Herend‘s beautiful dinnerware and precious figurines have been inspiration for tables, displays and gifts for centuries. For South Carolina couple Mary Mungo and Ross Dubisky, their love of the Queen Victoria Dinnerware resulted in this spectacular wedding cake:

Adorned in delicate flowers and darling birds and butterflies, this cake is a work of art!  Our warm congratulations and special thanks to the newlyweds for sharing this with us. Take a look at some of the pieces that spurred their imagination:

For more stunning collections, visit our Herend Shop!

Inspired by a vintage cup designed in the Raynaud archives, Mariela Schwarz Montiel’s Tresor collection is a modern line with a fluid and feminine spirit. Plates are flat and rimless, while shaped pieces like tea pots and tureens are sleek and generously sized.  Mariela, a French-based footwear and accessories designer, chose colors that reminded her of her travels to India.

With three different patterns, each in four colors (Tresor Beige, Tresor Brown, Tresor Orange and Tresor Turquoise,), the possibilities for mixing and matching are endless.

Chic, n’est-ce pas?

When it comes to weddings, Occasions Magazine is a great resource. From balancing your budget to coordinating your color scheme, you will find all the tools and tips you need for smooth sailing to your big day. So when they asked to feature our Christofle Kawali Blue Champagne Flutes and Anna Weatherley Celery Green Chargers for their Summer 2014 color guides, we were thrilled to take part!

Featuring two daring yet sophisticated color stories, Occasions showcases these two extraordinary items in their Cobalt and Celery spreads, showing the versatility of these must-have summer hues.

“Used throughout the centuries in ceramics and jewelry, this deep, electric blue exudes a royal flair beyond the reach of other colors, putting it in a class all its own”

“Possessing the vibrance of yellow but with a splash of chic, this zesty shade of green screams fresh, funky and modern, making it the must-have color of the season”

 

Looking for more great ways to use cobalt and celery? Here are some of our favorites:

Summer is on the horizon, and we’re captivated by the citrus palettes making a splash on the design scene! From tangerine to grapefruit, pops of punchy colors are perfect for adding a tangy twist to traditional interiors. Combine two or more extroverted hues, like lemon with lime, for a juicy, ‘Happy Chic’ look, a la Jonathan Adler or Trina Turk.

Here are some of our favorite picks this season:

For al fresco dining, nothing beats the chic but practical acrylic drinkware from Mario Luca Giusti.  We love how artistic the Palla Fluo pitchers look en masse …

… and how easily they can brighten anything up – even an ancient Italian cobblestone courtyard!

Sprinkle your interiors with these citrus accents for a bright, modern, and peppy aesthetic.

We’re in a happy mood just looking at this trend!

While it is clear that Herend‘s Queen Victoria Dinnerware pays homage to this famous monarch, it was actually her husband Albert who first introduced her to this once-small Hungarian company.

In Herend‘s Fall 2012 Insider, they recount this historical time…

Albert was born as a prince in Germany. But because his family was neither wealthy nor powerful, he was looked down upon as an interloper in British society. Yet the harsh public assessment didn’t curtail his devotion to helping his wife serve as monarch and advising her on political and diplomatic affairs. Prince Albert became viewed as a progressive voice at a crucial time, and he earned respect for his intellect and interest in helping society improve.

Thanks to his penchant for technology and his astute sensibilities on moving Britain forward, he was the pivotal force behind a venue that happened to propel a little-known Hungarian product line named Herend to the fore.  That venue was the first World’s Fair.

As history goes, it was at this Great Exhibition that Prince Albert’s wife discovered a porcelain pattern she adored and wanted for her own. Queen Victoria’s large purchase of the set led Herend to name the pattern after her. Thus began Herend’s foray into the high ranks of the aristocracy, setting the stage for more of the same worldwide.

Later, at the Paris Exposition of 1867 – recognized as the third World’s Fair – Herend’s Indian Flower Basket pattern was selected for the table settings at an exclusive reception in the Elysee Palace to honor Emperor Franz Joseph. An invited guest, Hungarian Count Albert Apponyi was struck by the pattern and imagined it with the dominant peony motif enlarged and basket removed to create a simpler yet equally elegant design.

His order of a custom set per his vision resulted in a design that Herend named Apponyi in the Count’s honor. Known in the U.S. as Chinese Bouquet, the pattern remains one of Herend’s most successful collections year after year. Many iterations of the pattern have been successfully introduced since then, the most recent being Chinese Bouquet Garland (introduced in 2013).

While Prince Albert’s contributions to Britain and the world are numerous and well documented, his provision of a key forum for Herend to shine isn’t mentioned among them. As far as Herend is concerned, though, it is high time for a hats off to “the great man behind the great woman”.

For more beautiful dinnerware patterns, visit our Herend Dinnerware Shop.

Mariposa began 1984, when founder Livia Cowan found herself driving through Mexico with her sister in this camper.

There, they delighted in visiting different artists and learning about their craft.  In particular, they loved how local artisans recycled materials to create beautiful new products.

At the end of the trip, Livia returned to her home in Massachusetts with her camper full of recycled glassware and set up shop in her parents’ garage.

In the thirty years since then, Mariposa (Spanish for “butterfly”) has become a world of stunning pieces for gifting and entertaining.  And, just as they were in the early days, the majority of their products are still handcrafted from 100% recycled aluminum and glass soft drink bottles.

It’s a collection that’s right for today and tomorrow.

Here are a few of our favorites: String of Pearls (designed by sculptor Michael Updike, who incidentally is author John Updike’s son) …

… their engraved trays (perfect for weddings and anniversaries) …

… Bellini drinkware (for when you need something nice, but not too precious) …

… anything nautical …

… and their adorable Bunny Porringer set!

 

To view our full Mariposa collection, click here.

Summer.  La dolce vita.  A party by the pool.  Sailing on the water.  Or just a nice lawn barbecue.  Naturally, friends and family will come in droves.  So how do you entertain them in style, without setting up for the high holidays?  Here are our little secrets (shhh….)

– Acrylic stemware from Mario Luca Giusti: From his studio in Florence, Mario has re-created classic Italian stemware in acrylic and polycarbonate. The result?  As cool as a Vespa on the cobblestoned streets of Florence. No wonder it’s become a darling of the European yachting crowd — look for it on Roberto Cavalli’s yacht or in the hands Albert II of Monaco, Valentino, the Missonis, the Ferragamos, and Steven Spielberg.

– Melamine dinnerware from Q Squared NYC Dinnerware: They’re chic, they’re classic, and they’re dishwasher safe! These pieces, created by Nancy (former Glamour editor) and Alaina (color aficionado with an art history background), recreate the ornate designs of antique porcelain on heavyweight melamine, and they’re made to be mixed and matched.

 

– Easy-care tablecloths fromGarnier Thiebaut and Le Jacquard Francais: Many of our classic French table linens, favorites of everyone from the George V in Paris to the French Laundry, now come coated with an invisible treatment to protect your linens from liquids and stains, while keeping them soft and supple.

Now there’s no reason not to entertain this summer.  Let us know how it went — tweet a picture of your party to @GraciousStyle!  Need more ideas?  Click here to see our Outdoor Entertaining section.

For nearly two hundred years, Garnier-Thiebaut has been creating exquisite linens for the home. But it is Green Sweet, their recent innovation in fabric technology, that is most exciting to the busy, modern family.

What is Green Sweet?

Green Sweet is a revolutionary treatment which makes linens stain resistant.

Does Green Sweet affect the way my linens feel?

No.  Green Sweet does not affect the look and feel of linens, so textiles stay equally soft and breathable.

What happens when liquids spill on my Green Sweet linens?

Liquids will puddle on the surface, so you can simply wipe them off.

How is Green Sweet applied to fabrics?

Each fiber is coated in the stain-resistant treatment before it is woven into fabric to ensure the entire cloth is fully saturated.

Can I wash my Green Sweet linens?

Absolutely!  They can be washed the same way as regular linens, but you won’t need to launder them as often since they will remain clean for longer.

Can I iron my Green Sweet linens?

Yes.  The heat of the iron reactivates the Green Sweet treatment, so it is good for Green Sweet linens to be ironed.

Can you show me what happens when there are spills? 

Take a look at how these linens react to jam, fruit juice, water, and even red wine!

Want to see more? Click on the video below for a demonstration:

 

Why is it called Green Sweet?

Green refers to the non-stick and self-cleaning process of certain plants. Sweet stands for Simple to clean, Waterproof, Economic maintenance, Environmentally friendly, and Textile touch.

Now, it’s time to try one for yourself! Here are a few of our favorites:

 

Have you tried Garnier-Thiebaut‘s incredible Green Sweet linens yet?

 

 

 

 

 

 

If there’s one thing Rachel Zoe knows, it’s style. The designer, author, and distinguished fashion icon is recognized for her glamorous aesthetic and high-profile clientele. When she’s not busy running the Zoe empire, the self-described perfectionist enjoys hosting dinner parties at her chic California abode. In an interview with Domaine Home, Zoe shares which entertaining essentials make an at-home meal feel like an A-list affair.

At the top of her list? The Vertigo collection from luxury silverware company Christofle. Like Chanel and Christian Dior, Christofle is a symbol of elegance and prestige.  And Vertigo, designed by renowned French interior and product designer Andree Putman, is Rachel’s favorite.  Its unique element – a slightly twisted ring –  brings life and even a sense of humor to the otherwise immaculate silver objets. For her picture-perfect party, she relies on exquisite pieces like the Christofle Vertigo Three-Part Serving Tray for flawless food presentation.

Made of glass with silver-plated handles, the Vertigo rectangular tray is sectioned into three parts, so guests can sample a variety of hors d’oeuvres. Just as jewelry completes an outfit, Zoe knows that beautiful dinnerware puts the finishing touches on a well-dressed dining table. She advises, “Take the time to fill glass pitchers with sparkling and flat water, put condiments in charming crystal jars, and place food that comes to the table on chic serving trays.” Follow Zoe’s lead, and your friends will be itching for invites to your next soiree.

To see the complete collection of Christofle at Gracious Style, please click here.

Ever wonder what it would be like to host a party for Oscar de la Renta, Rachel Roy, Emily Giffin, Miles Redd, or Gil Schafer?  You don’t have to any longer, thanks to the book Soiree: Entertaining with Style by Danielle Rollins:

In this book, the first by the Atlanta hostess, philanthropist, and writer, you’ll find intimate gatherings like this one in Miles’s bathroom in Manhattan …

… to grand garden parties like this one in the backyard of her fabulous mansion Boxwood:

As we have worked with Ms. Rollins in the past, we were thrilled to find ourselves listed as one of her dinnerware sources.  Here’s a sneak preview of the fabulous settings featured in the book:

Do you love her style?  Then head over to Danielle’s site.  We also really enjoyed her interview with Ronda Carman in All the Best.

Ronda: “Who would you most like to meet and how would you spend the day?”

Danielle: “Can I squeeze more than one into a day??  In my ultimate dream day, I’d meet with Miles Redd in the morning to work on the finishing touches of a Gil Schaefer designed home.  Next, I’d head to a fitting of the perfect dress with Oscar de la Renta in his showroom. Then, I’d spend the afternoon in the garden alongside Bunny Mellon (if she were still alive today), cook dinner with Thomas Keller, and for a finale finish, co-host a party with the fabulous Carolyn Roehm.”

Is that fabulous, or what?

Thank you, Ms. Rollins, for including Gracious Style in your beautiful book!