market place
;
food preparation,” explains Steve
Schwartz, master tea blender for his
award-winning business, The Art of Tea.
“But with tea, it’s all about the
ceremonial aspect, and that exists no
matter the culture,” he says.
Evocative of Chinese dynasties and
English aristocracy, gourmet tea shops
are sprouting up in American cities, with
interiors that glamorize tea as today’s
affordable luxury.
“Sutherland”
Old age has never
looked so divine. Tea
dying is a centuries-old
technique used to
antique fabrics and
papers into maturity.;;
Tufted slipper chair,
$3,420; Baker (baker
.com), with “Salzburg”
linen fabric from Bennison
( bennisonfabrics.com).
Linen fabrics, above right,
all from Lee Jofa (leejofa
.com). “Aubergine”
teacups, $60 for six
( yedihouseware.com).
AGED IN
ELEGANCE
28 SEPTEMBER 2010
traditionalhome.com
The “Grand Tour” entertainment
cabinet is stunning with its mix
of materials from mother-of-pearl
pulls to an ebonized hardwood
frame, and inlaid parchment
panels, $2,985; Century Furniture
( centuryfurniture.com).
“Tintagel”
“Giovanni Paisley”
LOOSE
AND
LOVELY
Loose tea once had its
inconveniences, but a
host of chic and sexy
pots, infusers that keep
the tiniest tea leaves
contained, and stylish
scoops make it easy to
serve tea handsomely,
whether hot or cold.
Bamboo scoop, $8; Rishi
Tea ( rishi-tea.com), with
“1000 Cranes Blend” tea;
Teas Etc ( teasetc.com).
CELEBRATING
THE SIP
In 1945, Ruth Bigelow didn’t
stop designing—she just stopped
designing interiors. The decorator
swapped swatches for spices and
orange peel to concoct Constant
Comment, which celebrates its
65th birthday this year. The
packaging has changed, but the
recipe remains the same. The
original sepia-toned tin is shown
above ( bigelowtea.com).
