Thursday, April 14, 2011

Things I love... Mom's Mushroom Bowl

The other day I was looking through a West Elm catalog and my heart almost stopped when I noticed a bowl mixed in with the table items. It was a white enameled bowl with line drawings of mushrooms going around the top. I grew up with that bowl and loved it! I've never seen anyone else have it. Countless salads of crisp lettuce with mandarin oranges and glazed almonds were tossed in it by my Mom. It's one of my favorite serving pieces of hers. So when she visited a month ago I showed her the picture, laughing at how her artistic taste is still in fashion!

And a couple weeks later, a box arrived at my door and she had sent me the bowl! (thanks Mom!) I am so excited to use and enjoy the mushroom bowl. I was pretty shocked when I put it next to my own appetizer  ceramic platter and saw the similarities in line and character of the drawings. Just goes to show, with the discussions of inspiration, how deeply rooted our inspirations are. Years of seeing a style, an illustration, a color... it influences the way you see things. It also makes me realize how much I like to have some sentimental touches in my kitchen. As they say, it is the heart of the home, and it's full of memories from smells and tastes and favorite recipes and... the mushroom bowl.

What do you love in your kitchen? What puts the smile of good memories on your face?

2 comments:

Terri Conrad said...

morning Robin, how funny that I just published another post on (still) working on the redesign of my home office when I received your note. Cannot wait to see your inspiration. Hubs in in the garage working already, I had better get going - when he's {ready!!!} to work I need to seize the moment! :o)

hugs
Terri

Teresa said...

Hi Robin,

Imagine my surprise to see the mushroom bowl as I have the same bowl I got recently when my father passed. It's by Kaj Franck, Finnish designer. I can relate to what you say about connecting back to the past as I think my modern design style reflects my father's taste for modern design as an architect in the 50's, 60's and 70's.

You and I met at Surtex this year though you may not remember. Here is my website to check out if you wish and see a pictures of me in the Bio. woohoodesignstudio.com.

Congrats on getting the mushroom bowl!!

I love your designs!

Teresa Woo-Murray