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 hustle and bustle of today’s busy world, it is important to remember to save a little time for some good, old-fashioned fun. Hosting and entertaining can be so much more than just a drink or a cup of coffee, and with these new spins on classic activities, your guests will be dying for their next invitation. Let the games begin!

In the spirit of classic games, oomph puts a new twist on Backgammon Tables with their bright colors and glossy lacquer finish.

Made from bone on wood, Barbara Cosgrove‘s dominoes reverse the traditional colors for a fresh look and feel.

Packed with the best adventures all around the world, Graphic Image‘s book of 1000 Places will have you and your guests ready to explore.

An essential for any game, this unique set of dice add luxury and elegance to your party.

Spice up your cocktail party with these whimsical napkins! Each Kim Seybert napkin in this set has the picture of a different drink.

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:

Inspired by the style of 18th Century Chinese decoration, Mottahedeh’s Tobacco Leaf Collection is as historical as it is beautiful. The flowering Nicotina plant, depicted in vibrant hues, is said to be derived from Indian textile designs. This lively pattern is based on an original work now located at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and it is the perfect way to bring the elegant art and rich history of this period to your home.

On the elaborate dinner plate, a small phoenix rests atop the tobacco leaf to symbolize the beauty of rebirth.

A beautiful keepsake, the Pomegranate Box was given to the Emperor of Japan by the United Nations, and remains a memorable gift today.

A precise replica of the original 18th Century style, the teapot brings vibrance and color to your table.

Have you ever gone on a picnic and realized that you forgot to bring forks?  Well, if you ever went with Michael Aram, he’d create flatware out of twigs and bowls out of leaves, and you’d be dining like Alice in Wonderland.  If you like the idea of bringing something organic and whimsical into your home, this is the collection for you. In Michael’s own words, here are some of the ideas and inspirations behind his creations.

“I love the idea of looking around a room and feeling as if the outdoors is slowly and beautifully seeping into an interior space.”

“This (Olive Branch) imagery has always held a powerful meaning… peace and victory. In solid bronze, it takes on a wonderful permanence.”

“There is something so seductive about orchids in black… like the dark, velvety atmosphere of haute couture.”

“This (New Molten) collection is a celebration of craft. Each bead is created by hand and bears the interpretation of the individual welder who made it.”

“I love the idea of finding beautiful pieces from the seaside and creating vessels that can be used to set a magical environment…”

“I am intrigued by the striking textures created through the hand forging process. For me, they evoke the same deep, brooding mystery that I feel when I look at early 20th Century New York landmarks such as the Empire State and the Chrysler buildings.”

To view our entire Michael Aram collection, click here.

The Jacquard Francais story is one of generations of people with a passion for their work. Since 1888 they have created a collection of table linens without equal. Weavers, warp beamers, knotters and other specialists work in harmony to perfect the weaves and colors of all of their table linens.

Traditional techniques and state-of-the-art technology combine to create timeless tablecloths, napkins, placemats and table runners that will beautify your tables for many years.

Le Jacquard Francais coated tablecloths are made of 100% cotton weave with long fibers. They are waterproof and stain-resistant thanks to a patented and exclusive acrylic coating that withstands washing.

Practical and easy to use, these tablecloths will stand up to frequent use for numerous occasions: in the lounge, kitchen or patio.

See all of our Le Jacquard Francais table linens.