Can Someone Please Tell Me What This Is??

I'm hoping you smart bloggers out there can help with this small dilemma...

I've been collecting and selling hotel silver for over 12 years now and am completely stumped as to the use of this piece. It's been in my collection for many years and I plan on selling it. I love that it's from the Grand Hotel in Cannes, but what exactly is it?

This is a side view of the piece...It measures 5" in diameter (not including the handle) and 5" tall

This is a close-up of the handle that ejects the lid when pulled apart.

Inside the bowl is a spoon-like paddle that shifts across the bowl when the handle is moved. What would it be used for? Couldn't be coffee, tea or a juicer since the base has such large openings.

This is the base. It appears as if it rests on top of a glass, but again, why the large openings?

If anyone has any clue as what this piece is for, I would greatly appreciate your input!!

Thanks a bunch!

Sneak Peek: The Vintage Table

a most elegant table setting - Lucy & Tony Torres' home

Boy was I excited to receive my copy of the recently released book, "The Vintage Table," by Jacqueline de Montravel and the editors of Romantic Homes Magazine.

This book is a compilation of table and kitchen vignettes that are inspiring to say the least. Everything from old & new, to crisp & clean, family heirlooms to time-worn treasures, are compiled in such a manner that make you want to start planning a tea or dinner party just so you can set your table!

my dining room table (usually not that dressed up!)

I'm humbled to be included in this book! Better yet, to be alongside my friends Janet of FrenchBlue & Co., and Lucy Torres of My Paris Flea Market. And of course, the other amazing people with scrumptious homes and treasures!

a little more about me...

page 146 has my tips on collecting hotel silver...

I love this photo of Janet's collection of Laduree candy boxes under her gleaming chandelier...

...and Janet's prized Hotel Le Meurice cafe cup...(love it!)

How beautiful is Lucy's deck which overlooks the ocean in Southern California? The colors so soothing...the hanging grapes...so whimsical!

So, if you want to see the entire 224 pages of this book, you can purchase it here or here. Believe me... the photos are exquisite, and there are some wonderful tips on entertaining.

A BIG thank you to Jacqueline at Romantic Homes for coming here and patiently shooting my house!

photos from The Vintage Table

FOUND: Rare Hotel Silver from Hawaii

double-logo serving dish - Alexander Young Hotel

ALOHA! I just had to share my latest acquisition of hotel silver from the old Alexander Young in Honolulu, Hawaii. Hawaiian hotel silver is difficult to find, so I was thrilled to purchase a large collection from this old, extinct hotel. It was actually the first luxury hotel in Hawaii. Can you imagine what Honolulu looked like during the Victorian-era?

The Alexander Young Hotel was built in 1901 by Alexander Young, a Scottish-born Honolulu businessman who had made his fortune in sugar mills and as the General Manager of the Honolulu Iron Works. The hotel opened for business in 1903 with 300 rooms at Bishop and Hotel Streets in downtown Honolulu. The hotel was turned into an office building in 1961, and sadly demolished in 1981.

I just love the detail of these old pieces, such as this compote. The base has a fancy raised logo of the hotel, and the top rim is quite ornate.

Here is a close-up of the raised logo that grace these lovely pieces.

I'm also going to be adding a set of flatware from the "Hob Nob" coffee lounge located in the Alexander Young Hotel. What a cute name, right?

These pieces were made by Reed & Barton, date to the early 20th century, and are available here at Paris Hotel Boutique!

MAHALO!

photos from Paris Hotel Boutique

Just added...

Biltmore Hotel Toast Cover

Some unique pieces of hotel silver from my own collection, and a collection of early 1900's trophies. You can take a peek here...

Hope you're enjoying your week!!

80681189846895372

"The Babe" Dines with Hotel Silver

I love this rare photo of home run king, Babe Ruth and heavyweight boxing champion, Jack Dempsey, having breakfast at Ruth's residence at the Ansonia Hotel in New York City, 1927.

Photo courtesy of seth.com 1391371841155868633

Cleaning your Hotel Silver

I’ve had many people contact me about how to care for their hotel silver. It’s quite simple, in fact, you treat hotel silver pretty much the same as sterling or other silverplate.

Hotel Silver was designed for commercial use. It has several layers of silverplate, making it quite durable. It does, however, tarnish like all silver if exposed to the elements. By using your hotel silver regularly, it will slow down the tarnish process. Additionally, storing it in a closed cabinet such as a china cabinet or in felt pouches will slow down the tarnishing.

Here are some tips on caring for your silver:

• When you start to notice a brownish or yellowish film, it’s time to polish!
  
  
• My polish of choice is Hagerty’s Silver Foam. It comes in a white jar and the polish is a thick, chocolate-looking paste. It’s strong enough to polish your silver, but mild enough not to hurt it. Most hardware stores or large chain grocery stores carry it.
  
  
• Put on some latex gloves and lay down some paper towels or old towels. This way you can polish several pieces at a time.
  
  
• Rinse each piece of silver in warm or hot water to remove dust and dirt. Then, while the silver is still warm, dip a moistened foam sponge or soft rag into the polishing cream and spread the cream over the entire silver piece. Rub in a circular motion until you begin to see the tarnish coming off. Rinse the sponge or rag and continue to polish those missed areas until the piece is no longer tarnished.
  
  
• When the piece is tarnish-free, rinse again with warm/hot water and a mild soap to remove all the traces of polishing agent.
  
  
• Dry thoroughly with a very soft cloth to avoid water stains.
  
  
• Now your silver is bright and shiny! Use it! Entertain with it often and it will slow down the tarnishing cycle.
  

Additional Tips:

• Don’t forget to polish those difficult areas such as the handle and spout.
  
  
• Keep salt away from silver whenever possible, or wash salt residues away immediately after use.
  
  
• For an “aged patina," leave some of the tarnish in the crevices.
  
  
• DO NOT use Tarnix, chemical silver dips or the kitchen sink/foil/detergent/electroplate trick. This can damage your silver by removing a coat or giving it an almost white patina. Stick to the soft polishes like Hagerty’s or Wright’s Silver Polish.
  
  
• If you’ve purchased a piece of silver that's extremely black and tarnished, and you just can’t get the tarnish off using all of your elbow grease, it may require the service of a professional silversmith. They use heavy duty buffing and cleaning machines that bring your silver back to life.
  

7578963364341881156

Apartment Therapy House Tour ~ Lynn & Leif's Paris Hotel Home

Photography by Sandy

It's been awhile since I posted to the blog because we were so busy moving over to our new web site. Today our home was featured in Apartment Therapy Los Angeles House tours. You can click here to view the tour. Thank you so much to Grace Hsiu at Apartment Therapy for asking us to feature our home. You've been a gem! Special thanks to Sandy who gets the real credit for taking such fabulous photos. They are wonderful!7302769994109423049