Monthly archives for February, 2012

Antique Bread Boards ~ Giveaway of the Month!

Antique LetterClassic culinary antiques possess a certain character and charm that I truly love.  Maybe it’s because of all the time I spent in the kitchen with my dear grandmother and my mother, happily whiling away the hours while cooking and talking.  Hand crafted wooden culinary antiques where part of our daily life so many years ago in Europe. The material to create them was readily available, and we could buy them at the food market in the city.  Country craftsmen would bring wooden bowls, spoons and cutting boards from the villages along with the produce harvested every week.  I remember it fondly as if it was yesterday ~ my grandmother drying her wooden cutting boards and stacking them at the end of kitchen table.  Now after almost four decades I cherish these old memories which are revived by the patina in the grain of these old, much-used objects.

Antique Bread Boards

Antique culinary bread boards

On my European buying trips I go to extra lengths to scour the countryside to find a great selection of culinary antiques for our stores.  My trips to country flea markets require early morning arrivals, some times before dawn.  We have gathered a wonderful collection of 19th and 20th century cutting boards in various shapes and sizes that are quite functional and beautiful in the kitchen and entertaining areas of the home.  These can also be a stylish addition to your décor hanging on the wall, or just setting on the counter (as my grandmother use to store them).  Below are some creative ideas on how to use and display antique breadboards to add patina and texture to a modern kitchen.

Antique Bread Boards

This European Tuscan style kitchen utilizes the great earthy texture of culinary antiques. Photo credit to Kevin Harris - Architect

Antique Bread Boards

Antique bread boards are readily available for cooking and entertaining while doubling as a rustic centerpiece. Photo credit to Elle Decor

One of our Antique Breadboards is also our exiting give away this month.  We look forward to sharing this charming object of European kitchens with one of our lucky winners.

Antique Culinary Bread Board

Let us know ~ how would you use an antique breadboard in your home or kitchen?

Giveaway Instructions:

To enter you must be a follower of this blog.   First enter your email address in the subscription box (pictured below) on the right hand side of our blog.  Then simply comment on this blog post and let as know how you would use an antique bread board to decorate your home.

Inessa Stewart's Antiques

You can also visit our Facebook page and “ like us” for an additional entry.  The contest ends a week from today.

Good luck and thanks for entering!

Inessa Stewart's Antiques

Antique Design

Valentines Day in Creole Country

Antique Letter EngravingValentine’s Day is a time to show our love and affection.  After showering me with cards and roses (I am a lucky girl), John made a reservation at a lovely restaurant in Baton Rouge ~ La Creole.  The atmosphere in the restaurant was charming ~ a pianist playing romantic tunes on a baby grand, with white coated waiters buzzing about the tables serving gourmet French Creole delicacies and pouring libations of all kinds!

Executive chef Ryan Andre (formally from the famous Commander’s Palace restaurant in New Orleans) created a special Creole Valentine’s menu for our pleasure, and everyone gladly savored his amazing offerings.  The scallops topped with tasso were melt-in-your-mouth delicious, the turtle soup was to die for (truly the best we’ve ever tasted), served with homemade biscuits.  I had sea bass and John had the grouper, both topped with Louisiana lump crabmeat.  For dessert we shared their house-made turtle cheesecake.  Yum!  I have made many cheesecakes in my life and this one deserves a special mention (I wish the chef would give me the recipe!).  The food was fantastic and the service was impeccable!

Inessa Stewart's Antiques Valentine's Day

Our young and charming waiter, Jarek, made our dining experience memorable and fun, mixing professionalism with charm and a dose of humor ~ he even laughed at John’s jokes…

If you would like to visit La Creole or find out more, click here for the link to their website.  For those not familiar with creole cuisine and culture click here for a link to the history of French Creole Louisiana.

 

In Louisiana we truly have a passion for food and we enjoy food that inspires passion!

Inessa Stewart's Antiques

Antique Engraving

Antique Inspirations ~ Enchanted Valentine!

Antique Letter EngravingAs Valentine’s Day is just around the corner ~ romance is in the air!  Usually John and I do not make a huge event of Valentine’s Day as our anniversary is February 1, just a nice romantic dinner for two, flowers and cards.  In the past we occasionally combined a buying trip overseas with some sort of romantic celebration.  This year we are home since our schedules are so loaded with work, yet I am still looking for inspiring antique images as we unpack our most recent antique shipment from France.  For our anniversary John gave me BIG floral arrangement, so being practical as always, I had to take it apart and make three different floral designs, one of which you see below in the lovely small romantic bouquet paired with an antique French Louis XVI mantel clock.

Antique Clock and Accessories Collage

The Valentine’s theme came to my mind since the romance of this season is upon us and new shipment delivered some French enchanted style to our Valentine-inspired images.

Antique Clock and Accessories

The vivid reds of the roses combine with the rich burnished bronze of the antique clocks to instill romance with this charming composition.

Antique Reproduction Painting Valentine's Day

Wishing you all the blessings of love and romantic inspirations!

Inessa Stewart's Antiques and Interiors

Antique Engraving

 Inessa Stewart

Antiques in Style is a source of joy for me to create, and hopefully will be a source of inspiration for you! The variety, artistry and history of the antiques and vintage pieces that surround us every day provide pleasure, beauty and sometimes even intrigue.

The classics never go out of style, and each era, country, and even artisan's interpretations create an environment that is always full of surprises.

It is truly a pleasure to bring such timeless style together for every client and follower of my blog. And of course, your input is always welcome!

Archived Posts