The Tune of the Spoon

The tinkle of tableware--ah, music to a cook’s ear. And a kind of music you can hear whenever there’s a bit of wind, if you get one of these wind chimes made from antique silver-plated ware. They’re designed to be hung indoors or out; polish occasionally with silver polish. Artist Ted Shields, by the way, is a retired FBI agent.

Culinary Chimes, $48 to $50, at Feast, Pasadena; Imp, Santa Monica; Z Galleria, Beverly Center; and Nordstrom, various locations.

Let’s Melt Sometime

Cheese fondue parties haven’t been a craze for about 30 years, but like evrything cheesy they’re said to be coming back. They’re certainly fun. And you could also use this fondue pot for dipping fruit in chocolate or just for keeping a substantial amount of sauce warm.

Chantal Fun Fondue Pot, $50, at most cookware shops.

In Your Lap

White linen napkins are correct for formal occasions, and paper will do for family meals, but at parties, something splashier is called for. These hemstitched linen napkins are generously sized (22x22 inches) and come in vivid colors like emerald, raspberry, orange and blue.

Lynn Chase Ballet Russe napkins, $16, at Geary’s, David Argell and Lucy Zahran, Beverly Hills; and Jimmy K’s, Westlake Village.