Emphasizing floral shapes and patterns, flower magazine loves to introduce new ways to bring flowers to life.  Their Fall 2013 issue, which features interior designers Thomas Jayne and Prince of Chintz Mario Buatta, is full of beautiful and sophisticated interiors.

For a fall table, they’ve picked Moser’s Lady Hamilton Gilded Hock Set, which adds a beautiful silhouette and a burst of color to your tabletop.

Pair these hocks with the pieces below, and you’ll instantly transform your dining room.

Thanks a bunch, flower!  We always look forward to getting every new issue that arrives in our mailbox.  To read more about flower magazine, click here.

Since its founding in 1830, Christofle has always been one of the most prestigious names in French silver.  Known for the quality of their silver flatware, picture frames, and hollowware, Christofle pieces are coveted by collectors worldwide, including Emperor Bonaparte, the royal households of the Ottoman Empire, and the Tsar of Russia.  Today, Christofle is synonymous with silver throughout France, and its collections are regularly seen at Christie’s and Sotheby’s auctions (as well as our own table!).

Whether sterling, silverplated, or stainless, each item is individually hand made and finished.

Liquid metal is poured into molds at up to 40,000 degrees Fahrenheit to cast each piece. After the metal is cooled, artisans must shape the items with various mallets and hammers, ensuring that the thickness of the item is consistent throughout.

Items are then soldered, or smoothed, to guarantee the flawless, seamless finish and mirror-like polish, characteristic of Christofle. Every piece of Christofle silver is crafted by one hundred hands, using time, care and great expertise to complete the long, detailed process.

Jardin d’Eden is the latest Christofle flatware collection, designed by Marcel Wanders. The pattern is poetry made real, with decoration that spans the entirety of the flatware in a single engraving. The interlaced leaves, flowers and curls are inspired by a lush garden, a fine tracery dancing over each piece.

Malmaison, one of Christofle’s most historic patterns, is in the Empire style. The frieze of delicate palm and lotus leaves is typical of this style, and was inspired by the summer home of Napoleon’s wife, where she dined using pieces from this very Christofle collection.

Through collaboration with renowned designer Andrée Putman, Christofle’s Vertigo Collection remains classic, yet takes on modern shapes and designs. The sensual and subtle asymmetrical ring can be seen in every Vertigo piece, such as the contemporary but elegant Three-Ring Candlestick.

Using balance and geometry, the design of the BY Collection is pure and original. The BY Wine Decanter is a marvelous complement to any table.

Whether gracing the tables of emperors, princes, or maharajas, on the Orient Express or transatlantic ocean liners, or on your own table, Christofle is a classic that will continue to delight for years to come.

Visit us to see all of our Christofle products.

Have you ever taken an old recipe and added a new, unexpected spice?  Like a pinch of salt on chocolate chip cookies, Medard de Noblat is all about combining the old with the new to create elegant pieces that are both chic and whimsical.

Founded in 1836, this French dinnerware manufacturer takes the art of handcrafted Limoges porcelain and pushes it to new heights, adding unique touches to each collection.  Whether through special shapes or varied patterns, each piece is a revelation.

In classic blue and white, Echappee Belle layers a smattering of designs together to create pieces that stand alone beautifully, but combine in an unexpected harmony.

“Ikebana”, the Japanese art of flower arranging, is the inspiration for the bright, organic pattern of the Ikebana Dinnerware Collection.

Creative and whimsical, Amour En Cage has delicate flowers playing hide-and-seek behind golden branches, softening the bold geometric shape.

Inspired by the texture of round coral, Corail combines age-old French techniques with a modern design, to create “an immaculate table where fashion and tradition co-inhabit with ease.”

Unique in both shape and pattern, Fidji brings the tropical foliage of the exotic Islands of Fiji to your home.

Fun yet sophisticated, the Une Vie De Chien Gift Set depicts four very stylish dogs, and is sure to delight.

Jars Ceramistes has created the perfect mix of beauty and function: rustic dinnerware pieces that are made entirely by hand, coated with beautiful glazes, and fired at such high temperatures they become durable enough to be used everyday.

Founded in 1857 by Pierre Jars, the Jars factory (located in southern France near Provence) employs no more than 90 workers, so it remains a small and personal  community of craftsmen.

The complex process of creating each item involves the hands of at least 17 ceramists, as well as countless hours of sculpting, glazing and firing.

Heating these stoneware items to temperatures as high as 2340 degrees Fahrenheit causes the the glaze to fuse with the clay, resulting in incredibly durable, scratch-resistant and chip-resistant products.

Inspired by the beauty of Provence, the depth of details and colors in Jars pieces set them apart from other everyday dinnerware.

Empreinte features a series of reliefs patterns on a pure white ceramic base:

With its almost-there glazes, Vuelta Ocean Blue is a trip to the sea.

Like all those small treasures we gather on morning walks along the beach, Plume is reminiscent of shells, feathers, rocks and fossils:

Tourron is retro, yet modern:

And although no two pieces are identical, they all work well together.  No matter how you choose to pair them, these versatile items can be mixed and matched to your heart’s content.

To see the entire collection of Jars pieces, click here.

Have you ever wondered why so much traditional porcelain dinnerware is made in blue and white? Mottahedeh has truly mastered this timeless look. The rich, saturated blue seen in this dinnerware is produced by using cobalt, a naturally occurring element.

Discovered in Persia, cobalt was first used by the Chinese before 1200 AD, and is seen in many old porcelains because it was one of the first colors to be fired successfully by ceramicists.

Despite its success as a popular color for dinnerware, cobalt remains a difficult color to use. It must be fired at extremely high temperatures, and achieves different hues depending on the temperature of the kiln. At a low firing, the color appears crisp and dark.  At a much high firing, it has a pale grey look. Mottahedeh’s cobalt is in between these two firings, producing a brilliant blue with violet tones.

Derived from Chinese design, Blue Canton classifies the style of porcelain that was shipped from Asia to England, and then to the homes of the colonial elite in North America.

A symbol of strength and fortune in Chinese culture, the Blue Dragon in this collection captures the movement and versatility of this dynamic and mysterious creature.

Inspired by the 17th Century Ch’ing Dynasty porcelain, the Blue Lace Collection has stunning bands of 22K gold that beautifully complement all of Mottahedeh’s blue and white pieces.

 A prized design since the Ming Dynasty, the Imperial Blue style is based on elaborate Chinese exports to Europe in the early 1700s.

With the delicate perfection of hand-brushed gold dust, the Chinoise Blue Collection stands out because of its sophisticated matte gold finish. Today the word, “Chinoiserie” refers to the decorative style used by Europeans to mimic the look of the original Chinese designs.

No two pieces of these Mottahedeh collections are alike, making each item completely unique. As these styles have been produced for hundreds of years by hand painters, the variation causes them to be perfect complements to any high-fire blue and white porcelain patterns. Mixing and matching these pieces brings them to life in an original way every time you set your table.

There are so many ways to display the beauty of these pieces, whether at your table or on your wall.

When these collections are combined with a touch of imagination, the possibilities become endless.

 As Mildred Mottahedeh would quote an old Chinese saying, “The height of good taste is the simple appreciation of blue and white.”

For more inspiration, come see our blue and white Pinterest board.

In the spirit of all things floral, Flower Magazine loves fresh ways to brighten up your table scape. Inspired by the vibrant hues of Le Jacquard Francais, they have highlighted our Provence Tablecloth in Lemon Green in their Summer 2013 issue as the perfect way to add a splash of color to daily dining.

To get this lively look in your own home, here are a few of our bright ideas:

Wedding season is a busy time filled with excitement and anticipation, and bridesmaid gifts are great keepsakes to remind your closest girlfriends how much you appreciate them.

Designed by French designer Andree Putman, Christofle’s elegant silverplated Vertigo tray is perfect for jewelry, keys, and cards.

In bronze-finished alloy, this architectural vase from Nambe adds a contemporary twist to any room.

With stunning wedge cuts and leaf patterns, Waterford’s crystal picture frames bring a radiant glow to the memories you display inside.

In vibrant hues inspired by Turkish Rugs, this Fresco Towels tote bag is a great gift that can be used over and over again.

Exuding light and warmth, NEST’s Beach Scented Candle has a fresh, tropical fragrance that makes any room feel like an exotic getaway.

In rich blues and greens, Pine Cone Hill’s whimsical wool scarf will remind bridesmaids of your friendship every time they wear it.

With nature and color as Daum’s inspiration, the classic elegance of this Arum perfume bottle adds beauty and refinement to any woman’s home.

Wedding season is a busy time filled with excitement and anticipation. At a time when family and friends all come together to celebrate, groomsmen gifts are great keepsakes that will always remind your best friends how much you appreciate them.

Not just an ordinary timepiece, the sinuous shape of this Nambe Flame Clock gives a modern touch to a desktop or bedside.

A work of art for the desk, this Gecko Magnifying Glass is an exquisite detail for the office or the home.

A small but special gift, these Natural Bone-on-Wood Dice add whimsy to any game night.

For both practical and decorative purposes, this Cheese Board and Knife Set is perfect for the budding gourmet.

Made with a naturally shed stag antler, this unique English Beer Mug is a conversation starter to use time and time again.

The sophisticated Moser Bar Shot Glasses will make every bar sparkle.

Inspired by the shape of a Champagne bubble, Christofle’s Bottle Opener combines simplicity and masculinity into an elegant design.

And who wouldn’t appreciate Graphic Image’s American Bar, filled with over 500 drink recipes?

For more groomsmen gift ideas, visit Gracious Style.

Set in New York at the height of the 1920s, “The Great Gatsby” embodies the height of sophisticated living. Combining economic prosperity with the popularity of Art Deco and the uproar against prohibition, the home became a center for exhibiting wealth and taste, as well as entertaining. As a member of the elite, Jay Gatsby hosts the most extravagant parties to display the finest in modern luxury.

Here’s how to get the look at home:

These bold and intricate table linens from Le Jacquard Francais showcase the rich color and lavish decoration characteristic of the Roaring ’20s.

Combining geometric designs with exquisite bead work, Kim Seybert’s table runner livens a dining room with both its elegant color and silhouette.

Inspired by the artisans of Venice, the stunning gold designs on this L’Objet Pour Fortuny dinnerware are as ornate as the textiles of designer Mariano Fortuny.

The vibrant Topaz hue and complex glass cut of Moser’s Cubism Double Old Fashioned Glasses bring the flair of Art Deco to any bar.

Epitomizing luxury, Christofle’s water pitcher has an intricate pattern of inlaid gold that brings elegance and glamour to your table.

In a glistening metallic pattern, Waylande Gregory’s mosaic bath accessories add sophistication and charm to your bathroom.

With beautiful embroidered detail, Anali Needlework’s soft, luxurious Italian sateen bedding is the perfect indulgence in both comfort and style.

As one of the most gracious towns in the south, Charleston is a dream come true for the antiques aficionado and the design-savvy shopper.   From the elegant town houses on the Battery to the grandeur of the outlying plantations, inspiration can be found everywhere.

Luckily for us, the design team at oomph has created a new collection inspired by this extraordinary city, and every piece can be custom finished in sixteen different lacquered colors!

The Charleston Side Table combines traditional Chippendale elements with a modern pop of color.

It makes a perfect companion for the Charleston Coffee Table.

Beautifully detailed, the Charleston Mirror is a traditional Chippendale mirror with a chic twist of oomph.  Use alone or in pairs.

To see the entire oomph collection, click here.