Monthly archives for November, 2013

Antique Inspirations ~ A Thanksgiving Feast

Antique Letter EngravingOur holiday hospitality always centers around the dining table with sharing food and drink. Antique inspirations for our Thanksgiving table settings can help you relish the splendor of this glorious fall season!  Bring nature’s rich harvest to the table by preparing a simple and casual Country-Style buffet, table, or glamorous and enchanting dining room settings. If you are entertaining your family at your home during the holidays, I encourage you to make the feast memorable with just a few helpful hints. You will see in these beautiful photos what a remarkable difference using antique furniture and antique accessories can result with the splendor of dramatic tablescapes!

Antiques and Antique Accessories- Fall

Now is the perfect opportunity to make your guests feel how truly important they are. The creative energy and time you invest in designing memorable displays using antique and vintage items will bring an unforgettable ambiance and foment many precious memories.

Antiques and Antique Accessories- FallAntiques and Antique Accessories- Fall

Create a centerpiece that will impress your guests.  The captivating focal point of your table is a very important element.  Many centerpieces I design this time of the year are inspired by the vibrant fall colors of nature ~ some are intricate and complex; others are compositions that are simple, yet impressive. The abundant color palette of amber mixed with the antique patina and time worn elements of earthenware confit pots, dough bowls and copper pieces, can enhance the rustic appeal of such settings.

Antiques and Antique Accessories- Fall

Antiques and Antique Accessories- Fall

The displays and arrangements shot in our antique stores in Dallas and Baton Rouge that appear below were taken at events such as Inessa Stewart Antique’s Open Houses, and were designed to share our tips, ideas, and antique inspirations during this festive season.

 

From all the staff and family at Inessa Stewart’s Antiques we wish you and yours a most Happy Thanksgiving!

Inessa Stewart Signature

 

 

 

Antique Harvest Flourish

Antique of the Week: Vieux Paris Coffee Service

Antique Letter EngravingIt is the beginning of the holiday season, so naturally we start using our favorite antique china collections on our tables to add a loving, personal touch to these festive settings. Antique china ~ accented with gold and hand-painted with vibrant floral designs such as this amazing Vieux Paris, or perhaps an Old Paris porcelain china service ~ will make a striking centerpiece to any Holiday Coffee or Afternoon Tea celebration!

Antique Vieux Paris Coffee Service

Antique Vieux Paris Coffee ServiceAntique Vieux Paris Coffee ServiceAntique Vieux Paris Coffee Service
What is known as Vieux Paris porcelain has been created by over 30 different artisan factories in Paris and the area surrounding the city, beginning in the 1700’s and continuing through the 1870s. Remarkably, this porcelain usually has no identifiable marks, but the delicate nature of this china and its Parisian quality is unmistakable, and can be recognized by shapes, styles and decoration.  The height of production during the Louis Philippe and Napoleon III Periods saw the creation of decorative pieces that appealed to the elite of France, and that were found in the most lavish and fashionable homes, townhouses and apartments of Paris and throughout the countryside.

Antique Vieux Paris Coffee ServiceAntique Vieux Paris Coffee ServiceAntique Vieux Paris Coffee ServiceAntique Vieux Paris Coffee Service

Hand-painted Vieux Paris porcelain coffee set.
This perfectly-preserved Vieux Paris porcelain coffee set was a real find for us, since we’ve seen so few of late, especially sets in such impeccable condition. With beautifully hand-painted porcelain embellished with an elegant floral design ~ each piece is a work of art. Every single porcelain dish has been meticulously crafted by hand using traditional methods dating back to 18th century Paris. Then, each has been painted with vibrant roses, violets, forget-me- nots and other floral sprays. An opulent gold leaf hand-applied border decoration completes the captivating motif. This coffee service was designed as an fashionable table setting during the period of Napoleon III in the middle of the 19th century.
Paris, circa 1850’s
Measurements:
Coffee Pot 9.5 x 9 x 6.5
Creamer 4 x 5 x 4
Sugar Bowl 5 x 7 x 5
Cups (6) 2.5 x 3.5 x 2.5
Saucers (6)1 x 5
Dessert Plates (6) 1 x 5
Bon Bon Dishes (2) 1 x 8 x 4

Happy Hosting! 

Inessa Stewart Signature

Antiques In Style: The Fashionable Architecture of La Belle Époque

Antique Letter EngravingLa Belle Époque, a fascinating chapter of European history that I love to study, transpired for more than a decade. The richly fashionable era produced remarkable styles and famous works of architecture and interior design.  This celebrated period started in late 19th century France, and the rest of Europe followed suit until about 1914, giving us a bountiful variety of amazing antiques and art. Read more in Beverly Drive Magazine!

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Architectural Antiques

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Architectural Antiques~

Architectural Antiques

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Architectural Antiques

 Inessa Stewart Signature

 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!

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