May 2018

The marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle launched the 2018 wedding season!

I tuned in last week mostly to see Meghan’s wedding gown but I was delighted by the whole ceremony-so much thought went into every detail!

• My favorite photo of the couple taken on the steps of St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle after the ceremony. They look so natural, relaxed and happy.
• How beautiful and chic the Duke and Duchess of Sussex look—off to their evening reception in that fabulous vintage Jaguar. The car license plate with their wedding date!

Illustration by Amelia Noyes(@iamnoyes) on Instagram.                                

So, as traditional vows go…To Have and to Hold…whether gifts are given for the big day or just to help the newlyweds set up house here are a few suggestions from Ghent Antiques.

• Large porcelain fish tray with two matching soup tureens (one of the soup tureens with tray and matching ladle). Manufactured in Carlsbad Austria circa 1910.  The porcelain pieces are gold rimmed in European style with delicate green and pink flowers. The large fish tray would also make a beautiful cheese and cracker platter.
• The soup tureens can be made into matching planters as well. Price range $392-$1200. 

Just a note, Ghent Antiques has a Lay-A-Way option.  

Don’t forget to follow weekly estate sales for more items at estatesales.net va

Best wishes to the Duke and Duchess!

XO

Marjorie

Ghent Antiques/Spertner Jewelers

1440 Colley Avenue

Norfolk, Virginia

Phone: 757.623. 3311

Hours: M-F 10: -5:30 Sunday 1:30-4:30

Now that the rain has stopped and everything is lush and green again it is time to think about outdoor spaces!

Last week I wrote about minimalism as a decorating style that can be sadly unsatisfying. The same can be true about outdoor spaces that are too bare and come across as uninviting and impersonal.

Here are some things Dan and I picked out that can make your outdoor space inviting and a fun place. Love the Sheffield hot water urn that could double as a silver vase filled with flowers from your garden!

1. God of Grapes stone wall plaque $495
2. Artisan hand blown glass ball/Indoor or outdoor protected space $120
3. Large Asian design planter-turquoise interior (circa 1920) $625
4. Sheffield hot water urn/silver plate $495

Once you rethink your outdoor space and make some changes then sit back, relax and enjoy the season!

Ghent Antiques/Spertner Jewelers

1440 Colley Avenue

Norfolk, Virginia

Phone: 757.623.3311

Hours: M-S 10: 5:30 Sunday 1:30-4:30

XO

Marjorie

I read an interesting article in the WSJ by Michelle Slatalla /A Matter of Life and Décor. She was writing about minimalism and how it was not working for her.  In searching for answers, she asked advice from Professor Julie Irwin from the University of Texas who studies the relationship between buying things and happiness. It turns out research does NOT show that materialism makes people unhappy. As per Professor Irwin, “You might be unhappy if you try to substitute things for people but not unhappy if you just happen to like things.”

Once the author was at peace with this she set out to create a warmer and more personal home. “The goal was what interior designers call a layered-and-collected look.

This made me think about all the millennials who are taking a pass on their parent’s things. Why not take a second look at the stuff and perhaps personalize your space with some selected pieces? To all the baby boomers who are ready to downsize-If you have a surplus of good things you can take them to a place like Ghent Antiques and/or do an estate sale.

This week Dan and I selected three items that could make a home look warmer and more personal.

1 & 2. I really love the white damask Stickley sofa. For those of you who don’t know-Gustav Stickley (1858-1942) was an American furniture manufacturer. Stickley led the design movement for the American Craftsman style, that we still love today!

3.  Also, I really the like this pair of large marble lamp pieces with brass bottoms. The combination of the warm tones in the marble and the brass sculpture adds architectural details that are so often missing in a room.

4.  Lastly, the newly recovered French chairs would be so charming in a living room or bedroom.

Come on in to Ghent Antiques and see for yourself!

Ghent Antiques/Spertner Jewelers

1440 Colley Avenue

Norfolk, Virginia

Phone:757.623.3311

Hours: M-S 10-5:30 Sunday 1:30-4:30

XO

Marjorie