All The Comforts Of Home

CURATING | by DEBRA PRINZING

MAKE THE ACT OF ENTERTAINING EVEN MORE PERSONAL when you raid the linen closet and china cupboard. You might be surprised to discover how many decorative items you already own, including heirlooms, hand-me-downs and cherished collections. Even if these old-timey pieces are tucked away at the back of a cabinet, they tell a story that’s uniquely yours.

© ANGIE NORWOOD BROWNE

Here are some ways to appreciate them:

• Use faded quilts, plaid blankets and even soft, flannel sheets as tablecloths or skirts. Warm and comforting, these textiles speak of home and hearth. They envelop and embrace the moment, reminding you and your loved ones of times past. If you’re worried about spills, layer a runner or placemat over the vintage cloth or use chargers underneath dinner plates.
• Polish old silver and silver-plate trays, saucers and pitchers. Inherited pieces from a grandmother or an aunt can be cleaned up and used for serving side dishes or displaying posies. Or, don’t polish at all ― and appreciate the patina of time.
• Give unmatched sets of glasses and plates a new purpose. Uneven numbers (due to a broken goblet or cracked dish) usually means a pattern or design is abandoned to the bottom shelf of the hutch. Recycle odd-numbered goblets and flutes into miniature vases that each contains a single flower stem. Line the center of your dining table with these castoffs and enjoy their beauty at eye level. Mix-and-match lonely salad plates, pairing them with simple white dishes for an eclectic presentation.

Cherished objects, fresh flowers and the glow of candles ― combined with the conviviality of friends and family ― are all you need to turn an ordinary table into a heartwarming one.