SHIPMENTS ARE STARTING TO ARRIVE!!!!

Tres bien!!! The first of the shipments from France and England, from my last buying trip have started to arrive! Check out the latest additions on the website! More will be coming in about 2 weeks, with the largest shipment in early June!
www.myfrenchchateau.com

The Golden Age of Hotel Silver!

Longing for the days of the Golden Age of Travel? Where one dressed up to travel the glamorous ocean liners, air planes and trains. And dining was just as elegant! Not everything has gone the way of high tech and disposable.... and you can easily have it in your own home!
As we move in more fast paced circles, Hotel Silver has also growing in popularity, as a reminder of days gone by. Dinner at the Ritz, sailing on the QEII......
Flatware, platters, bowls, domes and Champagne buckets, just to name a few items used by the famous hotels, trains, ocean liners used what we classify as Hotel Silver. It is the very heavy and highly plated serving items made for elegant but constant use. Most are much simpler in design than the silver plate we use at home. with usually just the insignia stamped on the edges. Heavier too, as it is made from a triple - plated base of nickel rather than copper or brass, so it will stand up to the years of commercial use. Most items date from the early to mid 1900's.
Hotel Silver will have a few nicks or dents from all of the years of use, but will also have a "whiter" look than sterling since it is plated with almost 100% silver. But taking care of it is so much easier....just wash in hot soapy water until the next time it's called into action! So you can use it everyday!
Visit http://www.myfrenchchateau.com/ for a lovely selection of Hotel Silver platters that you can use too. And take back the glamour of days gone by!

Brittany Boxes

From the Northern Province of France, the area of Brittany has long been a source and inspiration for one of the most collectible items in home furnishings! The typical Brittany old Farm House design was for used for decorating furniture of all shapes and sizes. In turn, these furnishings were reproduced in miniature for traveling salesmen's samples in the late 1800's.
Here, you can see just a few examples of the boxes, chairs, and cabinets...all in miniature!
The typical Carved Wagon Wheel design is surrounded by carved and pressed floral designs, turned open balusters and shell motifs. Boxes are usually made of dark Oak and stained even darker.

While a charming and useful accessory for decorating, it is not unusual to find collectors with hundreds of these lovely boxes! At My French Chateau, I have trouble keeping any in stock! And have standing orders from customers who buy all that I find on buying trips! Start your collection today too!

Let a Plate tell you a Story!

French transferware plates were quite often an editorial commentary as well as a look into the lives of both royalty and common folk! Whether the theme is about political issues, sporting, or society, each plate depicts a charming caricature of the era.
The story is told in traditionally black on creamy white with a decorative and one color border of various designs. Popularly manufactured by factories such as Luneville, Choisy and Sarregumines .These historical pottery plates date back to late 1800's to the early 1900's.They generally measure in sizes of 6 to 10 inches across.
Whether you choose a pair or an entire collection, these delightful plates make a wonderful decorative addition to any room! Be sure to visit the Chateau for a wonderful variety of plates offered! www.myfrenchchateau.com

Time for a Picnic! ~ French Metal Wine Bottle Carriers

Never let it be said that the French didn't have a way with being both fun and practical at the same time! Tres country French in it's primitive design these very old French Bottle carriers come from very humble beginnings to become one of the popular kitchen and picnic items around. I'm forever getting requests for them, especially during the summer months. Not just for carrying wine bottles alone, depending on the size, you can practically carry an entire picnic in one carrier! Leave it out on your bar or kitchen counter to hold your favorite wines throughout the year! What a charming conversation piece!

Most popular, and very widely found are the 6-bottle carriers. While the 4-bottle and 8- bottle are available to a certain degree, the very rare 10- bottle carrier in nearly impossible to track down! I, in all of my antiquing, have only be able to find 1!

When shopping for the carriers, pay attention to the metal banding. Because many have suffered abuse, bands may be loose. I check too, that the wooden handle is whole and sturdy.

I have just received a huge shipment from France and quite a few of these wonderful bottle carriers. Check out the website for your selection! And....Have fun with your carrier and invite me to the picnic! www.myfrenchchateau.com

Bienvenue! C'est la Vie ~ My French Chateau

Welcome to the life at My French Chateau! My French Chateau is one of the country's favorite websites for French and English Antiques! I find some of the most interestingly beautiful vintage and antique accessories for your own Chateau! Selecting from the vast antique fairs, brocantes, and flea markets in Europe, and bringing them home for your personal approval. This site is a supplement to the retail ~ wholesale website: www.myfrenchchateau.com. Here I will educate, enlighten and hopefully entertain you about the world of collecting and decorating with European antiques. Twice a month I will spotlight a particular vintage or antique piece with the History, Uses and Trends. I will also offer around Paris and London excitements. Lots of photos and announcements of my buying trips and special promotions going on at the website. Of course, I want your input and welcome your comments. Please visit often and bring a friend! The Chateau is always welcome to your visit! www.myfrenchchateau.com