Spring Must-Haves - Beverage Dispensers and More

As flowers bloom, sunshine pours in through the windows, and the weather outside becomes suitable for outdoor entertaining, spring necessitates a whole new set of items for your home! Your spring checklist should contain a wide variety of goods, including beverage dispensers for cool lemonade, garden-style tabletop accessories, and durable barware for patio cocktails.

Beverage Dispensers

Carrying a pitcher of lemonade, chilled water, or iced tea outside on a sunny day is just asking for trouble. Because of the open top, your beverage probably won't stay cold in a pitcher - or even clean. For this reason, spring hostesses rely on beverage dispensers. Some of the most popular beverage dispensers contain ice inserts, allowing the ice to cool your beverage without diluting the flavor when it melts. These are great for those warm afternoons when you can feel summer knocking at the door. Metal beverage dispensers are also very stylish, as these opaque items are sometimes decorated with floral designs in bright spring colors - ideal for garden parties. For something a little more whimsical, you'll love a beehive beverage dispenser. Shaped exactly like it sounds, this piece makes an excellent conversation starter.

Tabletop Accessories

For meals both inside and out, tabletop accessories can jazz up any occasion. These pieces can be functional, such as vases, platters, or bowls, or else strictly ornamental - it's up to you. If you can't decide between two pieces, just get them both! (Worst case scenario, you can give one away as a hostess gift.) We've been talking about bright colors, but spring isn't all about whimsy. There's also that mysterious, rugged look - those tabletop accessories that remind you of The Secret Garden. For these pieces, the Pompeii series by Arte Italica can't be beat. Crafted in handmade ceramic, the Pompeii collection includes bowls, planters, platters, vases, and pitchers, all available in rustic shades of coral, mustard, turquoise, and ivory. Best of all, these pieces are embellished by hand with one-of-a-kind paint drips, intentional distressing, and faux cracks to provide an authentic aged feel.

Barware

Outdoor barware is tricky. You want your stemware and bar glasses to look elegant as ever, but hopefully provide an added touch of durability, as patios and decks are not very kind to falling glasses. Fortunately, the Verona series by Arte Italica features crisp, beautifully shaped glass bowls supported by sturdy pewter stems. This collection includes a variety of items, including champagne flutes, red and white wine glasses (also suitable for water), martini glasses, decanters, and pitchers. For bar glasses, the Coccodrillo collection - also by Arte Italica - includes pewter as well, this time accented with intriguing crocodile designs. Stock up on double old fashioned glasses or highball glasses, then choose accessory items such as bottle openers, ice buckets and tongs, and coasters. This Arte Italica collection also offers indoor items - from soap dispensers to picture frames - so you can add Coccodrillo items throughout your home if you find that you enjoy the style.


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