WELCOME to CAROLINA PANACHE! I believe our homes should be a haven, a place of beauty and peace that reflect who we are and what's important to us. I'm on a journey to add personality and panache to every corner of my house. For me, good design evolves, grows and changes with the needs of one's lifestyle. I want my home to be creative, to be stylish, to be entertaining, to be real. I hope you will join me on my journey. It's always more fun to travel together.
This blog is all about bringing style and elegance to the home. The art of dressing your home goes beyond hanging a few items on the wall and arranging furniture. Much like a fabulous set of earrings or a new stylish handbag may take your little black dress from fine to fabulous, home accesories and key furnishings can take your rooms from ho-hum to singing the Halleluiah Chorus! Join with me as we discover new ways to add panache to every room of the house.

The Winner Is....and a look at a Collection from the Past

I'm back! Sorry for the down-time. I had a few "unexpected" delays hinder me from posting yesterday. First, I want to announce our WINNER of the $100 Gift Certificate to Home Interiors! The winner is........
MELISSA MILLER at MELISSA'S HEART AND HOME!
CONGRATULATIONS, MELISSA!
Please email me so I can obtain your address and give your all the wonderful details about how you can use your $100 gift to purchase lovely home accents!
Now, I had promised to share a special collection with you. This collection is very near and dear to my heart because it was inherited from maternal Grandmother, Mary Catherine.
Have you ever heard of MILK GLASS? Well I had not until my Grandmother introduced me to it when I was a young teenager. I used to spend weeks out of the summer break with her, helping her cook and garden. It was such a wonderful time. I always admired the pretty white dishes, cups, serving bowls and vases she kept on display in her kitchen. When she passed away in 2002, she left this collection to me. I don't think it's worth very much as I can not find any distinguishing marks or names on it, but due to the sentimental value it's priceless!
This is a punch bowl set that originally came with 10 cups. Grandma always used this at Christmas, New Year's and Grandpa's birthday dinner. Somewhere along the way one of the cups was broken.
The punch bowl is a two-piece set. The bowl sits on top of a detached pedestal.

I love the delicate pattern and the tiny scallops along the rim of the bowl. This is the bowl turned upside down in order to see the details. The bowl can also be used as a serving bowl since it has a ring at the base to balance it on the tabletop.
Oops! Forgot to rotate this picture...okay just tilt your head a bit. ; )
This it the detachable base.
This is one of the punch cups. It has the same delicate pattern as the bowl. So pretty! Just looking at all these old pieces made me get a little melancholy. My Grandma was an incredible lady. Talk about a cook! She made everything from scratch. She had a recipe for a Banana Cake that she coated with a meringue. I've never seen or tasted anything like it! Unfortunately, she didn't write down her recipes and it has been lost. My Mother and Aunt have tried to remember the ingredients and measurements but something just isn't the same.

Isn't this platter pretty? I just love the open scallop design. This was the only platter she would use to serve her Easter Ham.

I like to place it on a plate stand and display it for decorative purposes.

Several of her serving bowls were the same pattern.
An embossed cluster of grapes and grape ivy leaves.
Here is a closer look at the pattern. You can see the grape clusters clearly here.

The serving dishes were in various sizes, some on pedestals, some footed, all of them beautiful.

In the picture below, you can see a different pattern of what looks like an oak leaf.
I am thinking of designing a trio of floral arrangements for my dinning room table in these. Something light and springy just in time for Palm Sunday and Easter. Maybe some pretty daffodils or tulips. Hopefully my bulbs will bloom and be plenteous this spring.
In this picture, you will see my favorite three pieces - an elegant pedestal fruit bowl and two matching candle holders. You can you tapers or place votive cups in the holders for a different look. Wouldn't this look lovely with an arrangement of soft peachy-pink roses and lilies for a nice dinner party?
These two vases are smooth and creamy. The only details are the flared tops and a raised band of vertical detailing just below the rim.

Here is a fun assortment of bud vases - only two alike in the lot. I envision using these with single stems of Gerbera Daisies in bright shades of Red, Orange, Yellow, and Pink this summer for a Garden Party on the back deck.

Whatever purposes these cherished items serve this year, I will always remember them in Grandma's house, on her table, filled with delicious, homemade food seasoned with the kind of love that only Grandma's can add.
My next mission is to find a cabinet worthy to display these priceless memories.
Until then,
Happy Decorating!
~Alisa















13 comments:

Melissa Miller said...

~WOW~ Alisa!
I am completly and totally amazed.
What a wonderful surprise!
Thank you so much!

I will e-mail in a few minutes.
~Melissa :)

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

Congrats Melissa!

Beautiful milkware~! Fond memories of your grandmother too I am sure!

Melissa Miller said...

Hello Alisa, :)

I can't get your email to work for me. I click on it and it says error.
Let me know what you think.

I was so excited earlier I forgot to tell you how pretty your milk glass collection is. Love the scalloped platter as well.

Talk to you soon. ~Melissa

Alisa Lucas-Brown said...

Melissa,
Check the comments on your Tables post. I left my e-mail address for you there. :)
Congrats!
Alisa

Melissa Miller said...

I just emailed you. I hope it worked. I'm not sure what had happened before.

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

I LOVE milk glass & have a whole room full. But I odn't have anything as lovely as that punch bowl....it's fabulous!

Congrats Melissa!

Kathleen Ellis said...

What a lovely collection and wonderful memories attached! My m-in-law had quite a collection of milkglass...most of it found at thrift shops and tag sales.
Happy Pink Saturday!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh, what a fabulous collection. I have many things from my grandmother also, and they are so cherished. Your milk glass is so pretty. Thanks for sharing. and Congratulations to Melissa, she is such a sweetie. Marty

Carolina Mama said...

Congrats to Melissa! And It is just beautiful. Love your milk glass. I have always liked it. You have a great collection.

Did you know you can do that Southern Living thing and use a dry erase pin and write a cute message to your hubby and/or family right on the white plate on display. Really cute and then just erase. :) (practice on the bottom, I would hate to be 'wrong' since you're are antique). SHould be fine and fun.

Melissa Miller said...

HI Alisa, :)
Thanks so very much for visiting my first PS post. It's been fun!

Did you get my e-mail with my mailing address? I did send it to you last night but could not tell if it went through. E-mail me if you got it or leave me a comment.
Thanks, Melissa

"Blossom" said...

Alisa, I just love the items my grandmother has given me. It may not have a dollar price tag to others but to us is priceless.
These are beautiful and the memories that you have when you use to help her in the gardena dn cooking priceless also. Thanks, for sharing.
Blossom
What a wonderful person you picked to win your giveaway. Melissa Miller what a sweet heart.

Barb @ The Everyday Home said...

Alisa - what a wonderful collection, and ever so much more meaning coming from your grandmother. I have never seen a punch bowl that beautiful. I loved seeing all your pieces. I have a few pieces that were my grandmother's. I have the same plate. It's pretty to weave a ribbon thru the edge during the different holidays. :-) BTW, my whole family got sick right after I had my Pay It Forward Give-Away drawing, but you were a winner! (see my blog) Email me your address so I can send your goodies right out.
barbgarrettnc@yahoo.com
Talk soon and Congrats!, Barb

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Congrats Melissa!! Beautiful milkglass and memories to go with.
hugs ~lynne~

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