Do you ever get hit with the whole, ‘I’ve been here before; done this before’ sensation? Yes! The deja vu thing which can be welcoming or creepy depending on what the experience. I, for one, love it as it stirs the imagination into trying to envision in what life this happened! And that’s a whole entirely different story which I won’t go into anymore except to say that it can be absolutely F-A-S-C-I-N-A-T-I-N-G; especially when chatting with someone who really has a grasp of the concept. Guess I’m just a bit of a sponge and like to soak up all the knowledge I can

Anyhoo, the whole point of my lengthy prattle is because this happened to me yesterday. I was lunching with DL and when we walked into her dining room I got the most incredibly strong sense that I had done this before and had seen her silver-set-traditional before. But here’s the spooky bit (hello Casper ) there’s no way I could have! DL lived on the other side of the States to me so I never went to her home and I hadn’t seen her since she moved to Australia! Scary, but totally enthralling right!

So before I knew it, one thing led to another and I was off on a tangent of reminiscence over superbly set traditional tables, most usually adorned with the silver but then, not always

Don’t you just hanker sometimes for the comfort of this throwback security blanket look? And when was it decided it was old fashioned stuffy? Oh! Betting it was the swinging sixties when the age of disposable was introduced (and I’m thinking that would be the 50’s in the States … Anyone???)

Tinerate, whilst the formal silver set has been out of vogue for sometime … (Ooo, maybe that’s who decided the silver set table was too formal for the modern lifestyle? Anna Wintour? Maybe a bit before AW’s reign but she’d have the answer I’m positive!) … I have witnessed it cautiously making a hesitant comeback at various functions, many that did not predictably evoke a damask, china and silver aura. Love it!

And when using the family heirloom silver and china, there is no need to agonise over adornments for the tabletop; the silver most usually stands alone. But if ever in doubt, try a simple candelabra (or even simpler, a trio of single candles!) and wham!  instant fabulous

Anyhoo, I think there is a place and time for everything (well, mostly ) and I’m all for the good old upper crust chin chin formalities that can come with bringing out the ‘good’ silver; but then, I am happy to use a silver fork at a beachside barbie. Just don’t ask me to eat with my fingers

Till next time.

Tipsy Pipsy xo