Women (and men) who make beautiful tableware: Marcela Sheridan and Atticus Lyon

With handcrafted tableware designed to stimulate the senses with surprising
combinations of texture and form, this Texas company is a fresh face in the
centuries-old china market.



I was so happy to see Atticus profiled in this month's issue of Southern Accents magazine.
I'd written about the brand in a previous post entitled, "Home Sweet Atticus Home"
as I am such a huge fan of the entire collection. Crafted from luxurious yet
environmentally friendly materials, such as buffalo horn, sand-cast aluminum and
sustainable woods, each piece is a functional work of art!

What I love most about Atticus is its founders - - - Marcela Sheridan and Atticus Lyon.
They wanted to make tableware for the customer who wanted to live with beautiful,
smart and casual things and that is exactly what they did. Atticus left his job in the
high-stakes world of investment banking because he needed a creative outlet. After
five months of extensive research he and partner Marcela Sheridan, who studied
product design at Parsons School of Design decided to try their hand in the tabletop
market and in 2006 they introduced their first line. There is something to be said for
those that are able to step out of their 'comfort zone' to follow their passion.



I think we can all be inspired by Atticus and Marcela. As we start this new year, is
there something you yearn to achieve - - - start your own business, take a class, design
a website, create a blog or make tableware? If there's a dream in your life - - - something
you yearn to achieve, or merely something it would be so much fun to try - - - don't put
it aside, do it now. Yes, now. Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today.

Atticus dinnerware can be found online at : Bloomingdale's, Vivre and other fine tabletop
retailers.

Take charge in 2008: Haviland Laque De Chine

At the start of the new year you may have defined a few goals for yourself.
Well, don't stop with your goals, to define and embellish your table setting all you
have to do is "charge it"!



Many may remain hesitant, if not skeptical, about buying chargers, why would
anyone buy a plate that was either immediately whisked away before dinner or sat unused
underneath the actual dinner plate? Because chargers are like picture frames, outlining
your favorite tableware and highlighting it's beauty.



My favorite chargers are Haviland's Laque De Chine which are available in an array
of vivid colors. Slightly larger than a dinner plate but smaller than a platter,
chargers are simply for decoration, not for food service. You'll find chargers
on formal tables and being used for casual dinners. To me, they are essential
for any well-dressed table because these super discs elevate the look of the
tabletop in a flash.

May plastic champagne glasses be forgotten and never brought to mind

A regular glass tumbler will do fine if that's all you have on hand, and even clear
plastic is OK for a picnic or an evening concert in the park. But with New Year's on
Monday, it's time to chill the champagne and bring out the nice glasses and toast
the new year!


(l to r: luxembourg champagne flute, $68.00, Faberge, Bodanica; Lismore crystal toasting flutes, $135.00, Waterford)

Here are some caveats and suggestions regarding glassware that will provide you
with beaucoup de bubbles and a better tasting champagne.


(l to r: champagne flute, Saint Louis Crystal, $175.00, Michael C. Fina; Denise champagne flute, $45.00, Tiffany and Co.; Linear platinum champagne glass, $21.60, Kim Seybert;
Onde champagne flute, $80.00, Baccarat; Love Knots toasting flutes, $60.00, Vera Wang;
Victoria champagne flute, $90.00, Juliska)

The long, narrow Champagne flute is much more common these days than the saucer-style
glass. The wine doesn't slosh around and spill as easily as it does in a saucer glass. The
bubbles also can be seen more easily as they make a long bead to the surface (the best-
quality sparkling wines have bubbles like strings of tiny beads that seem to never end).
And it's easier with a flute to get your nose close to the wine to enjoy the aroma - and that's
good because taste is greatly enhanced by smell. Whatever glass is used, may sure it is
squeaky, clean and dry, with no soap film or streaks.


(l to r: Edge flute, $9.95, Crate and Barrel; Foster flute set, $175.00, Ralph Lauren)

Best of all is a crystal flute with no etchings or adornment that interferes with seeing the wine
Besides its elegance, the character of fine crystal adds a sparkle that enhances the natural sparkle of the wine. So when you raise your glass at midnight, ring in the New Year with style. Cheers!

Image source: Yum Sugar

This Christmas

"May we set an extra place at the table this Christmas, as we remember the hungry,
the poor. May we wrap an extra gift this Christmas, as we remember the lonely,
the confused. May we give an extra hug this Christmas, as an expression of love to
those around us. May we spend extra time in meditation this Christmas, as we
remember all the blessings we've received - - - beautiful gifts of life and peace"

- Norma Woodbridge

Above are holiday cards that I received from fellow bloggers who participated in
my friend Vane's holiday card swap. It was so great going to the mailbox and
getting these handmade cards, you guys are extremely talented. I hope we can do it
again next year.

To all my readers, I can't thank you enough for all your support, comments and emails.
It has been such a pleasure getting to know you and sharing my love of tableware
with you. Merry Christmas to you and enjoy the day!

Cheers to the well-dressed table,
Sarah

SEAson’s Greetings: Coastal tablesettings

Forget about Jack Frost nipping at your nose - better to slather on the sun block.
Dreaming of a White Christmas? You must mean the sand in your sandals. While
I’m here in New York with snow and freezing temperatures, there are people along
our coastlines that are basking in the glow of Christmas in a warm sun. Those living
along the coast have indeed put their own twist on the holiday. The key to coastal
style is bringing the outside in.



Bring the coast to your table with Cool Blues - silver accents sparkle when paired
with dinnerware in watery hues. Natural Neutrals - texture—from smooth mother-
of-pearl to rough pebbles—adds interest to a soft, white setting with fish sea horse
napkin rings and place card holders. Bold Black and White - who needs red? Go
for drama with starkly contrasting plates and accessories.



Remember the holidays only come once a year. Make this year count by updating
your holiday decor with coastal flare like sea shells and star fish. Family and friends
will cherish this special time for years to come thanks to your creativity and thoughtfulness.



Images sources: Coastal Living, Country Living and Coastal Christmas

A Blue Christmas Doesn't Mean the Christmas Blues

Blue is especially appealing because it matches many people's home decor
and many people have blue motifs in their homes. So boundless is blue that
you could pair it with red this holiday for a surprisingly elegant look.



Start with blue-greens ranging in intensity from pale to brilliant and temper
it with a deep, orangery red. No color combination is as endlessly versatile as
this dynamic duo. Here we see it change moods - - - cooling the modern with
aqua, igniting the exotic with chocolate brown, and raising the sophistication
level of traditional with white.





Yes, there are annual trends in holiday decor and this combination is one
of them. Blue and red are not only hot choices for Winter 2007 look out
for this combination in the Spring.



Image sources: House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Hostess with the Mostess,
and Real Simple.

Hooked on tradition: Candy canes, an old-time treat, used for holiday decor

Candy Canes are so festive, they just scream, "Christmas!" Candy canes are one
of the most recognizable symbols of the season. Not only are they a sweet treat,
they're used for decoration.



Sunday while talking to my Mom on the phone she spoke so fondly of the history
and symbolism associated with this product. It didn’t take me long to realize
that the candy cane is one of the few decorative things that we still have at
Christmas that retains the original symbolic meaning.


(above: Candy cane dinnerware, from $7.35, Golden Rabbit)

Candy canes were, according to popular legend, invented in the 1600s in Cologne,
Germany, by a choirmaster who shaped sugar sticks into shepherds' crooks in an
effort to focus the attention of his restless students during a lengthy Nativity program.



While the crook symbolized the staffs carried by shepherds visiting the newborn
Jesus in Bethlehem, the red stripes were originally intended to represent the
blood shed by Christ at the time of his scourging and crucifixion.



The candy is hard because Christ is the rock of ages. The flavor is peppermint,
which is similar to hyssop. Hyssop is in the mint family, used in the Old Testament
for purification and sacrifice and Jesus is the pure Lamb of God, come to be a
sacrifice for the sins of the world.

So, now every time you see a candy cane, remember what the Christmas candy
cane symbolizes. "Jesus is the reason for the season."

Image sources: Country Living, Hostess with the Mostess and Better Homes and Garden