Saturday, April 18, 2009

The Perfect Accessory

My favorite accessory is a wooden tea caddy. The old ones had the same techniques applied to them as furniture, and have been around for 200 years.
Caddies are a great way to conceal clutter, perfect for your cell phone or your husbands wallet and loose change.

I love that they all have locks on them. It's fun to think of tea being a pricey commodity, subject to theft ...



As for the name, the tea chest came to be called caddies from the Malay word, "kati ," a measure of weight for tea.




Yes, tea caddies are my favorites ... my least favorite would have to be fake flowers ... What is your favorite and least favorite accessory?


18 comments:

  1. these are so fabulous...I also like the old silverware boxes...they stack wonderfully.

    Happy Spring!

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  2. These 'tea caddies' are such treasures! I think my favourite accessory has to be Artwork.
    (Pleasing to the eye, a method of self expression, adornment for walls and a great investment.)

    Is 'The Clapper' (electrical switch) considered an accessory? IF not, then how about 'Napkin Rings'? HGTV Canada did a survey on both and only 30% of the people used them after the novelty of usage wore off. SMILES -Brenda- SUPER POST VICKY!

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  3. GM Vicky wonderful post girl...just loved it...now I am having my 100 post give away if you want to stop by...not your kind of thing but just maybe you'll like it...hugs and smiles Dear friend...Gl♥ria

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  4. My favorite accessory would be knick-knacks that have lots of personality!

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  5. You are so right Brenda, ART, ART, ART ! That's my favorite too. I was only thinking about things that go on surfaces. I love my oil painting more though. Thanks for coming by.

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  6. I love to keep photos in mine. You can put old family photos in one and then open it and arrange them so that company can enjoy the old black and white pics. They're always sure to draw many comments!
    Denise
    Great post!

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  7. I have some silk flowers that have to be my favorite. I love boxes ,but give me a cup of tea and I will think about it! hehe Kathy

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  8. MMMM... let me think... I love anything from the sea, shells, stones, coral can;t live or decorate without them, least fav. maybe vases, never did much for me!! Love this post btw!!

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  9. Oopps! Sorry. Believe it or not I would have to agree with you. My least favorite is also fake flowers. Specifically fake floral arrangements. I do however enjoy my fake greenery topiaries. A little bit goes a long way.
    Denise

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  10. I MUST SAY I REALLY DO LOVE YOUR TEA BOXES, THEY ADD SUCH A NICE TOUCH.

    IM NOT A BIG ACCESSORY GIRL, MAINLY BECAUSE OF SPACE ISSUES. AT THIS MOMENT, AND THAT CAN CHANGE VERY QUICKLY, MY FAVORITES ARE LIKELY MY DRUM STOOLS AND MY ALPHAPHOTOGRAPHY. I ALSO LOVE ART, BUT THERE IS ONLY A COUPLE IN OUR HOME THAT I CAN SAY THAT I ACTUALLY ADORE.

    AS FOR FAKE FLOWERS, I MUST SAY THEY HAVE COME A LONG WAY SINCE THE PLASTIC DAYS, I HAVE A NICE SILK ORCHID BUT AT THE SAME TIME I DO ENJOY MY REAL FLOWERS TOO. STOP BY I HAVE JUST THE POST FOR YOU...HA HA
    HUGS
    JANET

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  11. * You've assembled some fab looking tea caddies, V, & I think I "NEED" one (or two or three! Lovely! Sooo many ways to USE them, too!)~~~

    PERSONALLY, I can't live without BOOKS in our home.... I simply can't/couldn't! I just wish I had "MY" dream bookSHLEVES installed... IN the dining room, using it as a "part-time library"!

    Altho some of my friends have & use them, I personally canNOT have "faux" flowers or plants... (guess I'd rather "go without" if I can't have them fresh).

    I LIKE "organized" clutter, but can't PERSONALLY live w/ more than a weeee-tinnnnny-tad of it, no matter HOW well edited~~~ (HOWEVER, I DO enjoy seeing it in the homes of others, ESPECIALLY when beautifully displayed!

    And like I'm SURE soooooo many others feel, my very "FAV ACCESSORIES" are the very people (and animals!) that make a house truly a "HOME"!!!~~~

    Love, many warm hugs, enjoy the weekend & thanks for the fun of stopping for a moment to think about your question! Fun, kiddo!
    XOXO Linda

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  12. I love tea caddies as well but alas, have only one! But Ilove it --it's not a flat lidded one, however . . . Your caddies are absolutley georgeous!

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  13. hmm...good one...i think for me it would have to be books and trays. trays to hold all things. and baskets. they are just so sculptural and pretty.
    and fake flowers are pretty awful. don't think it gets much worse than that.
    xoj

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  14. It seems that you guys think the great caddies in this post are in my home...I wish I were that lucky. No, these are some I found on Ms. Howards website. I have loved your comments on this post and find myself agreeing with so many of you, Linda, I love my books and if I am not careful I let them take the house over. Jenny, I too, love trays, they make the most of clutter. Thanks everyone for such great insight. Don't be a stranger!

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  15. Mornin' Girlfriend...

    Ohhh my, I am playing "catch up" once again over here at your place! I've just left messages on your last 4 posts!

    All of these tea caddies are just beautiful! I have a "thing" for all pretty boxes anyway! I just love when such a beautiful piece is also functional! I could fill those pretties up in no time flat! Hehe!!! I'm glad that you included some of the history and background on these...so interesting!!!

    Hmmm...as for your departing question? Of course, my favorite accessory is the tea caddy...and I don't mind the faux flowers although fresh flowers would have been much nicer!

    How are you doing, my friend? I bet you're keeping busy these days with your beautiful yard? I sure do hope that you and your family are all doing well!

    Love ya, Darlin'!
    Chari

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  16. I love your caddies, Vicky. I love collecting various wooden boxes too and they are perfect for storing flatware also....Christine

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  17. i love tea caddies too - i wish i could afford a tortoise shell one - those are so gorgeous! and i also love the chinoiserie ones - I have one of those!!

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