The Friday Five: Flatware

Does your flatware set have a history?

My everyday flatware (I am not mature enough to have a separate fancy set) is a hand-me-down set from my parents. My dad was working in Sweden for a while and he brought back this Boda Buffe cutlery set as a gift for my mom.

photo

The set has been in my possession for almost a decade and I still love its design. I’ve been in search of replacement pieces but I’ve been unsuccessful. I did, however, come across this ad from an Australian newspaper, The Age, from 1983. Fun! (I don’t have the stand, by the way.)

Boda Buffe Ad_May 3 1983_The Age_AustraliaBoda Buffe advertisement, May 3, 1983, in The Age

While I have no desire to buy a new flatware set anytime soon, it is still interesting to see what’s available in simple, sleek, and modern design. Maybe one day I will find it necessary to own more than one set.

lard--piece-flatware-set__0104599_PE251625_S4LARD flatware, $19.99 (on sale), Ikea

foster-flatware

Foster flatware, $25, Crate & Barrel

Vera Wang Wedgewood flatwareVera Wang Wedgewood flatware, $75, Macy’s

MoMa_Arne_Jacobsen_FlatwareArne Jacobsen flatware, $100, MoMa

sVilleroy & Boch flatware, $346 (on sale) 60 piece set, Macy’s

Update: My set looks a bit yellow in the photo but I can assure you the handles are very white. Also, my dad wanted me to add that he bought the set in 1980 in Stockholm.

20 Below: Spotted Dog

I wonder if you’re tired of me singing the praises of Ikea? The Swedish retailer has such wonderful items for less than $20 that it’s hard to resist featuring them in our 20 Below series. Today I’m a fan of this spotted dog – otherwise known as a dalmatian – which is part of Ikea’s soft toy collection.

Gosig Vovven soft toy dog, $7.99, Ikea

20 Below: Holidays at IKEA

Ikea is making it pretty easy for us to bring a good Jul (holiday season) into our homes this year (and every year, right?) what with its super selection of holiday items that are less than $20. For a very special edition of 20 Below, I am featuring not one but five great white decor items from Ikea that can be used during – and after – the holidays.

STRÅLA  7-armed candelabra, $19.99

BLOMSTER lantern $19.99

JULKUL pastry cutter, set of 6 $4.99

STRÃ…LA floor lamp, $16.99

JULFINT mug, $2.49

Images courtesy of Ikea.

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