Bring the Timeless Beauty of Silver Into Your Home
Silver...functional, elegant, and timeless...just some of the qualities you’ll find in this precious metal. I absolutely love using and decorating with silver...be it sterling or silverplate. Any visit to Houzz quickly assures me I’m not alone.
Some quick facts about silver: Sterling silver is actually an alloy of silver. It is comprised of 92.5% (by weight) of silver and 7.5% (by weight) of other metals, usually copper. Fine silver, which is 99.9 pure, is considered too soft to make functional objects for everyday use, thus, the need to include an alloy like copper for added strength. One way to usually verify if an item is actually sterling silver is to look for the mark, 925 or the word “sterling” somewhere on the piece.
The true heyday of silver was during the 50-year period from 1870 to 1920. Imagine this...there were so many flatware lines introduced during this period, it was not unusual for dinner to include ten or more courses, starting with a soup course and progressing to a salad course, a fruit course, a cheese course, an antipasto course, a fish course, the main course and a pastry or dessert course. Wow! I would have to waddle away from the table, that is, if I could stand up! ;-)
We may not be enjoying 10 course meals these days, but don't let that stop you from adding a bit of beauty and tradition into your decor. Here are some fabulous examples to get you started:
Some quick facts about silver: Sterling silver is actually an alloy of silver. It is comprised of 92.5% (by weight) of silver and 7.5% (by weight) of other metals, usually copper. Fine silver, which is 99.9 pure, is considered too soft to make functional objects for everyday use, thus, the need to include an alloy like copper for added strength. One way to usually verify if an item is actually sterling silver is to look for the mark, 925 or the word “sterling” somewhere on the piece.
The true heyday of silver was during the 50-year period from 1870 to 1920. Imagine this...there were so many flatware lines introduced during this period, it was not unusual for dinner to include ten or more courses, starting with a soup course and progressing to a salad course, a fruit course, a cheese course, an antipasto course, a fish course, the main course and a pastry or dessert course. Wow! I would have to waddle away from the table, that is, if I could stand up! ;-)
We may not be enjoying 10 course meals these days, but don't let that stop you from adding a bit of beauty and tradition into your decor. Here are some fabulous examples to get you started:
This dining room has always been one of my favorite rooms at Houzz. I love the wall color and the chair fabric...but who could miss all the beautiful silver on display throughout the room. Note the stunning centerpiece, gorgeous candelabras on the table, corner table and buffet and a domed server that would make guest feel like royalty at dinner time!
Just imagine the drama and statement a floor standing silver candelabra would make when ablaze with candlelight!
Is your home or dining room a casual space? Silver will work beautifully in your home, too. I love the look and feel of juxtaposing silver with a more informal setting.
I can hardly think of a more perfect centerpiece than that of a silver bowl filled to overflowing with white roses. Gorgeous!
As popular as stainless appliances are in the kitchens of today, I can't help but wonder if it's the "silver" of the 21st century.
Don't just think "dining room" when you think of silver. Bring it into the bedroom and use it in an unexpected way. This much used, well-worn butter dish and butter knife have been employed for a different purpose in this setting.