Category: Entertain
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A Parisian Find: Hand-Embroidered Linens from Renaissance Paris
In the 8th arrondissement in Paris near the elegant Musee Nissim de Camondo, there’s a small shop devoted to hand-embroidered linens, like the ones the fashionable Camondos would have enjoyed during their heyday. And even though the space is small, you’ll quickly see why the Palais de l’Elysee (the official residence of the President of France), the Ritz Paris,…
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Returning to Laguiole … the Birthplace of the Classic French Pocket Knife
Thirty years ago, a group of knife-lovers in southern France were worried that the skills for making their traditional knives were going to be lost. After all, who still cared about bone-handled hunting knives once used by traveling shepherds in Spain? Apparently, Philippe Starck did. As did the French government, which recognized that these were irreplaceable…
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Video: The Lotus Layered Napkin Fold
Kim Seybert’s table settings are so gorgeous that you practically don’t even need food to have a party. Part of her secret is knowing how to add volume to her napkins. For the lotus layered napkin fold below, all you need are: 1) One organza napkin 2) One regular napkin 3) One napkin ring And…
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The Definitive Guide to Christofle Flatware
Founded in 1830, Christofle is the most renowned name in French flatware. Whether contemporary or classic, whether its contours are rounded or architectural, Christofle flatware is manufactured to exacting standards: Every piece of Christofle flatware must pass through 52 people, an impressive process known as “100 hands.” Amazingly, they’re also easy to use — every piece of Christofle…
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Alain Saint-Joanis: The Poshest Flatware Maker You’ve Never Heard Of
Wolfgang Puck knows his forks and knives. Same with three-star Michelin chef Pierre Gagnaire. As does, of course, the King of Morocco. And when each of these opened celebrated restaurants in the last few years, they all turned to Alain Saint-Joanis for custom flatware. This small, family-owned company has been making cutlery in La Monnerie-le-Montel…
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For Coffee Lovers: The Most Elegant Espresso Spoons Ever
If you own a Nespresso or a De’Longhi or a Breville, you can now up your coffee game with these new espresso spoons from Christofle, which come artfully encased in a drop-dead gorgeous presentation egg case. The silver option ($360) includes six silverplated espresso spoons, a polished stainless steel chest, and a dark walnut wood insert.
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Alberto Pinto: Dinnerware to Match His Interiors
First there was the red-eye to London. The customs and immigration line snaked around the terminal like a coiled serpent, lethargically moving in the early morning. Then there was the bumpy, stop-and-go rush hour ride into central London. But the moment you walk into The Lanesborough hotel, your jaw dropped. The dull, harried modern world outside…
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How to Create the Amazing $30,000 Met Gala Table Setting
What’s THE party of the year? Probably the Met Gala, held the first Monday in May at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York to raise money for their Costume Institute. It’s like the Oscars, but with more panache, since it’s all about fashion. Each year the event has a theme. Guests are encouraged to dress accordingly,…
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All About Anna Weatherley and her Handpainted Porcelain Dinnerware
Who is Anna Weatherley? Although she’s probably best known for her line of handpainted dinnerware, Anna Weatherley has had many careers: from arms dealer (yes, really!) to famous couturiere to setting up handpainting studios in Hungary. Eventually, she was even commissioned by First Lady Laura Bush to design a collection of china for the White House.
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How to Dine Like Royalty from Queen Victoria to Lady Diana
Were some people really born with a silver spoon in their mouth? When it came time to dining, and entertaining, royals didn’t just grab a quick bite to go. Every meal had to be worthy of a king, right down to the choice of the plates. But the favorite dinnerware of Europe’s royals and aristocrats might surprise you.