MARIETTE'S BACK TO BASICS: August 2011

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

{Surprise Your Guests with Champagne on Tray with Romantic Rose Petals...}

For a romantic {Tuesday May 4, dinner with friends}, I presented our silver tray with Italian Prosecco, in French Baccarat champagne flutes, this way.

On page 41 of the beautiful book from Nouveau Tafelen in Stijl (at Table in Style) you will find this romantic tip for surprising your guests in summer time with a glass of champagne, or Prosecco. Arrange the flutes on a sparkling tray that has been covered by rose petals...

This gorgeous book about Decorations; Recipes; Etiquette and Reception is full of practical and romantic ideas.

Some of those ideas I have put into practice a few times and it gives always a nice surprising effect!

We used our solid silver tray that we had custom made in Kotagede, Indonesia.

For another special occasion, actually when Pieter's Goddaughter Myriam was here.

You can read about her {Goddaughter Myriam, whose 2nd child Lotte, is born in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia}.

And what about a romantic toast with the love of your life?

Crystal fluted champagne glasses are French Baccarat Piccadilly and they are available at Replacements Ltd.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

{Our Kitchen Improvements}

It is almost impossible to keep up with posting all that is going on in our garden and in the home... But today I proudly want to share some projects that my dear handyman Pieter accomplished just before summer. It made me so happy and it is a daily joy to work with it. Once the weather will cool down a bit (after Labor Day...) I will enjoy my kitchen even more. For now it often is salad time, or something that doesn't require much 'heat' in the kitchen! How about you?

Our kitchen is white... my favorite color. To the left are our Miele dishwasher; plate & cup warming drawer and oven. All Miele appliance is a lot more eco friendly!

The white hot-water faucet has been replaced and also the white kitchen sinks.

Here you see the new hot-water faucet in chrome.

The Atag kitchen sinks and Atag electric cooktop have been replaced after 20 years of use.

One of our 3 Kichler All in One Xenon Under Cabinet Lights as I've written here in a previous post.

They are very slim and have two settings.

New Italian Ilve stainless steel kitchen sinks installed, all by Pieter himself.

Ilve, from Padova, Italy near where we lived...

The two sinks together and the faucet, which does have a pull out hose and it swivels over both sinks.

Our Amana Energy Star easy reach pull out drawer bottom freezer.

That fridge is super for placing large platters in for special occasions.

Rösle grater hangs with the ladles on rack...

Will show more later...

Here is the newest Miele KM 5656 Electric Cooktop.

Pieter had to cut out the Corian counter in order to put this in.

The previous cooktop was 24" (60 cm) wide and this Ceran one is 30" (76 cm) with as bonus a new drawer underneath. This Miele Ceran Cooktop is so slim...

By the way, the mouse is a pink cat toy; not a real one!

There it is, our Miele KM 5656 Ceran Glass Electric Cooktop with 4 heating elements and 6 cooking zones (2 variable zones).

Oh, how happy I was with this additional drawer that Pieter installed!

This Miele is also a very sleek one. Click→ Miele Built–In Wall Cabinet Hood.

Great halogen lights and easy to clean removable, dishwasher safe metal filters.

Here you see the back element which is either round or large oval.

The same for this one that is in a variable round size.

The bonus for all my Rösle gadgets... a new drawer!

It is a blessing for having such a great husband with golden hands, who's always eager to please others.

Indeed a blissful relationship—ongoing!

Show more about our kitchen later.

{More of Our Kitchen} previous post by me

{Vintage Signed and Numbered 33 Limoges Lampe Berger by Charles Ahrenfeldt}

From France again comes this beauty of a Lampe Berger with an artful Anémones bottle by Charles Ahrenfeldt from 1963-1971.
On page 134 of the book Lampes Berger: A Century of History by Gérald Vilcocq you can read more about the history of Charles Ahrenfeldt.
This is a stunning bottle and in perfect condition as well; complete with ajoured brass crown, snuff cap and burner wick.
That is remarkable for such a lamp, being half a century old! This was available at my on line boutique Mariette's Back to Basics.

Beautiful relief work and to the lower left you also see a signature, near the stems with thorns.
That is very rare!

A detail of the Anémones, See signature at left?
Anemone tomentosa Robustissima is the botanical name of these flowers.

Also called Japanese Anemone, Windflower.

Part of the back side, beautiful detail too.

Triple initials CA with Limoges France and Porcelaine Charles Ahrenfeldt Limoges France.
Also numbered 33.

Made in France on this side of the brass neck...
All complete in brass as the vintage models used to be made.
The new ones nowadays have a very light aluminum crown and are no longer made from heavier brass, bronze or tin.
Even the earliest catalytic is in tact.
Again a signature visible here.

In about two weeks I will list two more of these Charles Ahrenfeldt Lampe Berger but they do NOT have this special signature and are not numbered either...

Made in France

Sorry Sold out...

Lampe Berger

This is page 134 from the book I have for reference.

This is the book I got from publisher NOÈME
I could not scan that part as this hard cover is too large, but it is written under the Lampe Berger at the bottom.

Lampes Berger: A Century of History←link to book.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

{Vintage Christofle Pastry Tong}

For serving your guests some of your home baked sweets, you can use this lovely Christofle Pastry Tong. Very fine, old craftsmanship is being shown here and it is just simple elegant. Again, this was available at my Zen Cart powered on line boutique: Mariette's Back to Basics. Prepare a special tea for your lady friends and create some charm from a bygone era at your own home.

Here are some 'cashew clusters' from Costco, served on Royal Doulton English Rose China with the elegant Christofle Pastry Tong.

Simple Elegance...

The antique enameled porcelain Camille Tharaud Limoges cocoa shaker I did show in a previous post: 1930s Camille Tharaud Limoges Shaker for dusting YOUR Cappuccino's with Cocoa.

Also the Christofle toast /napkin/letter rack I did show: Antique Christofle Toast Rack + New Ideas for You!

As well as the antique Christofle sugar sifter spoon to the right on top of the blue berries. Of course it can serve a dual purpose! Look for it here: {1862 Christofle Sugar Sifter Spoon 'Filet Violon'} .

Christofle mark shown up close.

It is dating from the 1935-1983 era.

Sorry Sold out...

Saturday, August 27, 2011

{4 Antique Christofle Napkin Rings for Tray Service or Mixed Set Use}

Like to show you some more of the lovely antique Art Nouveau Christofle napkin rings that can be used as a mixed set at table or for a special tray service setting. Choice is up to you! Again these are available at my Zen Cart on line boutique: Mariette's Back to Basics. For more ideas look at my previous post Antique French Christofle Napkin Ring for 'Service for One'