Nov 30, 2010

Pree's Giveaway

Blogged about pree's giveaway >>here


Nov 29, 2010

Friday Finds - Shhhhh....

This week's find has an off beat name. :-)...hence the teaser!


I came across a shiny piece of kitchen utensil (so i thought) in a small thrift store and loved it. I clicked a few pictures with the shop owner's permission...and came back home to research about it, not knowing where to start, the picture went into my folder and lay there for a while. And then I saw this ad on craigslist and was thrilled to know the name of this mysterious kitchen utensil. It is called the Silent Butler. Funny name isnt it. The purpose of this kitchen accessory wasnt that funny though..:).. Before you laugh it off...you should know that these pieces are priced anywhere between $100 to a few thousand depending on the period, make, material used and the amount of work done on them :-)

craigslist

Silent butler??
A small receptacle with a handle and hinged cover, used for collecting ashes and crumbs.
(source: yourdictionary.com). 

Interesting isnt it!...How about looking at a few other silent butlers :)

A truly unique piece of sterling silver to add to your collection, this is it! Made by Tiffany and Company

replacecments.com

Antique European Silver Silent Butler engraved with a pretty floral motif and trimmed with a figural scroll border. 

The silent butler sits on four claw feet and the hinged opening displays a charming shell finial. And the lovely ivory handle adds an exquisite touch! The silent butler derives its’ name from the concept of decrumbing a table with the presence of a hovering bultler. Charming indeed! A suggested modern day use- fill it with candy or nuts and place it on a coffee table. source: nelsonandnelsonantiques.com

This piece was made in Italy circa 1935/40. Comes with an ivory handle 
silvercollection.it

How about a beautiful porcelain silent butler in the Kalk style. Rose & gilt floral pattern w/ moriage detail. Features Victorian style brass hardware & design
ebay



Another antique heavy gold gilt hand painted silent butler that is marked Royal Crown hand painted and numbered, but I can't quite make out the entire number. It has lovely floral either rose or apple blossom sprays and brass findings. It is in good working condition and has no chips and no cracks and very little wear. It measures 10 inches long and the thumb handle measures 4.5 inches tall overall. It has gold decorations inside on the bottom

cyberattic.com


There are rectangular box type ones as well. This piece has enamel work done on it.

worthpoint.com



Craftsman style hammered finish, in copper 



coppertolane.com


It is said that apart from silent butlers, hostess also used a crumb tray to collect food crumbs..Trays and silent butlers were paired with a brush...exquisite isnt it!


Edwardian style crumb tray and brush
carters.com


I love finding such amazing kitchen, furniture and utility pieces...Let me know your thoughts..and you are welcome to share such vintage finds to be featured on the design enthusiast!

Nov 23, 2010

Of Peacocks and Paisleys announces a Giveaway - Yay!!!

Gagan from  - Of Peacocks and Paisleys has announced a CSN gift card giveaway. She is a super cool, ultra hep blogger who makes me smile (believe me ..its tough to get me to smile :))...with her posts! Her blog is among most popular ones and thats quite an achievement given that she started blogging in June 2010. Its her great writing style, immensely positive vibe and pleasing personality that has her readers hooked to her blog.


Gagan, Dear I admire you for all that :)

Link to the giveaway >>Here
What you need to do? (quoting from her blog)

Four entries per person (extra entries will be culled). Leave a new comment for each enrty. Giveaway open to U.S./Canadian residents. Residents of other continents---You may still enter for a loved one in the U.S./Canada. The winner will be announced on December 1st, just in time for the holidays!
Entry#1: Leave a comment with a link to your pick from the CSN website.
Entry#2: Follow P&P and leave a comment. If you're already a follower, just leave a comment so it can be counted.
Entry#3: Spread the word---Blog about it and leave the link in an additional comment.
Entry#4: Facebook/tweet about the giveaway and leave a comment.


All the best folks..

Nov 22, 2010

Aarohi - An Artist and her Exhibition in Bengaluru


I have been following Aarohi and her art blog for a while now. You can read more about her wonderful art work and about herself on her website and blog- Art by AarohiGagan's blog - of Peacocks and Paisleys did a wonderful profile on Aarohi >>here and also check out Aarohi's guest post on The Key Bunch. 


Her website and blog






And now, good news for Bengalurians (aka bangloreans)....Aarohi's latest work is on exhibition. Cool isnt it!!...I recommend the exhibit to every art lover. So do take time out and visit with friends and family...there is something for everyone to appreciate!!...Here is a sneek peek into her work

And now more about the exhibition...



When:
25 - 28 Nov, 2010


Where:

PageTurners Bookstore 

#89 Kannan Building, MG Road, Bangalore

Timing: 11am - 8pm


Take a look at her lovely poster!!



All pictures and screenshots: courtesy Art by Aarohi



PS: A detailed artist profile coming soon on The Design Enthusiast...:)

Nov 21, 2010

The Week that was :-)

I joined a blog party via my food blog and then made new friends...cool na!.



then moved a few plants indoors..(brrr! its getting cold outside), 


and clicked a few pics of a cute pair of candle stands I bought for a very dear friend...:-)



..And thgt id join in pattyz weekend wrap up series. (Need to congratulate her on a successful week 7 wrap up)..so here i go...:-)..




you should join in too. Have a great week and do stop by for a few more interesting posts coming your way via all my blogs..:-)

Nov 18, 2010

Friday Finds - Gossip Bench (A reintroduction!)

I had written about this furniture piece in a previous post back in the month of April 2010. It just got lost in the pile. I decided to reintroduce this fascinating furniture piece as a Friday find. I appologize for the repetition but wanted to rejuvenate reader interest on some previous research. :-)



I recommend that you read through my previous post and let me know what you think>> Gossip benches. I tried my best in mentioning about various furniture styles via this post. 

Nov 17, 2010

Indya Kaleidoscope - Annouces a Giveaway

Announcing a super cool Giveaway!! If you love Indian Handicrafts, then this giveaway is just for you.

Preethi, who blogs at Indya Kaleidoscope, has announced a giveaway on her blog...I would recommend each one of you to enter it. It is a lovely wooden elephant with copper and brass accents. I have fallen in love with that little guy..I am sure you will too. So rush over to Preethi's blog and enter the giveaway. Just follow a few simple instructions.. Bloggers and non-bloggers are all welcome...


I have put in my comment for the chance to win., you should too..:)..Wishing you all the very best

PS: If you havent found the link in the post already...go via here >> Indya Kaleidoscope

Nov 14, 2010

Friday Finds...Mate` pot & Bombilla

On a recent trip a local Antique market, I came across this exquisite piece. It was a tiny gourd, scopped out and dried, and then decorated with silver. It came with an equally beautiful silver straw with a unique filter at one end. Although I have seen use of scooped out gourds as kitchen and decor accessories, I was fascinated by this pot like piece and decided to feature it as a Friday find. The gourd part is called the Mate pot and the straw is called Bombilla...:)


pic: wiki

Here is how the straws look...beautiful isnt it!!
Pic: timepassagesnostalgia.com

I saw a few pieces with really elaborate work and carving, both the pot and the straw...sigh!!

stylehive.com


mexicowoods.com

Bombilla!!
silvercollection.it

This pot is a classic South American pot /cup  used to serve a special drink called Yerba-Mate.(read more on wiki)...Yerba Mate is a traditional South American drink made by infusing leaves and twigs of a yerba mate plant. From what I read about Mate, I understand it is like our traditional Indian Chai and is said to be a drink enjoyed with friends. (nice!!)..The dealer also mentioned that people in South American countries still prefer to be served this mate and pref in a mate pot. Cool isnt it!!

Read more about this beautiful piece of South American cultural heritage >>here

Nov 8, 2010

Happy Festivities

I hope all of you had a wonderful diwali. Thank you for all your wishes and a special thank you for being a part of my blogging journey. I have vowed to be more frequent with my posts and do my best in terms of researching about vintage, old and new in the world of home and design. 

Here is to a wonderful year and for the best of what ever is remaining of 2010 :-)

I take this opportunity to thank each one of you who stops by the design enthusiast and shares their idea via comments and suggestions. Lots of love!! 
adding pinterest script 3. Changing the Position of the Pin it! button The cool thing about this code is that you have some freedom over where the Pinterest button for Blogger will go over the image. Take a look at the code that you just copied and pasted into the HTML for the word 'center'.