Antique Silverware

You guys!! My heart is overflowing with joy as I read your comments regarding my post yesterday about my inherited china set story! Seriously, I am so glad so many of you enjoyed it, and it resonated with you as much as it does with me! To me there is nothing more special than being able to connect with friends over a story, and I loved being able to do that with you! In case you missed it, you can read the whole story HERE about my inherited china set, and how this set of plates that sat in basement for years ended up sparking my love to create tablescapes. Some of you had asked about the antique silverware also seen in the photos, so I wanted to share where that came from as well.

I have two sets of antique silverware. The first I inherited from my grandmother, and the second was a Christmas present I received just a couple years ago.

The first set (shown below) was handed down from grandmother. I can’t remember exactly what year it was, but I know it was shortly after we bought our first house. She wasn’t about to make me drag them from place to place like said plates, so she waited until we were settled.

I’ll never forget the day we were at my moms, and out comes these silverware sets. My grandmother wanted to enlist the help of my sisters and I to help polish them. She had three full sets, all in their velvet lined boxes, and she loved to hold on to things to one day be able to pass them down.

She explained how her mother had passed down a set, and then when my mom and Aunt were little she purchased two more to give to them when they got married. Since my grandmother was now living at my moms house, they had no need for 2 sets in the same home, so she passed down hers to me.

I don’t know who was more excited. My grandmother, or me? She loved to pass along her treasures to my sisters and I, but sometimes we weren’t always that excited. This on the other hand I was so excited about! Of course I don’t keep mine as polished as she did. I know I can, but I sort of like the subtle tarnished look, because to me it resembles their story, and just how long they have been around.

My second set was a Christmas present. I guess you could say it was gifted to me from me, but for my husbands sake we will leave that detail out :p

I have always been smitten with the unique and curated look that Anthropologie provides. Since our closest Anthro store is in Boston, I don’t make in there, so I refer to perusing their online store. One day I was looking through their tableware section, and came across their antique silverware set! Each place setting is mis-matched, which honestly I loved, because it makes each place setting feel unique and slightly more personal.

Some of them match, some of them don’t, but either way they all add character. For me, it’s the character of the antique silverware that adds a personal touch to any tablescape. It’s unique, it catches the eye, and it’s not something you would typically use everyday, so incorporating antique silverware makes the occasional feel just a bit more special.

There are so many great places that you can find antique silverware both locally and online. My first suggestion would be to check your local thrift stores. Yard sales can also be a great place to find sets for a fraction on the price.

One of my favorite online places to shop for antique silverware is Etsy. You can search for sets or serving pieces, or even just antique silver, and get lost in browsing through all the beautiful ornate pieces.

Depending on your budget, or what style you might be looking for, there are so many options out there. I’ve even seen beautiful look alikes from bigger stores down to genuine found pieces, so I’ve gathered some of my personal favorites below, just in case you happen to be on the hunt yourself!