A note about yesterday’s post. So yesterday I talked about silk flowers, and asked what you thought. I appreciate the two-way conversation. Some readers don’t like silk flowers, and some really do like them. At the end of the day, it’s best to do what works for you. I read all of the comments, and thought there were some excellent points made and good arguments. I have to agree with you, for some people silk flowers are the best option. (You can put down your pitch forks!) Ha, no seriously sometimes I think I should talk about something less controversial like politics and religion. It’s all good. Ya’ll keep me in check!
Okay, now onto today’s topic.
So what make the space look elegant? Here are 7 things that I used to make this space elegant.
The first one may sound silly, but I promise it works.
1. Pellegrino water bottles
The Pellegrino water looks super cool and it looks like it belongs in a very expensive home. I’m not kidding you. Try setting a few bottles out. Besides, your guests will love them. Just replace as they are used.
2. Crystal
I also displayed some of my crystal here. I didn’t buy much of it. I inherited a lot. You may not have room to display all of this, but a crystal bowl would add some sparkle to your kitchen. You can use it for any fruit you left out like apples or lemons.
3. Silver
Silver says ‘elegant’. I love to add some silver here and there. the tray is a special favorite of mine. You can lean a tray up against the wall, or use it flat on the counter. I also used a silver ice bucket here.
4. Mercury glass
I mainly use mercury glass for the holidays, but really the silver mercury glass works year-round. The reflective surface is really pretty.
5. Vintage trophies
I love vintage trophies.
They have a history, and even if I don’t know all of the details, I still think they are ‘way cool.’ I love using them to hold these boxwood balls, but I also use them for vases.
6. Architectural print
Well again, they just look so elegant to me. Usually they are black and white, but I have one that is in color.
7. Tea tins
This tea is Fortnum and Mason from London, but you can use any tea tins. It just looks so inviting to me to see pretty tins sitting out. It’s the first thing I have every morning. Yum.
What are your tips for giving a space elegance?
I really enjoy reading your email every morning!! Thanks a bunch!!
So happy to hear that Sue!!
I am so glad I found your blog! I am learning so much
I use 5 out of 7!
xoKathleen
Please don’t stop talking about what you call “controversial”! It’s not interesting if everyone thinks alike! I love your blog and the 1-2-3 way you present ideas, and you never know when someone will have an ‘Ahah’ moment!!
I enjoy your blog and value your creativity as well as your opinions and suggestions on decorating. So pleased that yesterday’s little debate will not discourage you, Off to find a place for a silver tray or two in my kitchen.
I really think we are long lost “sisters” somehow!! I love, love your style and truthfully every single one of these items currently reside in my own kitchen!! Of course, your gift for display far surpasses my own, so it’s great fun to see different ways to showcase what I already have!!
As for the controversial subjects, please proceed!! We are not all clones of one another, and seeing other points of view are stimulating, never dull and truly inspiring!! I applaud you for the classic and dignified way in which you’ve handled some recent criticisms (and in at least one case, an outright attack). Grace never goes out of style.
Thank you Paula. Yes it was a lively discussion!
Great ideas! I definitely need to implement some of these in my own home.
Tami @ Curb Alert!
Tami thank you!!
Loved the discussion re: real flowers, fake flowers. I would so love to be able to put out fresh flowers on a regular basis. My problem in doing so is my kitty who thinks anything green (whether alive or dead) is fair game for snacking. Thus, no fresh flowers and no silks or dried either. What’s a girl to do?????
Am looking for a spot in my small kitchen condo where I can set up a lovely space with some of these 7 items. Am hatching an idea and will report back!
Oh yes the old kitty dilemma. That’s a tough one. I don’t have a cat, so someone will need to tell me with works with them.
I love using Pelligrino water bottles too, especially in the summer! I always like to incorporate a touch of blue in my kitchen! Your post has me thinking about adding some silver or crystal in too….I always have lots of white dishes out so this would be a little different twist on that look. Thanks for your insightful posts!
Yes I think silver and crystal add a bit of bling.
Funny, I’ve realized I basically have a formula for almost every room. It includes much of what you mentioned, but I’d add white embroidered linen. My formula is essentially: crystal, gilding, silver, flowers, white linen and something chippy. I like the tea tins idea, as well. And yes to Pellegrino… 🙂 I also love the water that comes in the blue glass bottles, although I don’t have much rich blue in my home.
Lory, your things are so beautiful! I love see all of your goodies set out on the table.
I like to keep it simple and uncluttered in my kitchen. I think candles and fresh flowers help make a kitchen look more elegant which can sometimes lean towards more expensive. Too much of anything will distract the eye so Less is more in my book and notice I brought up real flowers again!? LOL
Anita- I ABSOLUTELY love your staging!!! It does look classic, elegant, yet fresh. You really have a “knack”! I am going to incorporate some more of these items, myself. THANK YOU!
I think that less is more. I think your area looks cluttered with too much of a good thing. I would put away all the water bottles and almost a dozen tea cans, and just feature your crystal ware. I would just feature the serving pieces not the goblets. The shelves should have a theme, not show a mishmash of everything you own. Or, if you have more mercury glass, then use that. I would bring back a couple of tea cans if you have a nice collection of tea cups and saucers along with tea pots. Why is a trophy in the first picture? Sorry this is not cool to me…
To each his own!
I like your style,it is simple but,elegant. I have 5 out of 7 plus i have a few linen pieces.
I sure would like to find some vintage trophies. Scarce as hen’s teeth in the St. Louis area. IF I find one they are very, very expensive. I particularly love the “pewter” looking one you showed.
Lively debate is good for the soul so I vote for keeping exciting issues on the table. As for today’s advice…I don’t have French decor, but use these same items in my classic decor. I don’t have any tins, but surely do want some now that I’ve seen this post. Your comments provide advice that is timeless. Thanks for sharing.
what a beautiful spot you created! so pretty!
I filled a fancy crystal bowl with Christmas M & M’s. I’m sure the tacky candy cancels out the fancy dish. My husband ate them all in three days so I told him to replace them. He just added a small amount. He said he couldn’t find Holiday ones so he had to eat all but the red and green. He would drink all of that fancy water after one lawn mowing adventure. But I’ll enjoy looking at yours Anita.
LOL!!
Gloria, your house sounds like mine! I love Anita’s decor but wonder if she has grass to be mown and leaves to be raked and firewood to be brought in from the woods!!!
Oh, to live the elegant life. Maybe in the retirement home………
I did score a silver ice bucket (I think it is for the champagne…… definitely not a trophy) from Restore for a whole $10. It was just sitting there on the counter, looking all lonesome, waiting for me to rescue it…….Made my day.
I should have saved all the tea tins I tossed (when I gave up tea) and maybe sold them online!!!!! LOL
btw, the ice bucket nicely holds flowers a friend brings when she comes to visit. It’s in the dining room….. where the silver trays reside. Not enough room in my kitchen for the pots and pans, much less fancy glass and silver! But I do like the Pellegrino water bottles.
Isn’t it great that we all get to see how the bloggers decorate and we can take the best for our situation and leave the rest, while adding our own special “spin” on it all! America is one great country!!!!
Cheerio, MJ
MJ,
Oh yes, dishes are in the sink, and leaves are all over the yard here, I can’t do everything! And who wants to read about the pile of laundry in my house? And so that is why I don’t write about it. It’s boring!
I totally agree with all of your ideas!!
Your comment about trophies brought back a garage sale memory. I once put out a whole box of trophies, some nice, some not so much, thinking no one would buy them. Would you believe they were the first thing to go, and I’ve often wondered to what use were they put.
I’m a newbie to your blog (about a month) and really enjoy it. I totally agree with you about silver adding elegance. I have a collection of mismatched silver items and keep them in a basket in my dining room. It makes them easily accessible and when not in use, they look great just in the basket. And if they’re tarnished, no big deal. A little silver here and there when I host luncheons adds just enough charm. I also have some crystal sugar bowl and creamer sets and little tea lights in them is just lovely.
Anita,
I MUST get some Pellegrino water bottles and a few Tea Tins!!!
2015’s Project #2 is a renewal of our Galley Style Kitchen!!!
Love all of these inspirations!!!
I’ve already been jotting down items for display. . .
and many of those you listed are at the top!
Thanks for sharing!!!
Fondly,
Pat
In my mostly white kitchen with tan and brown accents, I hung a large Victorian walnut mirror over the sink. It added instant elegance. From the ceiling I hung a small antique light above the mirror where I was originally going to put a spotlight. Love it!
Aww… everything is just so lovely. Thank you for the inspiring great ideas. I like the tea tins idea. I have a few sitting out and I just bought two new teas and decided I need two more tins to put them in. So you have inspired me to get the tins and just line them up. We’ll see how it looks.
Blessings,
Gayle from Behind the Garden Gate
Lighting is always a source of elegance. Don’t forget the dimmer!
Good point on the dinner Susan!
Anita, love all the silver, white on white, crystal…and now Pellegrino! Great ideas…you are good! Some silk worked in with real or dried looks great too…no one needs to know.
This is gorgeous. I agree-silver does the trick every time. I would also add a personal photo in a tiny, beautiful silver frame and a dark, wood piece with a fabulous grain. Maybe a bowl or a spindle.
i had such a big smile, Anita, when I read this post as yesterday (talk about coincidence!!) I almost bought four Pellegrino bottles for the counter but was on foot and had too many groceries to carry home. So, I’m doing that this weekend. I also have been looking for a trophy container.
In the meantime, I use a silver creamer to hold smaller kitchen utensils that would otherwise get lost in my (larger) kitchen utensil holder. Like you, I’m fond of silver trays for everyday use and display – polished or tarnished … it’s all good!!
Another item I like in kitchen decor is interesting breadboards and the occasional artist painting. Love your blog!
Can I add a PS, Anita? …. I’m also a big fan of a small lamp sitting out on the kitchen counter if space allows.
It can hide a multitude of sins if there’s a few dirty dishes still sitting in the sink and company pops in! 🙂
What fun and original tips to make a kitchen look more elegant. I am going to have to get some Pellegrino bottles. They do look very nice, and they’d go with just about any style kitchen. Pinning for your great ideas, and your beautiful photography.