What if I didn’t hold my silverware – okay, flatware – like a shovel at the ready to plow through a meal toute de suite?
There’s something deeply wrong with the way I carry out my dining aesthetic, I must confess. This grand admission had its unveiling through a gift of small proportions: Le Porte-Couteau. Courtesy of my darling younger sister who now lives French-side, these knife rests remind me that I have not been savoring the day’s journey with delight. A meal is a time to slow down, share stories, talk about roads less traveled or overly trafficked. Elsa Maxwell would have groaned, and I’m sure audibly, at my ostentatious displays of insignificance.
I am now in possession of a loyal set of Basset Hound knife rests that will, I assure you, be used on more than the rare special occasion. They will be used on the special occasion of the everyday.
Cheers to the art and craft of lively, daily entertaining!
Below is a selection of rests for those that enjoy the simplicity of the minimal to the prismatic light of the maximal (Cristal Baccarat). Amusez-vous. . .
12 Responses to “Visual Relish or Le Porte-Couteau”
I love knife rests. They are cultured. (those little rectangular ones, the last photo, are stunning). While trolling the antique market in Nice you can find so many of these kinds of items. I also like fish cutlery (something I learned about while living in Germany).
I collect loose odd pieces of silver cutlery. Those are what I use at the B&B. Some are from my great uncle’s failed French restaurant in Manhattan, which was called the Mascot, the pieces are inscribed. That was the day — when small restaurants had signature silver!
Using these things every day is part and parcel to living well. Here’s to the art of quality every day living.
Diana Strinati Baur´s last blog ..The Ceramic Series: Kiln Result Roundup
Love Elsa Maxwell, entertaining and your words “the special occasion of everyday!” Wonderful! Enjoy your special treat from your sister, and have a great weekend.
Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita´s last blog ..and now a little northern love …
To be perfectly honest, I didn’t even know they made these haha. They look great and are something to think about.
Scientific Housewife´s last blog ..My Top Beauty Products
I have many fond memories of markets I have visited in Europe, trawling for the odd and end silver server or specialty cutlery. It’s always in the small French villages that I come across the surprises.
I think I fell into the love for the stray pieces rather than a whole set when I received a gift of silver serving spoons with my name engraved on them. They, however, were made in 1830 and belonged to a relative who I never knew but we share the same name – and now a gorgeous set of serving spoons.
A meal comprised of thoughts like these is the only meal that really fills the spirit!
@Scientific Housewife I had a suspicion that not many of us knew about this treasure!
Lydia´s last blog ..Visual Relish or Le Porte-Couteau
Oh, I love these ~ and I must admit, as much as I adore collecting china, crystal and the pretty things — I too did not know that knife rests even existed! I always just rested it upon the edge of my plate. What an embarrassment!
These fit in with one of my favorite motto’s “Life is short, eat off the good china!”
Lydia, I suggest you use these even when you’re smearing peanut butter on toast in the morning.
Enjoy.
ABCD
ABC Dragoo´s last blog ..Bold. Gorgeous. {still crushing on gold accents!}
Oh I’d love little cutlery (flatware) rests, so cute and I do love a sit down with much chat over dinner.
I was very impressed with your created space for sewing machine. I need to do the same.
x
Make Do Style´s last blog ..Sew sew
Oh Lydia, this is sooo right. I love you selection and agree that everyday is a special occasion. I use all of my nice china on a daily basis =D Hey thanks for stopping by as always, and I am glad I could be of help the other day, the Errant Aesthete really is delightful food for the mind and soul.
Nuit
Nuit´s last blog ..The Honest Scrap
Everyday is indeed a special occasion. How dignified to eat in such a manner.
Angie Muresan´s last blog ..juicy stuff
Basset hound knife rests? How excellent! I am sure my Benjy (a looooooong dachshund) would also make a perfect model for a porte-couteau.
Mary-Laure´s last blog ..Around Sculpture
I do not own a set of knife rests – I need! Next week I will be scouring the internet for the perfect set.
Camberley, The Bella Life´s last blog ..Desperate Housewife… my boobie!
I confess I eat like a lumberjack. My significant other, who is nearly a foot taller than me, can’t keep up. Knife rests? I wouldn’t have considered it until ABCD had the brilliant peanut butter suggestion.
Which got me to thinking: mealtime really should be civilized, shouldn’t it. Life flashes past at such a frantic pace. Why not make every experience count?
Stacey Cornelius´s last blog ..Accidental social networking for introverted creatives, otherwise known as Twitter
We had a formal meal at boarding school ev.ery. night except Saturday. And my grandmother used to encourage me to eat as if I were eating with the queen every time (silly granny).
I’m mildly embarrassed to say that I pull that directive out of my hat every so often when eating with my children. However, the queen does not loom large enough for my half American tots. I must find them an appropriate icon (not from the Disney Channel).
Love the idea of your bassets!!
Miss Cavendish´s last blog ..All Ears