It is question I ask myself often.
Do I go Buff?
I‘m talking silver…..of course. 🙂
Do you buff yours or do you shine it?
Do you buff yours or do you shine it?
The other day, when I shared my
I showcased a few pieces of my vintage silver.
I used an antique round tray placed behind a vintage teapot.
A footed dish holds a white candle and reindeer moss.
Over the years, I have come to appreciate the charm of a silver piece sporting a more vintage patina.
One of my favorite such “patina’d” pieces are antique trophies.
(pinterest)
I am on the hunt for a new collection, because somewhere in my mind I have determined I don’t have enough “collections.”
(what’s a few more right?)
(what’s a few more right?)
When I was in California visiting with my dear friends, Kathysue at
Good Life of Design and Jeanette (who was featured on HGTV),
we attended the Alameda Flea Market. Kathysue lucked upon a beautiful antique trophy, and I have to admit – I was a little jealous of her score, and considered sneaking it home in my suitcase. *wink*
I am finding they are harder to come by.
I am finding they are harder to come by.
Look at this beautiful collection of trophies…
(compliments of http://antiquechase.blogspot.com/)
The best part about silver these days, is you can now find it relatively inexpensively at thrift stores and flea markets. And to me, it seems that the more “patina” it has – the cheaper the deal.
(Let’s hope they don’t discover that we LIKE it that way) 🙂
(pinterest)
Here is another trophy, but in the form of a bowl. Paired with dried blue hydrangeas, I can’t think of a better combination.
(pinterest)
I almost lost my heart to these little beauties.
Vintage, silver egg cups…oh my!
Silver goblets planted with “hens and chicks” succulents. Love!
(pinterest)
What a beautiful tray topped with a collection of
salt and pepper shakers.
salt and pepper shakers.
(pinterest)
Now this is what I would consider a silver enthusiast. 🙂
(pinterest)
A gallery-style wall of assorted sizes and shapes of trays.
What a beautiful statement on a feature wall.
(compliments of http://antiquechase.blogspot.com/)
More succulent planting. I am pretty sure I will be doing this in my own home pretty soon.
More succulent planting. I am pretty sure I will be doing this in my own home pretty soon.
So which do you prefer? Patina or Shine?
I think they are both pretty in their own way.
For Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch,
I will be sharing a very unique piece of silver I purchased when we lived in Newport, Rhode Island. I have not seen many like it.
I can’t wait for you to see what I do with it.
Please join me Monday!
It’s supposed to be near 70 degrees tomorrow, which means time to clean off the front porch and clear out the planters of all the dead plantings.
Have a wonderful weekend, my friends.
Dixie says
I was raised in the deep south by a grandmother that liked her silver polished often.. I loved doing the polishing…and she and I would sit and talk about days-gone-by as we polished away…One thing I learned while polishing… if you don’t polish, the oxidation begins to ruin the silver finish… so… I still polish… but I really think it’s the “bling”!
View CommentAshTreeCottage says
I like the patina ~ so I prefer to go buff. Must admit, you caught my eye with that title!
Hugs,
View CommentSusan and Bentley
Tracey@Breathing English Air says
When I was a school girl I used to help an old lady with her cleaning, and this involved polishing the silver. So for the hours I spent at that task (I had to do the brass door furniture too) I would say shine.
View CommentSuzan says
I am the daughter of an Army officer. One of my jobs in our very large family was to polish the silver as my parents entertained frequently. I do love to polish silver but have learned to enjoy slightly tarnished, not quite so shiny, silver. I have a decent collection (including lots of trays on a wall)that I will let darken for a bit and then do a quick (and not really thorough) cleaning.
View CommentI am intrigued by your box of baking soda. I put a large disposable aluminum tray in the bottom of my sink, add baking soda, salt and boiling water to clean my silver flatware. What do you do with your baking soda pictured?
marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says
Gorgeous silver pics Barb. I like mine shiny. I know, just a weird one. Can’t wait to see your pieces. Hugs, Marty
View Commentcottonreel says
Hard work , but shine . I love that tray with the feet . It’s that feeling again . I want what she has.
View CommentPaula says
I like my silver to shine!
View CommentMary-Sweetwater Style says
Funny you should post about this….I just did one about my collection and some polishing tips too….
View CommentI try to tell myself tarnish is pretty…but when it is time to entertain…I always polish!
Would love to have you check out my silver posts.
http://sweetwaterstyle.blogspot.com/2012/01/use-what-ive-got-challenge-4-goodwill.html
Miss Char says
I love both, it just depends on the piece. Love that gallery picture, I’ve just started one in my bedroom. Thanks for sharing.
View CommentLinda (Nina's Nest) says
I like silver any which way it comes! Boy, would I love to have a trophy collection….haven’t found any even remotely in my price range, though. Linda
View CommentShirley@Housepitality Designs says
Great question!..Actually I love the look of both. I love the shiny silver when I am placing silver with glass or crystal for that “blingy” look and then I like to pair the “buff” look with other textured items.
Truthfully, I really thought after I read the title, I was expecting an image of a guy with a six pack, like your “laundry room guy”..you fooled me!! 🙂
View CommentCeekay- Thinkin of Home says
I really like the silver and the succulents….so pretty together!!
View CommentThe Tablescaper says
Barb:
You have a beautiful collection. I try not to polish, I try to enjoy the tarnished look and…occasionally I do, but my heart really sings when things are polished.
Come for a visit. I’m having a GIVEAWAY.
– The Tablescaper
View CommentShenita @ Embellishments by SLR says
I love it both ways! If I am entertaining and mixing it with crystal, I want it to shine! However, if I am doing a vignette, I prefer it a little tarnished. That’s part of my attraction to silver…the versatility.
View CommentJust Stuff From a Boomer says
I’m a shiner too. My southern grandmother served as a companion/housekeeper to an elderly widow, back in the early 1960s. At age 56 she had no other way of supporting herself. I was 13 and remember visiting and helping her polish the the silver all laid out on the dining room table. So, any pieces I find now have to be polished.
View CommentAntiqueChase says
Hi! You have two of my photos here. The succulents in silver and the Trophy cups on the silver plate.
View Comment