently, I purchased an English silver “biscuit box,” c. 1975. It is the perfect size to store cookies for grandchildren or biscuits for a puppy. When I was preparing for an impromptu cocktail party at “Fox Worth,” our apartment in Palm Beach, I realized that I needed a more diminutive-sized ice bucket than what I had because our Louis XVI side table, where we serve champagne and drinks, has limited surface space. Suddenly, I spied the biscuit box in the kitchen and immediately repurposed it into an ice bucket. It could not have been any more perfect; even the hinged lid helps to keep the ice inside from melting! It was a seamless transition from cookies to ice cubes and has served me well for our Palm Beach parties. I did not have an ice scoop, so I opted to repurpose an antique silver tomato serving spoon, with a shell handle, to serve ice from the biscuit box. I hope to inspire you to think outside of the box!
The silver syphon, shown in the photograph above with a wine bottle, is used here as a flower vase. The English biscuit box is filled with ice, and the Sheffield basket holds See’s chocolates, but I also use it to serve my biscuits at dinner. Silver pieces from: Corbell Silver .
Here are 14 of my ideas for “repurposing silver accessories”:
A silver champagne cooler can be transformed brilliantly into a graceful flower vase.
A silver baby cup can serve as an hors d’oeuvres toothpick holder or a small flower vase.
A small silver cream pitcher is perfect for bedside flowers, or to serve warm syrup for pancakes.
A silver canaster can be used for any spice, powdered sugar, and more.
A silver tray, when placed under a floral arrangement, can “frame and enhance” the flowers, and it will serve to catch any pollen or falling blossoms.
Silver chargers are a splendid size to pass hors d’oeuvres.
Silver napkin rings can be filled with greenery to garnish a serving platter of prepared food.
A silver cigarette holder can be used to serve candies or toothpicks/skewers.
A silver punchbowl can be used to serve biscuits for a large party.
A silver mint julep cup can hold make-up brushes or q-tips.
A silver coaster is a perfect size to place some chocolates by your guest’s bedside.
A silver baby rattle works brilliantly as a carving knife rest.
A silver basket can be used for biscuits, chocolates, cookies, bread, crackers, nuts, and petit fours.
A silver picture frame can be transformed into a standing mirror by slipping in a piece of “mirrored glass” in the place of a photograph.
Do tell! How do you repurpose some of your silver pieces? I will add your ideas to my silver repertoire and share them with you, too!
Mummy’s silver umbrella was used back in the 60s as a chic cigarette holder for her bridge parties. I transformed it into a toothpick holder, to go alongside hors d'oeuvres… much more chic than smoking!
XX
Holly
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Holly Holden is an interior designer specializing in classic design internationally since 1989. She is an author, speaker, host and producer of an Emmy nominated public television series!