This weekend, Jaithan and I were visiting friends up in Hyde Park, New York, right along the Hudson River, not too far from where I went to culinary school.
For years now, one of my favorite places to go antiquing every time I
visit the area is The Hyde Park Antiques Center, a sprawling,
multi-dealer operation with lots of great stuff at reasonable prices.
As soon as I walked in, I saw this gorgeous chandelier, a 1950s reproduction of a French antique. How pretty would this be in a foyer or sophisticated master bedroom? With Thanksgiving just around the corner, this piece would also make such a striking statement over a dining room table, don't you think?
Even more striking would be a table set with these beautiful black, yellow and white transferware plates.
When I turned them over to check out the markings, my jaw dropped: Tiffany and Co! Can you believe it? I wish there had been an entire set! They really would set the most incredible table for an elegant autumn dinner party.
This Spode leaf dish is actually quite similar to one I already have. In fact, I just used it for a fall dinner party a few weeks ago. Now that I've started a new collection, I'm hoping to find enough to do a grouping on the wall. I think they'd be so stunning in a dining room, don't you?
This platter totally reminded me of the black and white transferware one from last week. Both have that Asian-inspired pattern of bamboo and cherry blossoms. For the holidays, how perfect is this piece for serving something super elegant, like Pomegranate-Glazed Duck Breast?
Antique linens are such an easy way to change up your holiday table settings. I loved how much pride this dealer took in their collection. Each bundle of napkins was tied with a ribbon in a coordinating color. What a great hostess gift!
A box of silverware, and oh how I love to dig!
Check out what I found! Serving forks and a carving set perfect for adding vintage charm to a Thanksgiving table.
This large wooden bowl I loved for its scale. How great would this be for serving a delicious wild rice at Thanksgiving? The dark wood tones would really complement the colors in the rice. Talk about vintage charm!
I'm such a huge fan of vintage Fire King, and this polka dot punch bowl totally reminded me of a set of nesting bowls I have. In fact, ebay has a few right now. For a holiday party with plenty of retro charm, this piece would be perfect for serving brandied egg nog (emphasis on the brandy), don't you think?
Pair it with these adorable red and white checked napkins that Jaithan found and it's a match made in heaven! Or at least Hyde Park!
Every great holiday table needs a centerpiece. My advice? Keep it simple, so as not to overwhelm the eye with too much. Here's one idea using this etched crystal centerpiece bowl I found. The top part I'd fill with flowers; the bottom, fruits and nuts. Come Christmas, sugared fruits are especially beautiful because they look like frost!
As a chef, I adore vintage tins and cookware, so this old copper mold with a pretty spiral design definitely stood out. After its polished, what a perfect vessel for a Thanksgiving centerpiece. I'm thinking burgundy and orange dahlias, perhaps some bittersweet. What about you?
It's not often you find an entire punch bowl set, and even though this one's not super old, I still think it has a lot of charm. But punch bowls aren't just for punch! I'd use it for serving salad at a big holiday buffet. I can also see it on a pedestal table in a foyer, filled with a big beautiful arrangement of red and white variegated carnations, dusty miller and holly. With all that holiday entertaining you're planning to do, couldn't you use a little drama in your decorating?
For a less dramatic but equally intriguing centerpiece, this collection of glass vessels would be perfect. I know they look a little like glass Legos, but stay tuned—these Legos are going to make the most stunning holiday centerpiece!
Even though I was in holiday entertaining mode, I couldn't resist a couple of furniture pieces with knockout potential. First, check out this reproduction of an antique highboy. Personally, I don't care for the wood tone, but the lines I think are great. If it were up to me, I'd lacquer it high gloss black, line the drawers in velvet, then use it in a dining room for all my linens and serving utensils. How chic is that?
This old Chippendale-style wing chair I thought was great too. Sofas aren't the only slightly unconventional but totally interesting way of sitting around a dining table! A wing chair like this would be great, especially if it were updated with a fun, modern fabric, like this one from Rubie Green by my friend Michelle Adams.
So that was it for Jaithan and me, but just before heading out, I spotted this basket full of old wall shelves.
Wouldn't they be great painted, then grouped together over a fireplace with a collection of, say, Japanese porcelain? I think collections are such an important way of adding a personal layer to any living space. What do you collect and how do you display them? I'd love to hear about it.
When I saw those transfer ware plates my heart almost stopped. They are so lovely.
I used to have two matching wing back chairs on each end of a small antique dining room table. It was so intimate and friendly. One recent Christmas Eve I had three very special people over and I served Oyster Stew (Mother served that on Christmas Eve) in huge bowls. It is one of my favorite memories.
Since moving to smaller quarters and down-sizing drastically I now find myself without Christmas dishes. My answer is to purchase several rich red bowls and deep sage green salad plates to layer on my off-white plates. Don’t you think that will take care of the need for special holiday dishes!!!
I collect dust.
You have some really great ideas. I especially like your ideas for the punch bowl and the old copper mold. Those things are a dime a dozen around here and you’ve come up with some really creative ways to use them! Also, love the chandelier and how incredible the Tiffany transferware!
Hey sweetie!
Love this post!!!! What fun it would be to go “junkin” with ya’ll.
Hummm…maybe next time you get to Houston? 🙂 Because I am a Southern gal, and NEVER fly north for the winter!
xo…deb
You find the greatest places! I collect Fiesta Ware inspired planters. I love the old soft colors of muted pink and the greens are to die for! I also collect vintage radios. My personal favorite is playing NPR right now! Records are another great way to whip people up into the holiday mood!
Here I am – up early getting my Eddie Ross fix for the day- darn you’re addictive- Great post – cant wait to see that centerpiece!
We would love to hear the prices. Please come and visit http://www.adamsandcomer.com on our website, 1stdibs or our space at the Harborview Antique Center in Stamford CT. We love your antique jaunts!
A.
I love that highboy dresser! I am wanting to find some flat ware for our holiday dinner but the good will stores in Houston aren’t the gold mines they are in New York!
I collect antique cameras. I only have 4 right now but they are very special. I have 2 from Europe (one 1920 from France and one 1912 from England) and a small 1960s video camera and a 1960s still camera. I display them in our book cases that stretch across the back wall in our office. Not sure what I’ll do once I have a full fledged collection going!
I LOVE the etched crystal – so elegant!!
I was looking for something to hang up in my tiny kitchen – now you’ve inspired me to look for a plate!!
My galley-style kitchen is all white with black knobs (I’m not fond of the knobs…). The one great feature is my wooden chopping block-style countertop beside the stove.
Should I switch the knobs Eddie? Any suggestions as to how to brighten my kitchen with a plate of some sort (I don’t have much wall space in there!!)
How in the world do you come up with these things. I can’t even pick out a pair of curtains.
Eddie you’re an inspiration given from God himself! My dining room table for Thanksgiving is going to be beautiful. XOXOXOX – XOXOXOXO
wow..you are obv very knowledgable about your ‘treasure finds’…thanks for the info and love to see what items you think are great..makes our ‘flea-ticking’ so much more fun too! xo
Brings back old memories. I used to always stop there when upstate for the Rhinebeck show.
I see a warehouse in your future.
♥Rosemary
I’m going to give some thought to using my punch bowl for something other than punch. Thanks for the idea.
I really enjoy reading about your antique hunts.
Eddie, that looked like a fun outing & totally up my ally too. What a treat to walk around looking at all those treasures. Furniture always catches my eye too. I collect white creamware pieces & have them grouped on white wall shelves in my red DR & they do make quite a statement. I’m always on the lookout for more. Mine aren’t the expensive ironstone, but just the yardsale/thriftstore variety & they still look pretty.
You have wonderful ideas!
Such an eye for treasure hunting! The wooden Bowl, punch bowl set and wall shelves are my favorites! I would put some of my blue and white collection on the shelves.
I couldn’t wait to see what you and Jaithan were doing this weekend. I am never disappointed with you two. Loved the shopping trip.When I saw the pict. of you digging in the box of silverware, I laughed, you should have seen me at Salvation Army in a box about 4 times that size, I emptied it into other boxes and found some bakelite. See how you have influenced me. I also found some great linen napkins. I love the inspiration you have given me, I am having so much fun and my life is becoming more beautiful because of YOU.
Hi Eddie,
You have inspired me to go out to my favorite antique shop today. In this area we dont have the history of NY so notalot to chose from. I lve collecting yellow ware and whie bowls. I also have some wood bowls as well. I have no problem putting them in the most visible area in our home and adore the shine and history. I have a built in next to the fireplace that the are in. You are such an inspiration, thanks for sharing your ideas.
I love the funky finds too! So much fun to take a traditional items and tweak it. I found an old Victorian wrought iron bird cage at a cool estate sale here on Nantucket. It was this moss/rusted green shade…really great! I took it home and hung vintage German glass Christmas ornaments on the inside with clear fishing line. It looks so gorgeous with the floating little jewels inside. I always try a new trick at Christmas time. I love the idea of the large wooden bowls filled with vintage glass ornaments. Great find Eddie 🙂 you inspire every week.
Christie.
I went up to Hyde park last weekend and the leaves were amazing. I wish I would have known about the antique center though because it definitely would have been a stop on my list. Thanks for sharing. And a little tip, I live on the UES and I discovered there is a mega goodwill on 125th and 3rd. You probably already know about it, but if not I bet you could discover some treasures there.
I’ve never been able to decide on what to collect… My mom collected owls. She was a Chi O in college and it just fit her. She had lots and lots. I never appreciated them when I was growing up, because I had to “dust” them. When she passed, I still didn’t have a clue and only kept 1. Now that I’ve grown, realized she had such great taste and style, my heart brakes that I didn’t keep more of them. Especially seeing as they seem to have made a little comeback as far as collecting goes. I’ve decided to start collecting them on my own as a tribute to her memory. I only have 2 added, but it’s a start. My taste runs more on the arty/deco style than a traditional looking owl. So, I wait patiently for my own parliment to form. Ohhh, and I do like to collect vintage aprons. I’d love to have a display somehow someday in a big country kitchen, either framed all on one wall, or hanging in some cool fashion.
What a fantastic place! I went to a barn/estate sale this weekend and know you would have died looking through this home’s porcelein and flatware collections. In multiples I’m saying!
Are Spode pieces marked? I found a vintage white leaf dish a few years ago at a sale and am curious about it now.
Candy
i hate material things and am a staunch minimalist but i am obsessed with looking at others’ collections, and thus my interest in your blog.
I love all of your finds and ideas!!! I collect Japanese vases and kimonos and am starting to collect serving pieces (using you and your advise as inspiration!!)…love the idea of using a wing chair at a dining room table:)
Did you go to the CIA?!
I love Hyde Park I visited when my sister graduated for the CIA. I’m pretty sure you are younger than her but what year did you graduate?
I love collections! I have had many in my life and when I’m done, I give them to friends that loved them. I have a collection of Mccoy pottery that is interesting. Any thing with a frenc twist. I love old eiffel towers-
I have to be careful stating my collections to family because if you get more than 3 around them, you starting getting that item for every occasion! My roosters grew to quite a collection- unintentionally.
In the picture of you finding the basket of old wall shelves there is a boxlike metal item, Do you know what that was? it was intriguing. Your posts are always so fun fact filled! Thanks to you and Jaithen for the efforts!
You always find the best stuff, Eddie. I can’t wait to see what you come up with for your Thanksgiivng centerpiece. I need some inspiration. 🙂
I spy some match holders on the wall in the first pic. Those remind me of my grandparents. 🙂 My great-grandfather owned a furniture store in Mass many moons ago, and he had some match holders with his store’s name on them. My grandmother always had it hung on the wall.
I’d love that chandelier in a bathroom!
Some of the best antiques and collectibles I’ve ever found have been in the Hyde Park area.
I loveeee your pictures and your ideas. I actually served a pseudo-trifle (a trifle that I jazzed up a bit) in a punch bowl, and used the punch glasses to set up a “self-serve” station. I think punch bowls are an overlooked, and reasonably priced, item people should definitely consider adding to their collections. Though storing that big hunk of crystal love is a bit of a challenge. 🙂
And what I would with that wing chair and some nail head trim. Ahhh…
Thanks for a post chock-a-block with great ideas!
Hey Eddie,
The chandelier is beautiful. But, the Tiffany & Co dinner plates are crazy beautiful! Did you purchase what was left of the set? I would have and just mixed them with other patterns. Too bad they aren’t in my area, I would have snatched them up. Thanks for taking us with you shopping.
In this crazy world where everything is tumbling upside down, your blissful fixation on such small but existential niceties as napkins wrapped in matching colored ribbons is charming. Believe it or not your columns are total fantasy relief for me. I can pretend through them that there are still wonderful people and things in the world. wonderful in the world.
Again you found the most wonderful treasures. I love the Tiffany dishes. Did you know Spode was going bankrupt? Soo sad.
I’m jealous.
It looks like somebody had a great time treasure hunting !
I have a picture of me as a toddler sitting in my grandmother’s punch bowl (sans punch). I believe it was a beautiful pink depression glass one. I have many church punch recipes that are a kick! I remember in college doing one of the punches (with a kick) and everyone stayed the night.
Hi Eddie! I am just getting around to checking out your site and I love it! I’m going to really enjoy digging thru your archives! It was so much fun to meet you in NYC at the Gourmet event and the MS offices. I think this store sounds wonderful, wish we had more places like that out here in CA. I would so buy that wooden bowl!
I want to adopt you so you can come over and help me fix up my boring kitchen…I’ll make you cookies!
You live in a much better neighborhood than I do, I never see this kind of stuff second hand! I need to move!
Have a great day, and I am serious about adopting you!…lol
Eddie,
First, that punchbowl set would be FAB with Martha’s Classic or Chocolate Eggnog in it!
Second, I’d just like to comment about those beautiful Autumnal plates by Tiffany and Co. DO NOT put those in the Dishwasher and suffer the heartache I did when I found my beautiful set of Tiffany fruit pattern dessert plates devoid of their edge painting. My holiday guests demanded to do the clean up, and I forgot to mention it. I said absolutely nothing and never mentioned it, but I was crestfallen. Later the designs all started coming off. So remember! Those babies aren’t Corel!
Eddie,
I recently moved from the Hyde Park area to Texas. My boyfriend attended culinary school there and is now working for the CIA. I love your blog, and was feeling a little home sick for NY. It was a delight to see all the treasures you found in Hyde Park, as I drove by that store everyday when we lived in NY.
I love your blog and all the great ideas……thanks for the heads up on the fun red polka dot nesting bowls that are up for bid on ebay (I will be bidding on those puppies!) I collect lots of vintage red things!
Looking forward to more ideas from Eddie Ross!
Have a great Thanksgiving holiday!
Rochelle
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