Can you believe it’s almost February already? Soon it will be Valentine’s Day – here are our top five favorite gifts to give your beloved:
Red is the color of passion, and these candles from L’Objet are beautifully painted in red porcelain. And when the candles have outlived their 35 hours of burn time, your loved one can store trinkets in the jar.
China Love Scented Jar Candle $95
These adorable plates make a great gift for the love in your life!
Amore Plates $48 for four
This heart-shaped tray is designed by Mary Jurek, a former jewelry designer for Tiffany & Co. Beautiful and useful, it will bring a sparkle to the table.
Heart Shaped Serving Tray $102
To remember that special occasion, we love L’Objet’s extraordinary picture frames. Plated with 14 kt gold or platinum and studded with Swarovski crystals, these are worthy of your most precious moments.
Picture Frames from $90
Say it with pillows – “P.S. I Love You” is written in script across these cuddly linen pillows. Designed by Peter Som for Sferra Linens, they coordinate with the Peter Som bedding collection. They also look great on a chair or sofa!
P.S. I Love You Pillow $140
Happy Valentine’s Day! For more great gifts, visit our Gift Shop.
Our popular Sferra French Knot table linens feature tiny white flowers that are intricately hand-embroidered using French knots. A French knot is an embroidery technique in which the yarn is knotted around itself like this:
French Knot Stitch
As each piece is hand embroidered and hemstitched on fine Italian linen, no two are exactly alike. When you buy a French Knot tablecloth, you are truly getting a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted heirloom. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at an artisan embroidering our French Knot linens:
French Knot Embroidery from SFERRA on Vimeo.
Though painstaking, the finished results are extraordinary. In the tablecloths, both the center panel and outside border of our French Knot tablecloths feature bands of the hand-embroidered flowers.
Sferra French Knot Table Linens
The French Knot collection is available in napkins, placemats, runners, and tablecloths. We think they add a touch of old-world elegance to the table. To see more, follow this link.
Did you know there’s a month devoted to tea? It’s fitting that National Hot Tea Month falls in January, because what could be more comforting than a warm cup of tea on a chilly winter day?
For a beautiful collection of tea (and coffee) pots, cups, and accessories, visit our Coffee & Tea Service store. We have everything you need to host an afternoon tea.
Anna Weatherley Yellow Posie Teacup
Anna Weatherley Individual Sugar and Creamer
Mary Jurek Morning Glory Sugar and Creamer
Mary Jurek Melitta Honey Pot
Mary Jurek Lotus Tea Strainer
And to brush up on your teatime etiquette, Socially Savvy has some great tips. Here are a few pointers to get you started:
- Afternoon tea is generally served between 3 – 5 pm.
- Afternoon tea typically includes a variety of teas and three courses: finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries.
- Royal tea includes all the offerings found in afternoon tea, plus a glass of champagne or sherry.
- Light tea is a lighter version of afternoon tea which excludes finger sandwiches.
- On a tiered stand, the bottom tier is reserved for finger sandwiches, the second tier holds the scones, and the third tier is for small pastries and bite-sized sweets.
We love afternoon tea after a long day of shopping and as a great way to catch up with old friends. Around the country, some of our favorite afternoon teas are found inside elegant hotels. In Los Angeles, both the Peninsula Beverly Hills and the Montage Beverly Hills do a beautiful job with afternoon tea.
What is your favorite place to enjoy afternoon tea?
Maybe it’s because we’re dreaming of a tropical getaway (it is the middle of winter, after all) but we’re slightly obsessed with coral themed accessories. In any color, coral is a beautiful way to bring a bit of nature into your home. It also fits in well with a nautical or beach theme … even a dreaming-of-the-beach theme.
Read more »
According to Chinese astrology, 2012 is the Year of the Dragon; this year, Chinese New Year falls on Monday, January 23rd.
Dragons are much admired in Chinese culture; they are symbols of strength and power and thought to bring good luck. Designers love dragons because they visually breathe life and flair to every space. Here are a few dragon-themed pieces to bring good fortune to your home. Aren’t they gorgeous?
Read more »
Used at Alain Ducasse restaurants around the world, Jaune de Chrome dinnerware features a glazing technique that combines rich, deep, metallic glazes with sophisticated colors.
Created and managed by ceramist and painter Christian Le Page and fashion designer Catherine Badaire, Jaune de Chrome is the only brand to master these unique glazing methods. A stunning effect is created when colors develop and crystals group together. Due to the nature of the glazing, each piece will show slight variations in color and pattern, for a truly unique dinnerware collection.
Read more »
Get ready to be happy! Pantone has announced the color of the year for 2012: “Tangerine Tango,” a lively orange hue.
Read more »
If you like the Cristobal collection from Raynaud, you’re going to love this. The coral themed dinnerware and giftware line, designed by Alberto Pinto, now comes in a new color. We already love it in Coral:
Read more »
We have added lots of new items to our SALE! There’s still time to shop for holiday delivery, so come visit us soon!
Read more »
Varga Art Crystal is well known for their superb craftsmanship and distinguished artistry. Their methods have been passed down through four generations, reaching perfection in the design and hand crafting of crystal art. Their crystal stemware is skillfully and creatively crafted, entirely by hand. Found in museums; Varga crystal pieces are collected by royalty and celebrities around the world.
Read more »
