Add some sparkle to the decor at home with silver artifacts:

Silver is a metal long appreciated for its beautiful colour, malleability and elegance. Due to its adaptability to various forms it can be used as an item of functionality or beauty. The range of silver to adorn or outfit a home is endless. Variations of this metal is the oxidized finish, brushed that gives a textured look and feel and polished with an extra sheen that makes it an artifact to covet.

At the entrance to the home, classy lamps can add to the decor if the theme is ethnic. Large lamps placed on the floor create a dramatic impact. Other decor objects can also enliven the entrance. As one enters the home, the living room offers ample opportunity for display and use of silver. Table top items include ash trays, fruit bowls, picture frames, candle stands and figurines.

Larger statues are also aesthetic add-ons, but only if the area available is large enough in proportion to the objects. Clutter should be avoided by choosing only a few elegant pieces that draw focus and complement the rest of the decor. At the bar, shakers, stirrers, coasters, spoons, ice buckets, and plenty of accessories can be silver or at least coated with it.

The dining area can use silver liberally, from the decor pieces at the centre of the table to the complete collection of tableware. This can be used for special occasions as regular use of plates, glasses and bowls may tarnish their polished surface.
The alternative is to polish them regularly and keep them in mint condition for frequent use. Silverware on the wooden or glass topped table makes for a very sophisticated dining ambience. As one moves to the bedrooms there is scope for personalized aspects of silver. Photo frames by the bedside look exquisite in patterned silver. Bowls on side tables for small objects, paperweights, and drinking water glasses are a nice touch.

Trinket boxes are utility items on dressing tables but their beauty makes them artifacts to adorn the space also. These kinds of objects are often a combination of gold and silver engraving or plating that makes them very attractive. Prayer rooms in any home have numerous silver objects in use. These can be flower baskets, picture frames for the deities or to hold scriptures, candle stands, trays, plates, bowls, bells, incense burners and lamps.

Various areas in the home could also be enhanced with tinkling wind chimes hanging in room corners, doorways and porticos. Walls can be dressed with artwork in metal engraving. Vases of this material are a collectible and so are lamp stands. Silver inlay could adorn part of the theme indoors. On a mantel shelf, sophisticated tomes with silver book ends are a class apart.

Thin beaten silver sheets can be used to clad metal containers to form exquisite holders for various objects ranging from indoor plants, magazines, umbrellas or even as a mini water body with floating candles. Decorative door hangings add a special and welcoming visual touch. To enhance the beauty of the main doorway some of the hardware can be of silver. This adds a class beyond compare as the combination of polished wooden grains and the serenity exuded by the silver surfaces make a dramatic combination.

The use of silver in abundance in a home is not practical as the price now is prohibitive. To ensure that the right balance is maintained in the decor theme it can be used judiciously to assure that it complements the tone of the existing theme. While oxidized silver needs little maintenance the polished variety requires regular care as the sheen wears off on exposure to air and moisture. Wiping with a soft cloth will keep the object shining with a coat of polish whenever required.

Source: Times of India

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