Happy Shiny PeopleOur urge to make everyday...
Happy Shiny People
Our urge to make everyday objects cute and friendly hasn’t abated. From Alessi, the company that produced the all-conquering tea kettle of the ‘80s--the Postmodern bird whistle pot designed by architect Michael Graves--come more kitchen utensils with personality. We have to admit, the kitty-cat bottle opener with the sharp-toothed grin is pretty irresistible. Available at Barneys in Beverly Hills and at selected kitchenware stores.
Re Leaf
It’s a salad bowl that seems to come right out of the earth. The leaf-pattern ceramics from Malibu artist David Wulfeck are glazed in tones similar to the rustic colors of many Mission pottery pieces. We just like the fact that it makes salad look good. Available at Freehand on Third Street in Los Angeles.
PROJECT / Tabling the Green
Since St. Patrick chose the shamrock as the symbol of the holy trinity, it seems to be the only flower of choice for celebrating his day. Rather than sticking one large pot of shamrocks in the middle of your table for the centerpiece, scatter little pots--enough for guests to take home after brunch.
Because I like the way weathered pots look, I used a simple whitewash to give a patina effect to new pots. Using white primer paint gives a nice flat look, but any exterior white paint will do. Shamrocks should be available at nurseries. All the other materials should be available at any home center. You can use the same size pots or different sizes, staggering their heights.
You will need:
Oil-based white exterior primer
Thinner
1 paint stick
Rag
Clay pots with saucers
Potting soil
Shamrocks
White Spanish moss
To whitewash 8 pots and saucers: In a well-ventilated area, make about 1/2 cup of whitewash, mixing 2 tablespoons primer to 6 tablespoons thinner. Gather the rag in the center and dip the gathered end in the whitewash. Line up the pots and saucers and dab whitewash on each set, then immediately blot with the dry end of the rag. Repeat for each pot and saucer. The first set should be dry by the time you finish the last one. Repeat the process until you reach desired effect. Set out to dry.
To plant: Place a small rock in the center of the bottom of each pot. Cover with a small amount of potting soil. Remove the shamrock from its plastic container and place in pot. Pack soil around shamrocks to stabilize.
To arrange centerpiece: Arrange the pots on your table by staggering the heights--upside-down saucers and small containers work well. Allow 2 to 3 inches space between pots. Hide the bases by wrapping each pot with Spanish moss.