Grandma's Silver

As autumn settles in and Halloween week officially arrives, the glowing grin of a Jack-o'-Lantern becomes a familiar, eerie sight on porches across the country. But the history of this festive squash goes deeper than moody spooky fun. This week, we explore the fascinating cultural evolution of early autumn harvest rituals and how a native American crop became a global icon of seasonal nostalgia.

Allie Kochinsky is joined by Dr. Cindy Ott, historian and author of the definitive book on the subject, Pumpkin: The Curious History of an American Icon. Dr. Ott takes us on a journey from the folktales of the old-world, where turnips and beets were carved to ward off spirits, to the mid-century suburban boom that cemented the pumpkin as a symbol of rural American heritage. 

Get ready for the ultimate Halloween history lesson as we uncover the roots of our favorite fall centerpiece!

RESOURCES:

• Purchase the book here.
• Visit Cindy's website.

If you enjoy Grandma’s Silver, follow the podcast and share this episode with a friend who loves heritage, design, and timeless living.

Why do we collectively change our wardrobes the second the leaves turn? In this episode of Grandma's Silver, we explore the fascinating history, cultural rituals, and marketing machines behind the official "autumn dress code." 

Every fall, we pack away our summer linens and reach for specific textures: plaid, flannel, tweed, wool, corduroy, and heavy cable-knit sweaters. But this seasonal wardrobe reset is about much more than dropping temperatures.

Joining host Allie Kochinsky to unpack the social meaning behind what we wear is acclaimed fashion historian and author Deirdre Clemente. Together, they trace the unexpected origins of your favorite everyday garments and explore how heritage style became a multi-billion-dollar seasonal industry.

In this episode: 

• The history of fall fabrics
• How collegiate style and heritage retail giants commercialized the "fall aesthetic."
• Fashion as cultural memory

RESOURCES: 

• Visit Deirdre's website here.
• Follow along on Instagram. 
• Purchase Dress Casual: How College Students Redefined American Style.

If you enjoy Grandma’s Silver, follow the podcast and share this episode with a friend who loves heritage, design, and timeless living.

In this episode of Grandma's Silver, Allie Kochinsky steps into the crisp air of upstate New York to explore the rich history of the Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard. Built in 1856, this water-powered mill has survived centuries by blending historical preservation with the cozy rituals of the fall harvest.

Joining the conversation is second-generation owner Bill Michaels, who shares how his parents saved the abandoned structure in 1962 after falling in love with its lore. Bill pulls back the curtain on the multi-generational family legacy, the engineering behind their original 1889 water-hydraulic press, and why the act of gathering for fresh cider, mill-aged cheese, and applewood smoked traditions matters more than ever today. 

RESOURCES:

• Visit the Fly Creek website.
• Follow along on Instagram and/or Facebook.

If you enjoy Grandma’s Silver, follow the podcast and share this episode with a friend who loves heritage, design, and timeless living.

In this episode of Grandma's Silver, Allie Kochinsky is joined by Ric and Stephanie Barbatelli, co-owners of E. Braun & Co., the historic New York linen house whose roots trace back to Vienna in 1893. Together, they continue a legacy built on exceptional craftsmanship, timeless design, and the belief that everyday objects should be made to last.

The conversation explores the forgotten traditions surrounding household linens, from bedding to beautiful tables.

In this episode:

• The history of E. Braun & Co.
• Why fine linens were once treasured family heirlooms
• The craftsmanship behind luxury bedding and table linens
• Why buying fewer, better things is timeless

RESOURCES:

• Visit the E. Braun & Co. website here. 
• Follow along on Instagram and/or Facebook.

If you enjoy Grandma’s Silver, follow the podcast and share this episode with a friend who loves heritage, design, and timeless living.

In this episode of Grandma's Silver, Allie Kochinsky sits down with Marissa Geoffroy, Chief Creative Officer and third-generation leader of Sherle Wagner International, to explore the intersection of artistry, craftsmanship, and family legacy.

Sherle Wagner transformed kitchen and bath fixtures into high-quality works of art, proving that even the most functional objects in a home can be thoughtfully and beautifully designed and made. As both a fine artist and the steward of her family's American design house, Marissa shares how she balances honoring tradition while guiding the company into its next chapter.

In this episode:

• The history of Sherle Wagner International
• What it means to steward a third-generation family business
• Why beautifully made everyday objects matter
• The relationship between fine art and functional design
• Craftsmanship and legacy
• Restoring the Plaza Hotel's swan sinks
• The making of The Art of the Bath

RESOURCES:

• Visit the Sherle Wagner website here.
• Follow along on Instagram.
• Purchase the book.

If you enjoy Grandma’s Silver, follow the podcast and share this episode with a friend who loves heritage, design, and timeless living.

In this episode of Grandma's Silver, Allie Kochinsky is joined by Michael and Lucas Krauss, the father-and-son team behind Authentic Designs, a Vermont-based company that has handcrafted historically inspired lighting for more than sixty years.

As part of the podcast's collaboration with Colonial Williamsburg's WILLIAMSBURG brand, this episode explores how traditional lighting has shaped everyday life for generations, from welcoming guests at the front door to creating a gathering place around a table. Michael and Lucas share the story of their family-run business, the artistry behind handcrafted lighting, and how a collaboration with WILLIAMSBURG continue a tradition of American craftsmanship rooted in history.

Along the way, the group discusses why historic design feels relevant today and what it means to create products meant to last.

In this episode:

• The story behind Authentic Designs
• Why historically inspired lighting still resonates
• The craftsmanship behind handmade American lighting
• Lighting as an essential part of hospitality and home
• Collaborating with the WILLIAMSBURG brand
• Creating heirloom-quality objects that illuminate daily life

RESOURCES:

• Visit the Authentic Designs website here.
• Follow along on Instagram and/or Facebook.

If you enjoy Grandma’s Silver, follow the podcast and share this episode with a friend who loves heritage, design, and timeless living.

Why do marching band uniforms trigger such fierce, lifelong nostalgia? Whether you marched in a halftime show decades ago or watched from the bleachers, the wool, buttons, and feather plumes of vintage uniforms hold a unique place in American material culture.

In this episode of Grandma's Silver, we explore the theatrical pageantry and stories stitched into the seams of marching band attire. To do this, we're "traveling" to Greenville, Illinois, to step inside the legendary DeMoulin Museum with founder and curator John Goldsmith.

DeMoulin Brothers & Co. is one of the oldest and most iconic uniform manufacturers in the United States. However, their corporate history has a surprisingly bizarre origin story rooted in creating eccentric secret society initiation pranks before the uniforms they're known for today.

In this episode: 

• How a family shifted from pranks to outfitting the nation's halftime shows.
• The shift from heavy fabrics to more versatile uniforms.
• Why marching band alumni make pilgrimages to the museum and save uniform fragments as family heirlooms.

RESOURCES:

• Learn more and plan your visit to the DeMoulin Museum.
• Follow along on Instagram and/or Facebook.

If you enjoy Grandma’s Silver, follow the podcast and share this episode with a friend who loves heritage, design, and timeless living.

What does it mean to live the vacationing spirit? In this episode of Grandma's Silver, we explore the enduring allure of coastal design with acclaimed interior designer Krista Watterworth Alterman.

You've heard of coastal style. But true coastal living is about more than kitschy seaside decor; it's an architectural and cultural response to landscape, light, and heritage. Today, the aesthetic is shifting away from literal beach themes and moving toward a more disciplined expression of luxury.

Joining host Allie Kochinsky to break down this evolution is Krista Watterworth Alterman, the former HGTV host and Executive & Creative Director of Krista + Home, the luxury interior design division of Vesta. With over twenty years of experience designing legacy resort destinations and multi-million-dollar private residences across the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean, Krista brings an understanding of how spaces can be simultaneously high-design and emotionally resonant.

In this episode:

• How the traditional elements of seaside decor transformed into a modern vision of luxury informed by travel, culture, and architecture.
• Why balancing permanence with modernity is essential when crafting legacy homes that stand the test of time.
• Translating high design into spaces that handle real life with ease, intentionality, and visual clarity.

RESOURCES:

• Visit Krista's website.
• Follow along on her business Instagram or personal account.

If you enjoy Grandma’s Silver, follow the podcast and share this episode with a friend who loves heritage, design, and timeless living.

Can you design a community, or does community have to grow on its own?

When Disney developed Celebration, Florida in the 1990s, the vision extended beyond beautiful homes and charming streets. Inspired by traditional American town planning and New Urbanism, Celebration was created as a walkable community where architecture, public spaces, and everyday life might naturally foster stronger human connection.

In this episode of Grandma's Silver, we look beyond the headlines and nostalgia to explore what Celebration, Florida has become over the past three decades. Allie Kochinsky is joined by Kathleen Sipio, the Executive Director of the Celebration Foundation, to discuss how traditions take root when a town has no historic roots, why recurring community rituals matter, and what it takes to transform a neighborhood of strangers into a place where people genuinely feel they belong. We also explore the Foundation's work in strengthening community through arts, education, volunteerism, scholarships, and civic engagement.

In this episode:

• The origins and vision behind Celebration, Florida and Disney's town planning.
• Can architecture encourage connection and encourage bonding?
• Why traditions and recurring events help brand-new communities thrive.
• The importance of walkability and public spaces.
• Practical ways to build stronger communities and deeper relationships wherever you live.

RESOURCES:

• Learn more about the Celebration Foundation.
• Follow along on Instagram and/or Facebook.

If you enjoy Grandma’s Silver, follow the podcast and share this episode with a friend who loves heritage, design, and timeless living.

In this episode of Grandma's Silver, Allie Kochinsky sits down with interior designer Lindsey Walsh to explore how our homes evolve alongside the lives we build within them.

Before launching her New Jersey-based design firm, Lindsey traveled the world for her high-level marketing job, experiencing architecture, interiors, and traditions across Asia, Europe, and South America. Today, she brings those influences together with an appreciation for classic design to create personal, welcoming, and enduring spaces.  

The conversation goes beyond decor. Lindsey shares how travel shapes perspective, why meaningful homes are collected, and how developing your own sense of style is less about trend than careful attention.

In this episode:

• Why the best homes evolve with us
• How travel influences how we see design
• Developing an eye for timeless interiors
• Creating a home that tells your story

RESOURCES:

• Visit Lindsey's website here.
• Follow along on Instagram.

If you enjoy Grandma’s Silver, follow the podcast and share this episode with a friend who loves heritage, design, and timeless living.