Every now and then, a collection comes along that is so exquisite, it’s impossible not to fall in love at first sight. A spring daydream comes alive in Christofle’s newest additions to their fine flatware collection, Jardin d’Eden. A collaboration with Marcel Wanders, one of the world’s most distinguished designers, delicately engraved floral swirls span the entirety of each piece, turning this collection into sumptuous poetry made real.

Dubbed one of Business Week’s “25 Leaders of Change in Europe,” and “the Lady Gaga of Design” by The New York Times, designer Marcel Wanders is renowned for replacing the coldness of industrial design with beauty, romance and fantasy. The Jardin d’Eden (or Garden of Eden) collection is the perfect expression of this vision.

Precision craftsmanship reigns supreme in these finely engraved lines, inspired by the interlaced leaves, flowers and curls of lush garden greenery.

The Jardin d’Eden collection is available in both sterling silver and silverplated settings.

Fine accessories and gifts are also included in this stunning collection.  Notice the apple in the center of the charger (see below):

Let us know if you’re as inspired as we are by Christofle’s incredible creations by sharing your comments below.

To see the entire Jardin d’Eden collection, please click here.

To view our entire selection of Christofle items, please click here.

Let the peaceful colors of the seaside add serenity to your home, and transport you to your favorite beach escape.

To see more throw pillows, click here.

The contrasting hues of bright lime and classic navy add the perfect amount of zest to any room.

To see more throw pillows, click here.

Purchasing fine silverware is an important investment you want to protect, perhaps for generations to come. Since its founding in Normandy, France in 1830, Christofle’s silver creations have been prized for well over a century by serious connoisseurs, gracing the tables of maharajas, presidents, luxurious resorts, and the finest restaurants in the world. With proper care, Christofle silver will stay looking as sublime on your table as it has in royal palaces throughout the ages.

We’ve compiled an easy guide on how to care for your Christofle silver and silverplated items, to keep them pristine and exquisite throughout years of enjoyment.

Cleaning Your Christofle Silver

Wash immediately after every use.

If you are unable to wash immediately, wipe off any remaining food, and rinse in hot water.  This will prevent prolonged contact with acidic substances, which can damage silver.

Hand Washing

Gently remove debris using a soft sponge and soapy water made with gentle liquid dish detergent. Never use a corrosive or abrasive product, and never let your silverware come into contact with bleach. Promptly dry with a soft cloth.

Dishwasher Safe

All Christofle flatware – including sterling silver – can be safely washed in a dishwasher, provided the following rules are observed:

• Use chlorine-free powders or tablets only. Do not use liquid or gel products, which often contain chlorine.
• If you use a water softening product in the dishwasher, avoid washing your silverware during the first cycle. Follow dishwasher instructions concerning the hardness of the water. Water with a high mineral content can be corrosive.
• Knives manufactured before 1968 must be washed by hand only.

Care for Frames

All Christofle picture frames are specially varnished with a protective coating, and do not require any special care.  Do not use Christofle or household cleaning products, which could damage the finish. A soft, dry cloth is all that is needed to remove dust from varnished products.

Tarnish Removal and Polishing

Christofle has created a variety of specially-formulated polishing and storage products to ensure the longevity of your silver. After using each of these products, rinse in clean water and wash as usual.

For daily care of all your silver items, use the Silversmith Anti-Tarnish Polishing Gloves. Infused with Christofle’s signature shine product, these gloves polish silver quickly and effortlessly, while keeping your hands clean. Never wash the Silversmith gloves.

For more detailed anti-tarnish jobs, Christofle recommends using their Cream Cleaner with Sponge, which not only removes tarnish but protects from future oxidation. Follow with the Chamoisine Polishing Cloth for a lustrous shine.

Storage

Proper storage is critical to preventing silver from tarnishing. Christofle’s Anti-Tarnish Cloth Bags are made with a highly effective anti-tarnishing fabric designed to prevent oxidation and maintain shine. These brilliant storage solutions come in a variety of sizes to protect all your precious silver, from a single serving spoon to a large tray.

Have a favorite Christofle piece or collection? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

To see our complete collection of Christofle flatware, holloware, and gifts, please click here.

To view all Christofle silver care and storage solutions, please click here.

A mattress pad is designed to lie on top of a mattress.  It can have an elasticized skirt that is placed over and around a mattress, similar to a bottom fitted sheet. Or it can have anchor bands at the corners that keep it in place.

• Extra cushioning, so you experience the added softness of a pad while still enjoying the support of the mattress.
• An added layer of warmth between the mattress and your body (especially important in colder weather or in air-conditioned rooms).
• Acts as a buffer between the sheets and the mattress, to help protect against stains.
• Protects the mattress, especially the stitching along the seams.

For the ultimate luxury, we love Downright‘s White Goose Down Mattress Pads, which offer both comfort and warmth.

Or, if you are looking for an option without feathers, Sferra‘s Arcadia Hypoallergenic Down Alternative Mattress Pads use Pluma-Fil for that same soft, plush feel.

For more mattress pads, please click here.

At Gracious Style, we love to bring you the newest, most unique handcrafted collections, and we’re excited to introduce these truly divine textiles by John Robshaw.

Painter and Pratt graduate John Robshaw began his art career studying block printing in China, when a quest for the perfect indigo dye took him to India. He fell in love with their strong culture of textile design, and began working with local artisans and their traditional printmaking techniques on designs that incorporate a fresh, modern feel while still retaining the essence of India’s master handcrafting.

John Robshaw’s newest offerings are inspired by his stay in Pondicherry, a South Indian tropical city full of magic and beauty on the Bay of Bengal. Formerly a French colony, the city is also home to Auroville, a famous spiritual center founded by the Hindu teacher Sri Aurobindo.

The bright colors of Pondicherry’s French colonial architecture, the deep azure blue of the ocean, the rich hues of organic indigo dyes, and the vibrant spiritual life of the people of India all combine to create these stunningly beautiful collections of fine textiles.

John Robshaw’s Nikolo Collection echoes the wonderful decorative tradition of kolams – intricate, abstract designs laid out in colorful rice powder by the women of Pondicherry, inviting the goddess of prosperity into their homes. 

Only the finest traditional Indian craftsmanship is used to create these stunning pieces. It takes a day and a half for a skilled artisan in Jaipur to paint each of these pillows.

Bring the romance and serenity of South India into your bath with this hand-screened shower curtain and exotic hand-cut bathmat.

What’s your favorite John Robshaw design? Browse our entire collection here, and let us know!  

We love reading Marisa Marcantonio’s sophisticated design blog Stylebeat, and were thrilled to see Christofle’s Kawali Green Crystal Goblet featured in today’s post! These richly hued glasses embody luxury with their saturated color and geometric design, and add a touch of bright elegance to any cocktail hour, dining table or nightcap.

For more stylish ideas from Marisa’s blog, click here.

And to see more stunning glassware, visit our Christofle Crystal Shop.

Muted by neutral tones, we love adding a touch of color with the beautiful citrus shades of lemongrass.

To see more throw pillows, click here.

Herend’s exclusive Reserve Collection features a limited selection of spectacular, hand-painted porcelain sculptures.  Collected by Herend connoisseurs worldwide, each piece is an extraordinary composition in white porcelain adorned with 24 kt gold accents.  And to make gift giving easy, every Reserve Collection masterpiece is elegantly wrapped in a  Herend presentation gift box – perfect for important clients and special anniversaries.

As guardians against evil spirits, this pair of Foo Dogs reflects multiple layers of history and symbolism. starting with their role as Chinese guardian lions and continuing down to their pattern of stylized chrysanthemum flowers to symbolize longevity.

Bison – America’s largest land mammal has always felt more hulking than handsome – until now. The artists at Herend have beautifully captured his virility and strength and covered it in a mantle of gold accents and dramatic chocolate fishnet.

After experiencing a Venetian Carnival firsthand, Imre Schrammel was inspired to create the Carnival Figurine series.  The Carnival Woman (and its companion, Carnival Man) is in celebration of the renowned Queen Victoria dinnerware pattern.

This proud Peacock is beautifully hand painted and embellished with 24kt gold accents.

A new symphony of fishnet colors in light orange, raspberry, and rust makes a worldwide debut on the stunning Flamingo Duet figurine.

A replica of an antique figurine depicting an elephant carrying goods along the silk road, Silk Road Elephant was reissued from the Herend archives to commemorate the Manufactory’s 180th anniversary.

Enjoy complimentary shipping on every piece from this collection.  To view the entire Herend Reserve collection, click here.  Which one is your favorite?

Chevron is a classic pattern that’s making a huge resurgence. With its dynamic, graphic zigzags, chevron is the perfect design element to give fresh contrast to both traditional or modern home decor.

A chevron rug gives new life to this otherwise understated living room:

We’re obsessed with chevron in the nursery:

A bright chevron rug gives monochromatic rooms the perfect pop of color:

Get the looks above with Dash & Albert’s Chevron Rugs, available in a variety of sizes and colors, and perfect for indoor or outdoor use:

Don’t forget the bath! We’re obsessed with this new Kassatex Chevron Shower Curtain:

Revitalize your bathroom with this Kassatex Linen Chevron Bath Rug:

These Quilted Chevron Pillows by Lacefield Designs will give an eye-catching hint of movement to any sitting area:

Wake up your home decor with a dash of chevron! Please view all of our chevron selections here.