Thanksgiving is upon us, and you know what that means: time to polish up the silver (and brass!) for a stylish season of holiday entertaining. But despite even the best intentions, antique serving pieces, whether found at a flea market or inherited from family, deteriorate with time. Silver can dull and surfaces pit, often leaving heirloom quality pieces bound for scrap. Sometimes, all they need is a good cleaning, but for items with more extensive damage, skilled craftspeople, trained in the art of restoration, can preserve cherished pieces and the memories they bring. This month, for my column in Southern Living magazine, I traveled to the Scott Antique Market in Atlanta (one of my favorites!), where I found a collection of serving pieces with plenty of potential but too pitted or tarnished to use. A coin silver ladle was wafer thin at the bowl with parts of it missing altogether. But thanks to the help of two restoration companies, my serving pieces have never looked better! For the full story, read on. And while you’re there, don’t forget to like the column, everyone!

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