Tray Chic

There are so many good uses for a nice big tray, and we’ve just received a great selection of trays in the shop. Aside from the obvious use for carrying objects from one place to the other, here are some other uses for trays.

I have a metal tray like some of these, behind my stove. It’s pretty and when I am making a new recipe, I can stick it on the tray with a magnet and see it while I am cooking. I hung it with those amazing Command® strips, so I can pull it off every so often to clean it.

If you find a few trays that have a similar motif, you can hang them on your walls either with some of the Command strips, or with a pretty, heavy satin ribbon threaded through the handles.

I love using trays to hold candles. You can place the tray and candles on a table, or in front of a fireplace. It’s a great effect.

Do you have a collection? If the pieces are small enough, like perfume bottles, snuff boxes or silver picture frames, you can gather them on a tray and place it on a table top.

A more “serious” tray like this one might find a place on top of a leather ottoman, with a decanter of port and a few glasses, along with some high quality chocolates.

Our trays are chic and elegant, and we know that one of them will be happy to find a place in your house!

As always, if you see anything that interests you, please contact Eric at the shop!

Naked Ladies in Our Driveway!

It’s at about this time each year when we are visited by a group of naked ladies. They stand on the edge of the driveway in front of our shop, trying to be unobtrusive, but really showing off all of their glory.

You need to be quick to see them, as they don’t hang around for long.

Someone’s in the Kitchen!

With all of these cool evenings, it’s beginning to feel a lot like fall will be here before you can turn around again! But there’s still enough of summer left to have a few cook-outs, or dinner on the terrace. Of course, Halcyon House Antiques has just the perfect accessories for your entertaining needs!

We have raved numerous times before about our love for the amazing melamine wares that we carry. They’re perfect for poolside or terrace dining, as they will not shatter if you drop them. And to be totally honest, until you pick them up, they look exactly like the real thing!

What about some fun cutlery for the table? This is so chic for an elegant evening dinner under the stars!

If you are doing steaks, or a beef or pork tenderloin on the grille, there’s nothing better than these French-made Laguiole steak knives, and forks, tea spoons and dessert spoons.

Can’t you just imagine a yummy fresh tomato, mozzarella and basil salad in this gorgeous teak bowl with the pewter insert for a great balsamic vinaigrette?

What about a huge bowl of mixed melon balls, with a chiffonade of fresh mint?

And for dessert, some amazing cupcakes, served under this fabulous cake dome? Even if you buy the cupcakes, they will look terrific when they’re served this way!

As always, if you see anything that interests you, please contact Eric, and if you’re making the dinner I’ve suggested, invite him over!

Sale of the Week!

Have you noticed a pattern? We’re having a new sale each week!

Honestly, couldn’t she look a little happier? We’re having a sale here!

Sale of the Week!

If you are interested in our sale, please contact Eric at the shop!

This Week’s Summer Sale!

It’s not even the middle of July, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to wear one of our great tunics at the beach, over skinny white jeans or by the pool. And the tote all of your gear, and probably everyone else’s gear, we have… TOTES!

Re-Opening Promotion!

After a week off, we’re re-opening on Tuesday, July 8th with a special week-long promotion.

And Eric is back from the beach. He’s all tan, rested and ready to help you find what you’re looking for at Halcyon House Antiques. Be sure to admire his tan when you see him!

Happy 4th!

Eric needs to work on his tan and sitting at the pool just isn’t cutting it. We’re taking this week off so he can bask in the sun and get a George Hamilton quality tan. Be sure to tell him how good he looks when he gets back. I know he’ll thank you!

Scarf It Up!

Who says you can’t wear a scarf in the summer? Not us! We think that summer scarves are an essential item in your wardrobe. Even thought it’s hot outside, most buildings keep their thermometers at Arctic temperatures, so you’re glad to have something to throw around your shoulders. Personally, I can not stand it when the back of my neck gets cold. Literally, it sends chills down my spine. So having a chic scarf to wrap around my neck is the perfect solution.

Our scarves come in a wide range of colors and materials. From the lightest weight cashmere to cotton and linen, we have a scarf that will keep you cool in the summer air-conditioning.

As always, if you see something that interests you, please contact Eric at the shop!

A Country Garden at the Cusp of Summer

It’s no secret that Stiles and Jonathan have a spectacular garden, and on a recent Saturday, Jonathan gave me a tour, which we’re sharing with you. It was a perfect day, sunny, with some fluffy white clouds scudding across the sky. There was a nice breeze and it was in the 70’s. We were accompanied by darling Sophie, whom you can see below.As we walked in from the drive, one of the first things Jonathan pointed out were some great old urns filled with a variety of flowers and plants.

A little bit further along, there was another massive urn with a huge yucca plant in it. At this point, I should probably mention that Jonathan is an amazing gardener and he and Stiles have an impeccable eye for how the gardens should be laid out.

As we wandered into the main gardens, Jonathan pointed out the parterres that will become the cutting garden later in the summer. There were dozens of dahlias grown from tubers that are waiting until some hedge trimming is done to be planted.

Jonathan knew I had paid an outrageous amount for peonies last week, so he offered to cut some of theirs for me! They have two rows of white and hot pink ones, which were just at their height.

In addition to growing flowers, Stiles and Jonathan also grow a wide variety of vegetables, including tomatoes, squash, beans, chard and lettuces. All are arranged in tidy tows with straw and hay between the rows to keep down on the weeding and to conserve moisture.

There are also copious herbs including these chives which have just gone to flower.

Stiles and Jonathan also have fruit trees, which they have espaliered in the traditional European style.

The trees alternate pear and apples, and you can just see the fruits which have formed on this tree.

I was playing around with my camera and captured this panoramic view of the vegetable gardens.

As we headed back towards the house, I captured some more images.

Gorgeous purple clematis

Last year’s gourds on a trellis, waiting for this year’s plants to grow.

Another urn, this time with a banana plant

A cast iron bench tucked in below the stone wall and old hedges

Outside the kitchen of the house is a small shaded patio which brims with plants and flowers!

One of the spectacular pieces is this tree fuchsia. While commonly seen in hanging baskets, these trees make a stunning showpiece in the patio.

Another stunner was the espaliered tree against a plain wall. This is a great technique if you don’t have room for a huge spreading tree.

Thanks to Jonathan for the tour of the gardens!

Fathers Day!

I am sure that you’ve remembered that Fathers Day is this coming Sunday, June 15th. And Halcyon House Antiques has just what he wants in our Gentlemen’s Room on the second floor. Here are some suggestions!

Has your father carried the same wallet for decades? Maybe it’s time for a new one. We have a gorgeous croc-patterned leather wallet that he will be happy to carry!

Does he carry around a lot of things? Maybe he lugs stuff down to the boat or out to the barn. Our waxed cotton bags are perfect for schlepping!Their leather handles and bottoms make these bags super durable.

Is your father the elegant type? We have a beautiful selection of silk pocket squares to go with any mood that he’s in.

Would your father ever wear a scarf thrown insouciantly around his neck? We have some beautiful equestrian-themed silk scarves for him.

We have a selection of antique cufflinks from the UK, and great key fobs with dogs!

Does your father like to grill outside? We have the perfect plates, glasses and cutlery, all of which are perfect for eating outside, because they won’t break!

Regardless of what type of dad you have, we have just the perfect thing for him!

As always, if you see anything that interests you, please contact Eric at the shop.