About a year ago, we tore out the bar in our downstairs den. It was the size of a Volkswagen Beetle and looked like it was straight out of Starsky and Hutch.  I had a plan and never imagined that we would still have a blank spot with plumbing pipes exposed. As seems to be my luck lately, the contractor disappeared, and before I could find a new one, my husband has proclaimed it a do-it-yourself project. Now that football season is drawing near, I'm afraid it will be a while before we embark. In the meantime, here are some ideas I'm thinking about.

DRAWERS INSTEAD OF CABINETS

I like the streamlined look of drawers. Plus they come in handy for storing platters and napkins and such. 

designed by Brewer Design Group, Charleston, SC. photograph by Erik Kvalsvik

Atlanta designer Patricia Paulk of Patricia Paulk Interiors had her drawers outfitted with peg board and removable pegs so she can customize them to fit her dishes. Love that idea. photo courtesy of Patricia Paulk

This one designated for knives was designed by architect Mark Maresca.

DISPLAY SPACE

Silver and glass stand out in the same custom piece designed by Mark Maresca.

The red painted shelves add a little drama. photographs by Erik Kvalsvik

JUST THE ESSENTIALS

Maybe a beautifully outfitted amoire is the way to go. The side shelves hold glasses, leaving the back free to hang a painting. photograph by Tria Giovan

PRETTY ACCESSORIES

Silver hunt cups look pretty, even when not filled with mint juleps. 

Southern Cocktails by Denise Gee (Chronicle Books, 2007). This is a fun little book to have on hand and to give as hostess gifts. Along with the great libations, Denise tells some entertaining tales about growing up in Natchez.

photographs by Robert M. Peacock

It's that time of year again, with bridal showers and weddings almost every weekend, and I'm heading to the beach this week for my brother-in-law's wedding. My own anniversary was last week, and I enjoy reminiscing about my own wedding. While it seems a little too hot to have an outdoor wedding here in Birmingham, I came across some lovely outdoor weddings, one in Atlanta and one in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, in past issues.

An old style ice cream truck. Craigyc/Flickr

Spotting the ice cream truck merrily rolling down your street is a sure sign of summer. As a child, the playful tune piping from the white truck was cause for a piggy bank raid. Over the weekend, the ice cream truck stopped on my street and I bought my old favorite–a strawberry shortcake ice cream bar.

This summer, “why don’t you” just fill your icebox with colorful popsicles and ice cream bars and sandwiches to offer guests on a hot day? Serving frozen desserts from your everyday white serving tray will provide cool relief, a welcome departure from the traditional glass of lemonade, and a little bit of nostalgia. It’s certainly my idea of casual summer entertaining.

What chilly treats are you offering guests this summer and what will you order when the ice cream man stops in front of your house?

Last week I shared some staff picks for our favorite china. Read more here. I had such fun with the post, I'm adding more this week.

Senior Editor, Alice Welsh Doyle chose the exotic Wedgwood Persia and still adores it.

"At the time I got married – 1998 – I was really into all things Asian," says Alice. "This pattern reflects that, but it is not too extreme in that regard. I have since retired some weddings gifts and early marriage purchases that reflect that passion. So I would caution brides not to buy into something 'themed' that they may lose interest in. The serving pieces and extras were pricey, so I did not receive many of those when I married. My husband and mother-in-law gave me additional pieces as anniversary and birthday gifts–something I would also recommend. Unless it is a super popular pattern, they do get discontinued. I’m so happy I have all the 'extras' even if I don’t use them that often."

Wedgwood Persia salad  plate from Replacements Ltd.

"The wonderful aspect of this pattern is that the coffee/tea saucer is a variation on the color scheme, but is also distinct – like coordinating fabrics – also in addition to that variation, there was an option for the accent salad plate, which really dresses the table. I don’t know if these distinctive patterns within a collection are common, but I would suggest looking at that when choosing china because it allows more variety – especially when I was starting out, I was less willing to experiment with combining patterns and colors on my own."

Wedgwood Persia cup and saucer

Copy Editor Amber Henderson went with Wedgwood Madrid for her formal china.

"I love it because it’s simple enough that if I ever tire of it, I can easily mix it with other pieces," says Amber. "I currently use it with silver chargers and Solitaire Platinum crystal drinkware by Lenox. The platinum band on the crystal glasses complements the platinum band of my china. My Vintage Jewel flatware by Lenox completes the look."

Editor in Chief, Karen Carroll chose Wedgwood's Strawberry & Vine for her everyday china and reports that this pattern and Nantucket Basket were popular when she registered 17 years ago.

Stawberry & Vine


Nantucket Basket

Wedding season is upon us, and I thought it would be fun to ask the staff what they registered for and if they would choose it again or go for something else if given the chance. What I discovered is that we are wild about Wedgwood. Look for a Feature on Tricia Foley's new book At Home With Wedgwood: The Art of the Table in our July-August issue. 

My everyday pattern is Countryware by Wedgwood. I would absolutely pick it again. It has been discontinued, but if I want a special piece, I can go to Replacements Ltd.  Who knew you could get a toast holder in my pattern? When I'm having a lot of people over, I supplement with  inexpensive plain white plates I picked up at Pier 1.

Stacey Hill, our office manager, inherited a set of Wedgwood Chinese Tigers in Red. "It is from my mother who died over 20 years ago, so it is special to me," says Stacey.

If you're in the Birmingham area Thursday evening, please drop by Mary Evelyn McKee's fabulous shop to meet Bunny Williams and preview her beautiful new furniture collection, BeeLine Home.  And if you can't make it, photos to come later this week!

Last week I had the good fortune to find myself at a flea market. Rather than wander aimlessly, I set about hunting high and low for blue-and-white ginger jars, inspired by some of the lovely photos posted on one of my favorite design blogs, Anna Spiro's Absolutely Beautiful Things.

Anna, an Australian, loves fresh flowers even more than I, and her appreciation for blue-and-white wares reminded me of a story from our archives— a tablesetting story featuring contributing editor Peggy Sewell's amazing collection:

 
Southern Accents
January-February 2006
photographed by Ka Yeung

Shown above is a genuine treasure: the famed Hatcher trove of porcelain that was recovered from a shipwreck after eons under the sea.

Obviously, my flea market finds were not anywhere near as fine as the china shown here. But the three ginger jars I turned up couldn't be more cheerful. My garden's peonies and hydrangeas may be just contemplating a return, but I'll be ready once they're here.

Here's another photo of Peggy's amazing wares:

 

In the story, writer Rebecca Hawkins quotes Peggy as saying: "When I'm traveling, I always look for something unusual, like a tulipiere or an interesting teapot."

Now that I think about it, I was slightly further afield that day as well. Could it be that blue-and-white china, like travel itself, takes us out of the mundane and serves as a reminder of the great wealth of diversity in the wide, wide world? Is that why these patterns charm so many of us—young and old, modern and traditional? I'm not quite sure, but mine will always remind me of a sunny day in an old town, hunting and gathering for the fun of it, and inspired by an Australian designer with a penchant for flowers and beautiful things.

More people are entertaining at home now, and with spring around the corner, what better time to host a party for women only? Recently, I pulled out my fine china and crystal for a night of wine, cheese, and conversation with my closest friends and family. With an elegant table setting and creative decorations, you can create the feel of a winery in your own home.

photographed by Quentin Bacon for our March/April 2008 issue

We had a great time and discovered some divine cheeses along the way. Here are some of our favorites:

Port Salut (my favorite; goes well with Champagne)

Image from www.pdphoto.org

Gourmandise with walnuts

Image from www.recipetips.com

We then topped the night off with coffee and, what else, cheesecake! 5 Star Foodie recently paired a chocolate cheese with an ice wine. While I’ve never had either, I will definitely try that pairing next! What are your favorite wine and cheese pairings?