Thank-you so much for your concern and good wishes for my son. He is really making great progress and should be back at school in a week's time. I would also like to extend a warm welcome to the new followers and readers of my blog! It's lovely to meet you.
 |
| Source unknown |
Now on to today's post ... I am a collector and a gatherer and have been for many years. I have collected cream jugs and candle holders, bread boards and baskets, tea pots and tureens, and, well, you get the picture! When we moved back into our newly renovated house a few years ago, I decided to pare down my belongings and gave away tons of stuff. I have been quite disciplined about not accumulating too much since then. I have not stopped collecting, but I now mostly satisfy my habit by collecting images of the things that I like rather than the objects themselves. It's better for my shelves and surfaces and kinder on my budget. I can also collect things that I could never collect in real life like staircases and water features!
The virtual collection I am going to show you today is my cutlery collection.
 |
| via coty farquhar blog |
I am a real sucker for bone handled cutlery and have built up quite a collection over the years. (An actual collection - not a virtual one!) Mostly bought at antique markets or secondhand shops, it's not always in tip top condition, but that adds to its appeal.
 |
| Via Willow Decor |
 |
| Via Tara Dennis |
 |
| Via Atlanta Bartlett |
Antique silver-plated cutlery is just so beautiful, whether it is in the ornate Kings pattern or the plainer Fiddle design, it's patina has so much more appeal than the stainless steel cutlery that abounds today.
 |
| Via A Perfect Gray |
 |
| Via Tumblr |
 |
| Via Sotto il Monte Vineyards |
 |
| Via Tumblr |
 |
| Via Tumblr |
 |
| Via Dusty Lu |
 |
| Via Retro Mod Girl |
 |
| Via Tumblr |
 |
| Via Tumblr |
 |
| Via Tumblr |
 |
| Via Willow Decor |
 |
| Via peterstone.com |
 |
| Via The Little Corner |
 |
| Via A Perfect Gray |
And finally, the cutlery draw of my dreams...
 |
| Via Casa Decorada |
Cutlery is not exclusively used for eating. I have seen the design used on table mats and napkins...
 |
| Via Casa Decorada |
...cleverly used as plant markers...
 |
| Via Tumblr |
 |
| Via Tumblr |
...used as inspiration for art work...
 |
| Source unknown |
...or use the actual thing to adorn your walls...
 |
| Via Pinterest |
.....or even recycled into earrings or a gorgeous bracelet!
 |
| Via Google |
And finally used to make a unique set of hooks.
 |
| Source unknown |
 |
| Source unknown |
Do any of you have virtual collections or is this habit just peculiar to me? I would love to hear from you.
Till next time
Sharon x
Hi Sharon, I'm not a virtual collector, but I might just become one now. What a novel idea!
ReplyDeleteI love silver,too especially the old initialed pieces, ... so romantic.
Gorgeous images.
Hugs,
Patti
Dear Sharon, I too have a penchant for tarnished vintage cutlery....and this virtual collection is lovely, truly. I like to display it in old pressed glass spooners, and I especially like the photo you show in the wicker tray dividers....very pretty. I have been editing as well these days preparing for our renovation, how much we accumulate and collect over the years...I still love the thrill of the hunt! Glad to hear your little one is on the mend. N.xo
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon, l laughed when I read that you could collect more (staircases) in the virtual world! So true; we have the collection, but not the guilt nor the hoarding concerns. I love antique cutlery and have a luncheon set that came in its original felt pockets. It only gets used a few times a year, but when it does, I smile inside:) ...other than that, I think that I collect chairs...it's like I am expecting 50 people to arrive for a formal dinner! Ah well, could be worse;) Brenda.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea I could do all this with cutlery! Wonderful collection Sharon! I've got a small collection of the bone handled cutlery too and love it.
ReplyDeleteIt's difficult to resist the temptation to collect or save things. For me - it's an ongoing process of re organizing.
Enjoy the start to a new week!
leslie
OH my goodness, I love collections. It is so hard to stop. I love to hunt things out, searching for that special thing. Virtual collections really are the go. I have a little collection of bone cutlery and use it everyday. Lovely post. Leahx
ReplyDeleteLOve the cutlery. It is right up my alley. Jane (NZ) :)
ReplyDeleteI really loved the way they are stored in jars instead of drawers too!! Glad your son is better!! Leslie
ReplyDeleteI also am a cutlery addict - real, not virtual. I have collected from virtually every era: ivory-handled, bone-handled, hotel silver, sterling, bakelite, wood-handled, mid-century stainless...you get the idea. I am a dish-aholic too. The fact is I love to collect many things for my home. I am trying the virtual route -- Pinterest -- to store images that are inspirational and delightful. I am not out of room, just out of need.
ReplyDeleteThis post has some lovely storage and display ideas. Thanks for sharing.
Best...Victoria
Like you I quit collecting things a few years ago. Thanks to pinterest I can collect anything I want without needing to dust it!
ReplyDeleteXX
Debra~
Sorry I missed the episode of your son and his appendix earlier, but I'm pleased to know he's better. I know you must be relieved.
ReplyDeleteI have some old family silver-plate that we use on a daily basis (when we're not using the good stuff). I see some of my silver-plate knifes in the Via Sotto il Monte Vineyards photo. I wish I could follow your example and collect only images. My shelves and drawers are bulging and my husband is complaining.
Sam
I am so glad your son is better. I have never thought of collecting cutlery pieces, but they are very beautiful. The jars are a great way to displayed them. I also love the bone handles.
ReplyDeleteMagnifique collection !
ReplyDeleteA good idea to collect only images ... Je vais y penser !
Glad than your son feel better ...
Sharon,
ReplyDeleteI love your flatware...I too love flatware and dishes. I think some of the patterns of your flatware and dinnerware should come together to create a post for your loyal fans!
Karen
Love, love bone handled cutlery...yet I have none...have often thought of starting a collection as I come upon it out and about ...Glad that your son is on the mend. XO, Mona
ReplyDeleteLike french monogrammed linen make my heart melt, so does old monogrammed silver and bone..
ReplyDeleteThank you for putting together so many gorgeous images and your excellent way of collecting!
Have a lovely week
Colette xx
Nice post,
ReplyDeleteand a very lovely thing to collect too, I'm into potteries collection myself and I love displaying them once in a while in the kitchen.
I guess I'm a virtual collector too,
of homes no less, and everything is on display in my blog.
Thanks for that term 'virtual collector' I like that a lot.
The images are lovely, thank you for posting them. I adore the idea of using cutlery as plant markers.
ReplyDeleteI am glad your son is doing better.
I found you via Pinterest.
I am your newest linky follower.