The Beautiful Return of Silver, Crystal and Treasured Things
Isn't it funny how decorating trends come full circle?
For years, we packed away our silver, crystal and fine china, banishing them to cupboards, storage boxes and attics. They were considered old-fashioned, too formal, too much trouble to clean and certainly not suited to the minimalist interiors we had all come to embrace.
And now, here we are, dusting them off, admiring them with fresh eyes and Googling the best way to remove decades of tarnish!
I have to admit, I am one of those people.
When I married at 21, I received nine silver trays as wedding presents. Nine! All beautiful gifts, generously given, although at that age I had absolutely no idea what I was supposed to do with them all.
I soon discovered the joys of polishing silver, but realistically, how many silver trays could a young married woman possibly display or use?
Unfortunately, they couldn't be traded in for a deposit on our first home either, which would have been considerably more useful at the time!
So, like so many beautiful things from that era, they were carefully packed away and largely forgotten.
Fast-forward all these years, and suddenly I'm looking at those same trays in a completely different light. A beautiful, albeit heavily tarnished, light.
Recently, I decided to bring one back to life. After a little effort and a fair amount of polishing, there it was, gleaming again. I placed it in a room and immediately noticed how much it added. A little reflection, a little elegance and something wonderfully unexpected.
I stood back, admired it and thought, OK, let's do this!
Perhaps those other eight trays deserve another chance after all.
My Love Affair with Crystal Never Really Ended
Unlike silver, I never completely fell out of love with crystal.
Having worked with Swarovski for many years, I developed a real appreciation for anything that sparkles. Beautifully cut crystal, the way it catches the light, the reflections and the craftsmanship have always appealed to me.
And let's not forget cut glass. It can be every bit as lovely and often has a character all of its own.
In fact, I still have my late mother's china cabinet, which was originally a wedding present to my parents from my grandparents.
Today, it sits proudly in my home, filled entirely with crystal and cut glass. It is quite possibly overwhelmed by sparkle, and I absolutely love it.
Does it particularly match anything else in the room?
Not really.
Do I care?
Not one bit.
That little cabinet represents generations of family memories. Every piece has a story, a connection or a reminder of another time. It isn't there because it follows a decorating trend. It's there because it means something to me.
And surely that's what makes a home truly personal.
When Did We Stop Using the Good Things?
Somewhere along the way, I think we lost a little of the pleasure that came with owning and using beautiful things.
Life became busy. We were raising families, juggling work, running households and entertaining friends around the barbecue. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Some of the best gatherings happen around a barbecue with a glass of wine and good company.
But the silver trays, crystal glasses and beautiful china slowly disappeared from everyday life.
We embraced minimalism, cleared our surfaces and packed away anything that required maintenance or didn't serve an immediate purpose.
Everything became simpler, more practical and perhaps a little less sentimental.
Looking back, I think that was a shame.
Not because we should return to formal dining rooms or perfectly laid tables that nobody dares touch, but because somewhere in all that simplifying, we forgot the pleasure of a little occasion.
The beautiful glasses kept for special guests. The silver tray that made even a simple afternoon tea feel rather lovely. The china that came out when family gathered.
Why did we decide those things were no longer relevant?
The Return of Collected Interiors
One of the decorating directions I am particularly enjoying is the renewed appreciation for interiors that feel layered, personal and collected over time.
We are seeing silver, crystal, vintage glassware, decorative china and inherited pieces finding their way back into contemporary homes.
And the wonderful thing is, they don't need to be displayed in the traditional way.
A beautifully polished silver tray can look fabulous on a contemporary coffee table with a candle, a small vase and a favourite book.
Crystal glasses can sit alongside modern dinnerware, adding a little glamour without making the occasion feel overly formal.
An antique silver bowl filled with fresh greenery can be a stunning addition to a modern kitchen island.
And a collection of cut glass displayed together can create the most beautiful play of light.
It's the contrast that makes these pieces interesting. Old alongside new. Something ornate against a simple background. A little sparkle amongst natural textures.
You don't need a traditional home to enjoy traditional treasures.
In fact, I think they can look even more beautiful when introduced into a modern or transitional interior.
A Little Tarnish, A Lot of History
Of course, there is the small matter of cleaning everything!
After years in storage, some of my silver is going to require a little attention, and I suspect I will become quite familiar with silver polish again.
But perhaps that's part of the pleasure.
Not every piece needs to be polished to perfection, either. A little patina can be beautiful, especially on older decorative pieces where the character of age adds to their appeal.
It's worth remembering to check whether a piece is solid silver, silver-plated or an antique before attempting to clean it. Gentle, appropriate care is important, particularly when something has sentimental or historical value.
I'm finding that bringing these pieces back into the home is almost like rediscovering old friends.
Things that have been with us for decades, quietly waiting for their moment to shine again.
Perhaps It's Time to Bring Out the Good Glasses
I think this renewed appreciation for crystal, silver and beautifully crafted objects is about more than another decorating trend.
Perhaps we're rediscovering the pleasure of slowing down a little, setting a lovely table, inviting people over and enjoying the things we've spent a lifetime collecting.
We don't need a special occasion to use the good glasses.
We don't need twelve dinner guests to bring out a silver tray.
And we certainly don't need everything in our homes to match perfectly.
Sometimes the most beautiful interiors are the ones that tell the story of the people who live there.
So, if you have a cupboard filled with inherited crystal, wedding-present silver or beautiful pieces that haven't seen daylight in years, perhaps it's time to have another look.
You might be surprised by how lovely they are and how beautifully they can sit alongside everything you own today.
As for me, I have eight more silver trays waiting for their moment.
And that little china cabinet full of sparkle?
It's staying exactly where it is.
Because at the end of the day, a beautiful home isn't just about how it looks. It's about how it makes you feel, the memories it holds and the pleasure of sharing it with family and true friends.
And if there's a little sparkle involved, all the better.
Annette
Portico Styling
Finish Beautifully. PS: SILVO, TARN-OFF & WRIGHT SILVER CREAM ;)
