Silver is timeless and exemplifies luxury, therefore it will never go out of style. Whether your home is traditional or contemporary, silver always fits in because it is transitional. This means vintage silver pieces always have a place in your home.
The use of silver is considered neutral within home decor. This is because it can be paired with both warm and cool color pallettes. Silver reflects light; therefore, it gives off a sense of openness making for an inviting space.
I started collecting silver pieces over 15 years ago. It was easy to grow my collection because a lot of these items, such as platters, tea sets, serving utensils, trays, candy dishes, etc. could be found at flea markets, estate sales, antique shops, Goodwill, Etsy and Facebook Marketplace.
The reason we see a lot of heirloom silver when we are out thrifting is because these items were commonly given out as wedding gifts, just like crystal and fine china.
Silver serving ware was historically given to couples at bridal showers and at weddings because it symbolizes wealth and good fortune. Silver was a special gift reflective of a prosperous life together. For years to come happy couples could use the silver for dining, entertaining and to proudly display in their homes.
As I mentioned above, silver is timeless and transitional. Therefore, making it a perfect complement to any space. Using silver as a home accent will not only add an air of sophistication to any room, but it will also contribute to an eclectic atmosphere.
There are various ways you can use vintage silver in your home to up the elegance factor and keeps things interesting.
*Accessories: You can merely use your silver pieces as home accents or accessories to enhance any space. Meaning, they are specifically used for display purposes and not as something with a particular function, other than making an area more lovely.
Displaying platters and other various pieces throughout your home will add more dimension and make things looked refined. Silver items in your kitchen will add interest and old-world charm.
A beautiful tea set proudly displayed on your sideboard or entry table will not only look luxurious but will also be a conversation starter when guests come over.
I like to use my silver teapots and other vessels as vases. They work like a charm, and they also make the flowers even more beautiful.
*Entertaining: An obvious way to use your silver treasures, is for entertaining purposes. A Christmas gathering, bridal shower, brunch with friends, birthday party, etc. are all great opportunities to show off your collection and make things seem more elegant in the process.
A birthday cake placed on a silver platter never looked so good! Breakfast in bed Ritz-Carlton style, why not! Grapes in a silver bowl probably taste better than grapes served in Tupperware. Ha ha.
The items are meant to be used and are made specifically for serving and entertaining, so why not use them. They work perfectly for sweet tables, dinner buffets, Easter brunch, a champagne bar, Galentine’s Day soiree, etc. The possibilities are endless here.
Use your silver for what it was made for and have fun doing it! There is no such thing as too fancy in my book.
*Vanity: A lovely way to make use of your silver is to beautify your vanity or powder room. Silver vessels not only function perfectly to store make-up, brushes, soaps, and other toiletry items, but doing this will also make the bathroom look more luxurious and spa like.
A few silver accents in your bathroom will go a long way and will immediately transform the space into nothing but glamourous. I used a creamer for brushes, a toothpick holder for Q-tips and a sugar bowl for cotton balls. Did you ever think to decorate your bathroom with teatime accessories? Try it and see how stunning it looks.
Give your make-up area a makeover with some silver accents pieces. It will add both richness and personality to your workspace. Or it could be as simple as placing a decorative bar of soap, a towel or a vase of flowers on a silver platter to add a bit of glam to your half bath.
*Holiday Decor: Another great way to showcase your silver heirloom pieces is by incorporating them into your holiday decor. Silver platters, tea pots, champagne buckets and other vessels are a great enhancement to the already festive seasonal decor. Doing this will also make your Christmas decorations look more upscale. A little more shine can make a big impact.
Average Christmas tree bulbs will instantly look more expensive if set upon a silver tray.
Some greenery or a small Christmas tree placed in silver champagne bucket will look quite grand. Same with other accessories for that matter. Try placing a reindeer, nativity set, Christmas village, etc. on a silver platter or tray to add some pizazz to your decor.
Doing this adds more texture to the scene which creates visual uniqueness.
I hope this post both inspires and motivates you to step out of your comfort zone when it comes to using silver heirloom pieces. Don’t just let them sit in your attic to collect dust. Use these stunners to deck out your home and entertain guests with.
To keep silver beautiful, clean and shiny, I recommend Wright’s Silver Cream, TARNX and silver wipes. Links are provided below:
- Wright’s Silver Cream – https://amzn.to/3KF2HqK
- TARNX Tarnish Remover – https://amzn.to/42pBPBi
- Weiman Silver Wipes – https://amzn.to/4nJU5hg
If you are interested in other posts about antique silver, then check out How to Create Displays with Silver – Spring Elegance Edition, How to Create a Champagne Bucket Christmas Tree and
Happy Collecting and Happy Decorating!
