{Breakfast in Bed with 1940s English Art Deco Sterling Silver Toast Rack}

Who does not like breakfast in bed? So let's prepare a tray for lingering. Too bad that due to the extreme heat and drought we have no roses for filling a vase! First time ever, that we cannot enjoy cut flowers. But let's look what we can find.

How about this? A filled 1940s English Sheffield Art Deco Sterling Silver Toast Rack (available at my Zen Cart powered on line boutique: Mariette's Back to Basics, a heart waffle with raspberries, butter, boiled egg...

In the Dutch version of Margaret Caselton's book about Stylish Settings (Sfeer aan Tafel) the above picture can be found on page 122.

Too bad I could not reproduce the flowers...

And, I also forgot the marmalade and the orange juice!

Does that happen to you as well?

My own hand crocheted tablecloth and place mat. Not the napkin, that's from Neiman Marcus.

China is French Gien in the Rose pattern. I'm still looking for some parts. Does anyone have some 'stray' pieces?

Ramekins are French Pillivuyt and the napkin ring is from Christofle.

So what is an English toast rack doing on this tray with all French items? Except for my flatware which is Dutch Gero Zilmeta Menuet 528. Here you can also see the heart waffle better.

You like this? Romantic enough for you?

This romantic antique lacquered tray was available at Spectrenoir.

Breakfast in Bed seems to be LOVED...

This is what I forgot... Orange juice in a rose frosted glass.

So would you forgive me for not having it on the tray, first time?

Here is the toast rack all by itself on the lacquered tray.

Do you also use a toast rack at home?

EV for Emile Viner (sounds French to me...) from Sheffield with the hallmark crown, lion and an X for the year 1940.

Yes, I've done my homework; look here.

On eBay they're selling its twin, oh no... it's the 'V' so that is from 1938.

Daniel Bexfield Antiques did sell this one above for £ 135.00. Just click the pink hyperlinks.

Sorry Sold out...

{My French Bistro Baguette Bags}

Summer is perfect for having an al fresco lunch! So why not go for the French Bistro style? Ambiance at table... Some fresh flowers, a bottle of wine and French Baguette in a High End Linen/Cotton bag with Angels. French Country Style and Romance at its very best. Available at Spectrenoir. Great gift idea for bringing baguette and wine for your hostess in such stylish bag!

It also saves the environment by NOT using any plastic bags, but going green instead!

 Pure Joie de vivre...

Gero Zilmeta model 528 Menuet bread knife

High End Baguette Bag is made in France

Thinking Angel...

Dutch book: Sfeer aan Tafel by Margaret Caselton

Ambiance at Table

Second Baguette Bag with Angel and antique lace trim.

Bon appétit and santé to a happy summer!

{6 Antique French Christofle Gallia Knife Rests -- in Art Deco}

From France, I got this original box with 6 'Porte Couteaux' in Art Deco Arabesque pattern by Christofle Gallia.

This rare set of 6 antique French Christofle Gallia knife rests in Art Deco Arabesques, is perfect for saving your precious table linens from getting soiled.
I do have several types of Christofle knife rests. Also the model shown here I do have for 12 or more. THANKS!

Gallia Metal, an improved Silver Plate, was introduced by Christofle at the 1900 Paris Exposition and used extensively on Art Deco ware.

Seldom you will find a set of six perfect knife rests in their original box (I got a second one for completing a service of 12).
Below you see how such a knife rest is being used. It is holding the first course knife (r); the fish knife for a second course (c) and the knife used for the entrée (l).
 Shown with my Gero Zilmeta 528 Menuet on pure linen damask Yves Delorme placemats and napkin and Cream Color on Cream Color by Wedgwood.  ← Just click on the red hyperlink!

Even today, Christofle is still producing knife rests. See here on my Pinterest with link to Christofle—Silver–Plated Set of 2 Knife Rests ←click link.

That means, they are still very much en Vogue.

All the Christofle marks are clearly visible here.

The original brochure!

If you want to learn more about the history of knife rests, check: The History of Knife Rests

They sometimes do auction off for quite a high amount as shown here below at Christie's.

Both values are from the 90s as they also do list still the Dutch Guilder sign 'f' for the top auction. That indicates that it was before 2000. At present there are no listings at Christie's for Christofle Gallia knife rests; but you can surely get them at: Spectrenoir

SORRY SOLD OUT!

{INTRODUCING GUNNAR LLOYD; DAPHNA & RAYMOND'S LOVE-CHILD}

What a surprise to receive today an email with the message that Gunnar Lloyd is born in The Netherlands, with accompanying movie of him (click above pink link). It is such a perfect baby on this futuristic movie and no wonder as he's already born on April 7! Never have seen anything like this, quite a space-age movie; what an art work done by his Daddy Raymond who is after all a software architect. Gunnar of course is a Swedish name, we know that they went to Sweden for a vacation and they must have fallen in love with that country and even more with themselves... then or at a later moment. At least a very special name for such a deep and true love.

Now the rest of the story... a very special one to share with my readers. On June 5 of 2006 we got a phone call from our friend/Judge Helen Harper. She said to me: "Guess what I did this afternoon?" I had no idea... So she told me that she'd married a Dutch couple who were staying at the romantic Page House B & B in town after having been to Savannah. Helen said, oh I realized too late that you were Dutch too. That's alright I said, now they felt at least more at ease without any countrymen around.

Of course I did call, to congratulate them in Dutch and invited them over for next day, to have dessert with us. They were quite surprised for finding two Dutch born Americans here in town! For their wedding day dinner they did go to the best Lady Chef in the region, to Ristorante da Maria. Quite fittingly for the occasion!  Spending the night after dinner at Dublin Farm, Come Home to the Country, so they would not have to do any more traveling to find a romantic place to sleep.

I did bake a very special dessert for them: Phyllo dough shells with Strawberry-Rose-Whipped-Cream... and pastry hearts on the side. Got my Royal Albert Princess Anne china out and quite fittingly; the Bridal Rose by Alvin silverware, all from Replacements Ltd.

Made special flower arrangements from fresh, highly fragrant gardenias in a Cream Color on Cream Color by Wedgwood footed compote white Lathyrus odoratus (fragrant sweet pea) and white gladiolus flowers. 

Alvin Bridal Rose silver spoons

Romantic home baked hearts from Wonton Wraps with Strawberry & Rose Petal whipped cream

 We were ready now to welcome the newly weds  Daphna and Raymond into our home!

We did enjoy it as much as they did. It was very special and for me it was just labor of love to make the dessert with edible, red rose petals from our own garden, with strawberries and whipped cream. So romantic with only a few drops of rose water added. 

Like on the movie where Daphna and Raymond welcome Gunnar Lloyd into the world, so did we welcome Daphna van Zoeren and Raymond Roelands into our home and one can see that things started out very rosy but more important is it did last. 

We wish you lots more years in good health and happiness together as a young family.

If you ever find the time to visit Dublin again, to see Judge Helen who married you and to see the Page House again and our home; more than WELCOME!

P.S. One interesting point that Raymond made that afternoon when we moved out into the gazebo for a bite and a glass of wine. "My Mom has the very same Gero Zilmeta 528 Menuet flatware as you have!"

He must have felt right at home...