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Entertaining at Home – a Practical Guide in Pictures

Entertaining at Home – a Practical Guide in Pictures

April 8 2020
We love a fancy table at Lavish Shoestring, and not only on special occasions. Here is some traditional inspiration from our team.
Lavish Snippet: Apple Green & White Home Decor

Lavish Snippet: Apple Green & White Home Decor

December 12 2019
Blue & White tableware has been in vogue for the best part of the past 200+ years, and it is ...
Make everyday tea time a more festive occasion!

Make everyday tea time a more festive occasion!

June 8 2018
Why not make every day tea time a bit more of a festive occasion! The couple above are looking qu...
Arts & Crafts Movement and Archibald Knox (1864-1933)

Arts & Crafts Movement and Archibald Knox (1864-1933)

May 8 2017
A major influence in the Arts & Crafts movement at the turn of the century was a revival of v...
Art Nouveau – a Short Introduction to the Main Design Schools

Art Nouveau – a Short Introduction to the Main Design Schools

April 8 2017
Art Nouveau movement owes much to William Morris (1834-1896). He fiercely challenged the aestheti...
Arts & Crafts and Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin (1812-1852)

Arts & Crafts and Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin (1812-1852)

March 7 2017
Arguably, Pugin is credited to be the spiritual father of the Arts & Craftsmovement. As he hi...
Blue & White Transfer Printed Pottery from Staffordshire, England

Blue & White Transfer Printed Pottery from Staffordshire, England

February 1 2017
Blue and white ceramics have been popular for hundreds of years, starting with the Chinese exports back in the 14th and 15th centuries. Transfer decorated blue and white was invented in the late 18th century and remained super popular ever since. This article explains briefly how it was made.
Berlin Iron

Berlin Iron

October 11 2016
Berlin Iron is a term applied to a group of cast iron items that were produced in parts of 19th century Prussia and in the modern day Germany. The assortment ranged from small decorative items to furniture, while jewellery represented a very large portion of production.
Blue & White table setting

Blue & White Willow china

July 5 2016
I have always loved blue and white china. As a little girl I remember my mother telling me the story of the oriental princess as she helped me to eat with my first cutlery. Each spoonful revealed more of the picture and as the story continued I happily finished my eating. I never tired of the Willow story and the trick always worked!
Inkwells – a Trip to the Pre Smartphone Era

Inkwells – a Trip to the Pre Smartphone Era

April 1 2016
In the 1950s US Post Office has scrapped the use of dip pens and inkwells in all its branches acr...
Arts & Crafts silver plated kettle

Arts & Crafts and Metalware Designs by Christopher Dresser

January 5 2016
Nowadays in the popular culture the name of Christopher Dresser (18034-1904) is often associated with his revolutionary metalware and especially silver plated tableware designs. However, Dresser originally was preoccupied with designs of ceramics, textiles, furniture and home interiors and only relatively later in his career he began contributing to the design field for which he is now particularly adored.
The popularity of using and collecting antique and vintage glass decanters

The popularity of using and collecting antique and vintage glass decanters

November 11 2015
The popularity of using as well as collecting decanters has increased over the last few years, al...
Candlesticks, Candelabras and Other Lighting

Candlesticks, Candelabras and Other Lighting

February 8 2015
Most candlesticks made before the 18th century were cast on one piece of solid brass. Very high c...