Welcoming Fall

Fall has arrived in New England bringing with it the cool, crisp days and hints of the glorious colors to come.  The kids are back to school, the days are getting shorter and we find ourselves looking up recipes for the perfect apple crisp.  We begin to take a look inside our home and think up ways to make it cozy and inviting.

At Wrentham Antiques we add touches of bittersweet, pumpkins and colored leaves to well stocked cupboards and place sunflowers and mums in brass, copper and pottery containers.  Candles in warm browns and oranges are added to every tablescape.  Soup tureens, wooden bowls, brass candlesticks and baskets are some of our most sought after items this time of year. Our old wood Farm tables and country cupboards are laden with ironstone china and pewter .  This is the perfect time of year for antiquing and apple picking in Wrentham, Mass.

Many of our customers make a day trip to the farms in our area such as Cook’s Valley Farm and The Big Apple and then meander along the back roads to visit us and the many delightful small shops our town has to offer.

Customers are Improving the Industry...one great find at a time!

Higher quality & better condition has been a difficult standard to cultivate.  Over the last 20 years we were continuously tempted by the industry's tendency to accept a low standard because there was always plenty of stuff... 1) there and 2) cheap.  Just because something is there and cheap doesn't mean someone will want, need or simply desire to have it.  All too often, that approach creates a shop where the few "good" items are overshadowed by the cluttered, build up of unwanted, well...stuff.

How many shops have evoked an unconscious "recoil" that has lead to your early exit?  We have been fortunate to have developed a meaningful relationship with most of our customers which has prompted us to listen and respond to what they want, need and often, simply desire.



In recent years we have been truly blessed with an abundance of fantastic merchandise that continues to improve our ability to serve our customers.  We thank all who have contributed to this evolution...one unique and great find at a time!

The "Stuff Bell Curve" and the 3 Stages

While we concentrate on being an advocate for our customers we’ve noticed that they transition through three basic stages and we help them to explore their options whether they are:
1) gathering
2) changing
3) distributing
their quality, prized possessions. Picture it as a kind of bell curve that slowly arcs along a person’s life cycle and it is common for all kinds of folks to need help and for different reasons. We have found that although most are very proficient within their own field of expertise they usually need a bit of help when it comes to one or all three stages of the “Stuff Bell Curve.”

The desire to create and maintain a “home” and its decor can easily become anything from a mundane grind to an overwhelming endeavor. Options are myriad and choices must be made and are usually best made with the aid of a trusted advisor. Whether that advisor is a friend, family member, a decorator/designer or a certain, familiar shop keeper…with whom you have a deep sense of confidence…oh and, of course, trust!

We believe trust is best achieved over time and where the exchange of ideas and goods is open and honest. Pushing an extrinsic sale or promoting impulsive buying can prematurely shorten the development of a long term relationship. A good conversation along with some listening and thoughtful consideration will usually result in better decisions. Nothing builds trust better than a good choice that provides long term satisfaction!

Our Farm Table...the Center of Our Home

Our reclaimed, barn board, farm table is truly the center of our family's life.  It is a true friend of today's lifestyle as it morphs perfectly as a durable, low maintenance and yet decorative work horse.  We find ourselves there at least once a day and more often many times throughout the day.  The simple fact that our farm table holds a prominent location right, smack in the middle of our home and is at the crossroads to the rest of the house, lends itself well as more than just a place to eat and converse.

The occasional ding and dibble seems to blend in as the years of character from weather and wear act as a natural camouflage.  The sponge-wipe-for-life, smooth surface offers a sort of refuge and peace of mind as though to reminded us that the table is here to work and with a sense of "grace under fire."

The busy schedule that we all keep has a way of forcing us to be somewhat centralized as we traverse from room to room searching for the "this that and the other," temporarily misplaced necessity as we prepare for our next trip to and from schools, classes, appointments, work, family functions and social commitments...not to mention the occasional respite from perpetual motion when we actually get a moment to sit!

So, aside from the ever-changing decorative centerpiece, we often have a collection of mail, catalogs, electronic devices, the ever-elusive set of keys, a tea or coffee mug...or two...or three, or so, a few books, newspaper, school projects, coupons and quite often a laptop or two.  All serving an important role in our very current, up to date, can't seem to catch up lives!

We do have the almost daily, traditional meals or holiday feast where we clear the decks and adorn the old wood surface with a full complement of vintage, table appointments suitable for a much needed moment of grace and interpersonal connectivity.  Ah, the slow motion of those moments and the daily updates from whomever about who knows what.  Then, the tranquility is set on pause while one or two unfortunate "volunteers" clatter their way through the clean, rinse and stack ritual that inevitably must follow what was a sacred, healing experience.  Such is the cadence of life.

A Valentine's Day Table for Two

I love the idea of creating a romantic dinner for two or a special dinner or breakfast for the whole family. We’ve had a lot of fun at the shop this week putting together some table vignettes to share with our customers.

Candlelight, crystal, china and flowers make everyone feel as though they are attending a special event! For us, making dinner and spending an evening together at our own table is a special event!

Come to our

Showroom and
Meet the Craftsman from
Warren Chair Works

JC Bellman

This Saturday Only, January 30th, 1-4PM
 JC has been a wood craftsman for most of his adult life.  He is skilled in both machined & handcrafted furniture making, as well as a master wood carver.  He has been intimately involve in the evolution of this georgious, new addition to the Warren Chair Works of Warren, RI's handcrafted, CONTEMPORARY LINE of furniture.  JC will be on hand to discuss all aspects of the newest addition to the Warren Chair Works Line of Fine Furniture!

THE CONTEMPORARY FARM TABLE & CHAIRS

YOU HAVE TO SEE this furniture to truly appreciate the beauty inherent in the subtlties brought about by the concept behind it's creation. The use and combination of all Solid Cherry or Walnut, Maple & Tiger Maple that is finished without staining highlights the natural grain and wood tones. The opposing and sweeping lines capture the eye with the use of Pin Stripes of Tiger Maple.

 

The table lacquer finish is applied so that the natural, wood grain texture can just barely be studied with the hand as it is inevitably drawn to the surface of each piece in this magnificent line of creative genius.

Truly, functional pieces of art made with 18th century techniques!

 

 

 

The Hope Chest is a Time Capsule!

I’m wondering if anyone under the age of 35 knows what a hope chest is? My mother has one and so do most women of her age. That’s where they collected the linens and other items – maybe a negligee or two - they would use to set up a home when they married.

Mom, who is in her seventies, received her hope chest from my father after becoming engaged to him. Other women received their chests from their own mothers before becoming engaged. I have been talking to women of all ages about their hope chests, and I’ve found that everyone seems to have a different story about how they received and used these attractive storage chests.

We just received the contents of a 90-year-old woman’s hope chest. It contained the story of her life! The embroidered and cutwork linen, tablecloths, antimacassars (anyone want to take a guess?) and pillowcases stitched with the couple’s initials. The wedding journal from the 1940s – she never wrote in it, but she kept it all those years; perhaps she couldn’t bring herself to part with a gift from her bridal shower. Did she wear that white lace boudoir jacket on her honeymoon?

We also got a glimpse into her married life. The aprons, neatly folded and unstained but soft from use, were handmade with Christmas themes and whimsical patterns typical of the 1950’s. Tablecloths the size of card tables were embroidered on each corner. China teacups recalled the countries where the couple had travelled. Gently worn, kid leather gloves, pocketbooks and piles of delicately embroidered handkerchiefs spoke of special occasions.

Today, vintage hope chests are not necessarily bought in anticipation of married life, but for the great storage they offer. If you happen to have inherited or have purchased a Lane hope chest from the 1920’s through 1987, you can call Lane at 1-888-856-8758 to receive a new childproof lock – see how things have changed? I can’t even imagine thinking my mother’s hope chest was the perfect place to hide when playing hide and go seek! But my big sister and I sure did like to peak into Mom’s hope chest – when she sent us there to retrieve something – and see the treasures inside.

Around the Kitchen Table...

Our kitchen table is a sanctuary, where we end our day as a family, not everyday, but as often as we can.

Our farm table provides the perfect surface for enjoying morning coffee while catching up on the news, emails and writing my blog. Oh, it sees many uses from craft projects, to homework, jigsaw puzzles to board games. But for me, the table’s best use is as the setting for a casual family dinner of simple home cooked food. It is worth the effort to slow down, connect with my children and husband, and just be together for a short time. Once dinner is over, we sometimes(but not often enough) linger over tea and dessert, sharing in love, laughter and conversation until the sighs begin and off we go to resume our busy schedules.

Years ago, my sister-in-law gave me a beautiful book entitled Mrs. Sharp’s Traditions, by Sarah Ban Breathnach. I have referred often to this book when trying to make special holidays and events, especially the Christmas season, even more memorable for my children. Simple ideas, such as bringing back the ritual of a Sunday meal, I took to heart. I serve a special brunch for my family and an ever-changing guest list. I’ve tried any number of recipes for French toast, quiche and omelettes over the years, but the children love “The Big, Fluffy Pancake” best. Remarkably, they still get excited as it comes out of the oven, puffed up like a soufflé. Some have gotten absolutely enormous!

If you’d like to try this pancake, CLICK HERE for the remarkably simple recipe. Be sure to let me know how yours comes out and how it is received. Even better, send me a photo as it emerges from the oven!

This blog isn’t about simple nostalgia for a time past, but a forum for thinking about how to renew traditions that seem almost lost, but which updated to suit our contemporary lives, could enrich our families enormously. It’s about creating new traditions that help bind family and friends – and maybe even live on in the lives our children make for themselves.

The Ties That Bind…

Every December, my family engages in a favorite holiday tradition – the Chowder Fest.

It all began with a little fish, the smelt, which is most readily available in our local supermarkets during the early winter months. My cousin loves to eat this little fish, and my father loves to oblige him by breading and frying them.

Not everyone is a smelt fan, however, so the menu grew to include seafood chowder, and now not a holiday season goes by without about 20 of us gathered around festive tables, feasting on the nutty tasting smelts, thick seafood chowder made with lobster, clams, scallops and haddock, warm rolls and salad.

Preparations begin days before as my father heads to the markets to find the freshest smelts – and he knows smelts! As a boy in Nova Scotia, he would catch them while ice fishing and sell them to the local fish market.

He and Mom also hunt for the best ingredients for their famous chowder. I, as always, help with the table arranging; preparing a table for the adults, one for the teens and a small round one for the youngest cousins. The tables are all set with linen tablecloths and napkins, Limoges china, sterling flatware, water goblets, wine goblets and tapered candles. On the adult table, the ivory English Titianware soup tureen serves as the centerpiece.

The evening is a time for us to gather with cousins, aunts, siblings and parents, and share with our children the ties of tradition that bind our family from generation to generation.

After bowing our heads in thanks for our blessings, the chowder tureen is filled with the thickest, creamiest, tastiest seafood chowder yet. Heaping platters of fried smelts arrive from the kitchen, where Dad presides over the frying pan. We toast to another year gone by.

If you’d like to try my father’s recipe for smelts and their recipe chowder, which could win an award in any contest, click here.

Every family has their special traditions. I know of one family that spends the afternoon of Christmas Eve wandering downtown Boston, buying last minute items and waiting for the lights to start twinkling. My sister’s Puerto Rican friends have their coquito (a coconut eggnog) and musical parrandas.

What about your family? What makes your holiday celebrations distinctive? Please share them with us in the comment section of this blog.

Welcome to "The Art of Gracious Living"

This is my first post on our new

 “The Art of Gracious Living” forum. I am looking forward to our sharing ideas about holiday traditions, celebrations and bringing civility and graciousness back into our daily lives.

Perhaps, like me, you feel the world has gotten a little coarse, a little too rushed and way too anxious. Maybe you would like to reflect on what our mothers, grandmothers and great aunts did to create sanctuaries for their families despite the challenges of the world outside.
When I was a child, I was always eager to help my mother set the table for a holiday meal, birthday or any other occasion. I loved taking out the Limoges china, only used for these special gatherings, and arranging each place setting with the crystal wine goblet, water goblet and the silver plate flatware, polished to a high sheen. I arranged two to three different forks, placed on a carefully folded linen napkin and the knife and teaspoon carefully around each plate. The gravy ladle, butter knives, flowers, candles, sparkling crystal condiment dishes and salt and pepper shakers, gravy boat, covered vegetable dishes to keep those mashed potatoes and creamed, pearl onions warm. The olives even had their own special fork!

With a gleaming setting like this, you couldn’t help but dress up a bit and remember to place your white crisp linen napkin on your lap before the first bite! Children, including me when I was small, were always on their best behavior, careful not to drop food on the brilliant white tablecloth and asking for dishes to be passed rather than using the “boarding house reach.”

I love this time of year at my shop, because our customers are as interested as I am in setting a beautiful table. Cut glass pitchers, wine glasses and water goblets; silver platters and vintage linens are purchased almost daily to take a star turn during a holiday gathering. I know these elegant vintage treasures will be cherished for years and meals to come.

I don’t think holidays should be all about the menu, do you? Please tell me your stories of holiday table settings. Do you have a special item that you lovingly take out for special occasions? What are your fondest memories of family dinners? Help us celebrate the holidays with your comments and photos that tell the story of how you express The Art of Gracious Living.

I hope that you, no matter your age or experience, will share in this conversation.

Become a Wrentham Antiques FAN on FaceBook

KIM MAY is BACK!

Join us for this

ONE DAY EVENT

Sunday, November 29th, from 12-5

Kim is offering 15% off her entire collection

...and deeper discounts for multiple purchases!!!

Sterling & White Gold

Kim will be bringing an extensive collection

of antique, vintage & fine jewelry

for this one day event!

Hand Carved Vintage Ivory

Enjoy free , fresh brewed, Starbucks coffee & delicious goodies!

A Forest of Christmas Pins

Some of what will be available...

Authentic vintage tiffany, Mikimoto pearl broaches, Victorian & Edwardian jewelry, carved & figural bakelite, cameos, designer signed Mexican silver, Lorenzo earrings, Miriam Haskell, Wendey Gell, Italian micro mosaic pieces, signed mid-century modernist pieces and much more!

Antique & vintage diamonds & gemstones

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU!

Join us this Saturday, November 21st

for a

Specialty Jewelry Show

Featuring

MOONSTONES

in Sterling & 14K Gold

Moonstones capture and reflect natural light...especially the magic of moonlight!



On hand will be a large selection of Victorian, Art Nouveau and Arts & Crafts as well as contemporary settings.

**********************

Also On Hand...

Over 30 Pendants by Famed Creator

Henryk Winograd

Henryk is well known for his detailed work in the art of repousse
as shown in this exsquisite example of the peacock done in pure silver.

Working It Everyday to Bring You the BEST!

We have been in the salt mines for days on end. Beating the bushes, scowering the landscape and leaving no stone unturned! Ok, so maybe we have been a bit more proactive in our effort to find, process and present to you a lot of great, primarily vintage (early 1900's) decorative accessories.


The idea is to make available to you the very decorative, as well as very useful, items to help you with this entertaining season...oh, and of course...at a very good price!

We have all of your favorites in decorative accessories and china including:

Noritake China
Fitz & Floyd
Waterford
Franz
Tiffany
Spode
Wedgewood
Belleek
Limoges
Elegant Glass

Sterling & Silverplate Flatware and Serving Pieces

We look forward to helping you to make this holiday & entertaining season the very best!

Charity Hummel Evaluation Weekend!

Come in and Meet

Collector & Expert

John Ward

October 24th & 25th

Saturday & Sunday

from 1:00 until 4:00
$5.00 per person for up to 5 Hummels.

All proceeds go to a Charity of John's choice.

John will be on hand to help you evaluate the market value of your hummel(s). He will inspect and study each piece for it's authenticity, condition and relative value. He will also discuss the care and repair of your hummels.




John is a local resident and has been collecting and studying hummels for over 20 years. He has managed to accumulate a significant collection and has learned a lot along the way! He is happy to share all that he knows with each participant.

Click on the image below to watch an interview with John

Introducing the Ersari Rug Weavers' Collection

The Decorators Choice

*****************

The right rug for the right price!

Click on rug to watch Part I of IV Videos

"Traditional Methods"

Featuring Dr.Vito Nicastro

The Ersari Rug Weavers of greater Persia have partnered directly with Dr. Vito Nicastro to bring to us the rugs that the decorators have come to appreciate for many reasons. This collection is considered the perfect marrage of the traditional methods with the best materials, techniques and weavers. The Ersari Collection offers a soft visual texture and is a clear alternative for today's decors!


The Ersaris are the largest tribe of the Turkmen people originating from Central Asia. They are a nomadic people and many have settled in Northern Afghanistan for hundreds of years now and are considered Master Weavers.

All of the wool is hand carded so that no fibers are broken. All of the yarn is hand spun so it is stronger and variegated for that soft, antique look.

All of the dyes are natural, derived from vegetal substances like indigo, madder root and pomegranate which are the most durable dyes as well as the most beautiful.

Watch These

Informative Videos

Featuring Dr. Vito Nicastro

Video Part II, "Economics"

Video Part III, "Options & Pricing"

Video Part IV, "Decor Made Easy"