collecting: my glass menagerie

Over the past year, I’ve been steadily collecting beautiful vintage glassware for my table settings. The ones I look for are vividly colored and have an interesting shape or pattern. Mostly I’m attracted to the color and how it will enhance a table.

Actually, most of these are vintage, but I have plenty that aren't. You never know where you'll find some. World Market has some nice ones occasionally. 

These vintage pieces are really affordable. You just need to keep your eyes open for them at thrift stores, flea markets and yard sales. 

Sets are always great to find, but individual pieces work nicely for coordinating with glasses of the same color. I try to stick to the goblet shape mostly, but tall tumblers and old-fashioned sizes are a nice find too.

I did buy these blue ones online only because it’s been impossible to find them elsewhere. I found the amber version of this glass at Home Goods years and years ago, and haven’t been able to find any since.

As you know, I love the different blue tones from the palest baby blue to sophisticated navy, and they look so good with blue and white transferware. The green glasses are surprisingly versatile too, as you can see in the following photos.

I just love using at least one of these candy colored glasses in each tablescapes I set. They’re like jewelry to a table and add that necessary sparkle that everyone loves!

blue 

       turquoise

amber

green

pink

amethyst

mixed

vintage clear 

black

accented with gold

I hope you’ll check back tomorrow when I share all of my favorite blue glassware. You won’t want to miss it!

ciao! fabiana

💕

While I’m here today, I wanted to share some of my "Tablescaping Essentials" with you. I have a whole page on the Amazon website with my favorite picks for setting a beautiful table.

Quite often time is of the essence, and I have last minute projects or events to work on, so I turn to Amazon for one or two day delivery. You’d be surprised at how many amazing items they have to offer! And I'm constantly updating this page with my new favorites. 

You can check it out here, at “Tablescaping Essentials”.

P.S. I’m on a mini-summer vacation for August, so you’ll be reading condensed versions of summer-inspired blog posts this month.

patricia altschul's Charleston mansion

an in-depth look at Patricia’s Isaac Jenkins Mikell house

the Isaac Jenkins Mikell house

Yesterday’s blog post featured the fun coastal inspired home of Southern Charm’s Chelsea Meissner, and today we’re doing a complete 180, as we showcase the best of Patricia Altschul’s historic Charleston, South Carolina mansion.

Also known as the Isaac Jenkins Mikell house, Patricia lovingly restored and decorated her amazing home with the help of interior designer Mario Buata. It’s also quite convenient that she’s great friends with Carolyne Roehm who also has a love of very traditional, old-school décor.

Patricia Altschul

Built in 1853, in the Italian villa style, This home was the Charleston public library from 1935-1960. Fast forward to 2008 and the home has new life breathed into it with homeowner Patricia.

Thanks to her faithful butler Michael, this home runs like a well-oiled machine and is so perfect for hosting fabulous dinner parties.

Enjoy a visual tour around Patricia’s home today and let me know if you’re a Southern Charm fan or quite simply just a Miss Patricia fan!  

Patricia suggests the entertaining following tips:

ü  Plan ahead. Don’t wait until the day of the party to get everything done. She says this allows you to be calm and relaxed for the party. “If you’re stressed, it shows and it makes people uncomfortable.”

ü  Write everything down, including whom you are inviting and what food you are planning to serve.

ü  Call and invite people at least a month in advance. “It’s not a spontaneous event — you’re investing your time and money,” she said. Speaking to someone on the phone also allows for a more personal connection and you’re likely to get an RSVP sooner.

ü  Host the party in your home. It’s less intimidating and much cozier than meeting at a restaurant.

ü  If you’re planning a dinner party on a budget, serve simple, well-prepared food such as spaghetti and meatballs, salad, and homemade cookies for dessert. “The whole purpose is to get together and have fun; it’s not a gourmand roundtable,” she said.

An artichoke themed dinner party with the Southern Charm girls. Watching this episode, it seemed like none of the guests had ever eaten an artichoke before!

Patricia had to explain the proper way to eat an artichoke.

ciao! fabiana

Check out Patricia’s essential lifestyle guide here:

Photos by Architectural Digest, Patricia Altschul 

on instagram  and Patrick Brickman on Houzz