FUNCTIONAL ART
The dining room is an ideal place to display serveware. Polder’s Old World Market sells just that—handcrafted wood pieces that are meant to last a lifetime. Here are some of Loran Polder’s tips on choosing and displaying them.
HOW TO CHOOSE IT
When it comes to kitchen and dining serveware, you want something that will last through years of use, and still be beautiful. Polder’s, for example, handcrafts cutting boards, wooden spoons and other wares from local fallen trees near the company’s farm in Virginia. “You won’t find any computer-operated machinery in our shop, but rather a row of fine Swiss-made utensils and piles of little, irregular squares of worn-out sandpaper,” Loran says. When purchasing serveware you want to display, check for a lifetime warranty to make sure you’re getting the most durable pieces and the best bang for your buck.
HOW TO DISPLAY IT
There are many ways to display serveware in your dining room. Hang a few open shelves for bowls and plates, or display a collection of jugs along the top of a sideboard. “One of our favorite ways to add rustic charm to our own farmhouse is to display our large collection of vintageinspired boards and trays, most of which we designed,” says Loran. “We love stacking and layering them, and also hanging them in groups on the wall, where they can be part of the décor and also easily accessible.”