Grandma's Silver

“You have their chair, you have their bed, you’ve got their desk — it’s a tangible human connection.” — Lisa Minardi, Executive Director, Historic Trappe

How do historic objects help us understand the past?

In this episode of Grandma's Silver, Allie Kochinsky speaks with Lisa Minardi, Executive Director of Historic Trappe, about the role of material culture in preserving the nation's history.

Historic Trappe stewards several important historic properties connected to the Muhlenberg family, including the Speaker's House, as well as the Muhlenberg House and the Dewees Tavern, home to the organization's Center for Pennsylvania German Studies. Through exhibitions, research, and hands-on preservation programs, Historic Trappe helps visitors understand the daily lives, craftsmanship, and cultural traditions that shaped early Pennsylvania. 

We also discuss the launch of the inaugural Pennsylvania Antiques Show, a new antiques show bringing together dealers, collectors, and historians to celebrate Pennsylvania decorative arts and craftsmanship. 

In this conversation, we explore:

• What antiques reveal about everyday life in early America
• The importance of preservation education
• How antique shows help sustain collecting and scholarship

For collectors, history lovers, and anyone fascinated by historic craftsmanship, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how objects, architecture, and landscapes preserve the stories of the past.

RESOURCES

• Visit the Historic Trappe here. 
• Follow along on Instagram and/or Facebook.
• Grab your tickets to the Pennsylvania Antiques Show!

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

Before founding her namesake brand in Bermuda, Sarah Bray-West spent years as a writer and editor in New York, contributing to big-name publications. But over time, promoting constant consumption, even of beautiful things, began to conflict with her values.

In this episode of Grandma's Silver, Sarah shares the story of stepping away from the editorial world, relocating to Bermuda, and reimagining what it means to create responsibly. From biodegradable sun hats woven of palm leaf to the use of vintage ribbons, her brand, Sarah Bray Bermuda, is rooted in craft, intention, and an honest approach to sustainability.

If you've ever felt conflicted about modern luxury, or wondered whether elegance and ethics can coexist, this episode offers a thoughtful and refreshing perspective.

RESOURCES

• Shop Sarah'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.

“It’s a Virginia tradition of graciousness and hospitality — every visitor is welcomed with a big smile and genuine happiness to see them.” — Virginia Gillick

Each April, as Virginia comes into bloom, a remarkable tradition unfolds. During the third week of the month, private homes and gardens, many rarely open to the public, welcome visitors in celebration of beauty, place, and history.

In this episode of Grandma's Silver, I sit down with Karen Ellsworth, Director of Historic Garden Week, and Virginia Gillock, Board Member and Chair, to discuss the origins and evolution of this nearly century-old tradition.

We explore the Garden Club of Virginia's founding vision, why the event has endured for generations, the deeply place-based nature of the tours across Virginia, how gardens tell stories that architecture alone cannot, and what visitors can expect this year. 

From floral arrangements and front-door hospitality to the anticipation of spring across the Commonwealth, this conversation highlights what makes Historic Garden Week so special, and why 2026 marks a particularly meaningful moment in its history.

RESOURCES:

• Learn more about Historic Garden Week here, including how to purchase tickets.
• Follow along on Facebook and/or Instagram to stay updated on events, photographs, and more.
• Interested in the book recommended by today's guests? Snag your copy of Founding Gardeners: The Revolutionary Generation, Nature, and the Shaping of the American Nature.

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

“Each tea has a proper brewing method… if you put that little bit of intention in, the finished cup is just so much more enjoyable.” 

Tea is one of the most enduring rituals in our daily lives. A pause, a comfort, a habit passed quietly from one generation to the next.

In this episode, I'm joined by Emeric Harney of Harney & Sons, the family-run American tea company known for its dedication to quality, craftsmanship, and tradition. Together, we go beyond nostalgia and into the inner workings of a heritage brand, from how their tea is sourced and blended to the relationships built with growers around the world, to the discipline required to create consistency in a product shaped by nature.

Emeric shares what it means to steward a multi-generational company, how art and science come together in the process, and why tea remains an enduring ritual.

RESOURCES:

• Visit the Harney & Sons website here.
• Follow along on Instagram.
• Check out Emeric's cocktail bar, Quantum Toad!

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

“It’s beautiful to take a step back and let the child stay the central character.”

In this episode, I sit down with Dunn Latham, President and Designer of Little English, the children’s fashion and lifestyle brand founded by her mother, Shannon, in 2004. What began as a collection of traditional hand-smocked layette has grown into an upscale, full-service apparel and accessories line, carried by Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Maisonette.

Dunn shares how she carries forward the family legacy, honoring not only the heirloom-quality garments the brand creates but also the ethos and spirit of Little English itself — a company that has been lovingly passed down and continues to shape the traditions of childhood, celebration, and thoughtful living. From crafting “forever quality” clothing meant to be treasured and passed down, to inspiring milestone moments like baby showers and first birthdays, this conversation blends nostalgia, style, and intentional living.


RESOURCES:

• Shop Little English here.
• Visit the Instagram page (and be sure to follow Dunn directly).

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

Valentine's Day is about more than chocolate; it's a tradition steeped in history and sentiment. In this episode of Grandma's Silver, I sit down with Nancy Rosin from the National Valentine Collectors Assocation to explore the world of valentines.

From delicate lace and embossed cards to clever pop-ups and handwritten notes, these collectible treasures reveal the customs, courtship rituals, and humor of generations past. We talk about how valentines were made, what made them meaningful, and how they were preserved as keepsakes. Plus, what they can teach us about love, celebration, and the joys of tangible tradition today.

Whether you're a collector, a history enthusiast, or someone who enjoys celebrating February with thoughtfulness and style, this conversation is full of stories that will make you see Valentine's Day in a whole new light.

RESOURCES:

• Follow Nancy's Facebook group here.
• Check out the Association's website.
• For visuals to accompany this episode, click here.

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

"Home really became a refuge for me.”

In today's episode, I sit down with interior designer Dana Wolter, who is known for her chic Southern style, discerning eye, and creating spaces that blend timeless elegance with comfort. From her early experiences growing up in a large family to designing turnkey residences across the nation, Dana has cultivated a philosophy that homes should be sanctuaries for family life.

RESOURCES:

• Visit Dana's website here.
• Follow along on Instagram.
• Shop her new book, The Elegance and Comfort of Home.

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

“I love that the memories associated with straw handbags and travel are really special.”

In this episode, I sit down with Pamela Munson, the designer behind her namesake straw accessories brand, known for its timeless style, thoughtful craftsmanship, and storytelling approach to design. Inspired by summers spent near (and on!) the water, family traditions, and the understated elegance of her grandmother, Pamela creates handbags and accessories that feel both classic and quietly modern, pieces meant to be used, loved, and kept.

With more than 15 years of experience in the fashion industry at CHANEL, Oscar de la Renta, and Bergdorf Goodman, Pamela brings an understanding of design and business to her work. Her straw collections are carried by luxury retailers and featured in publications like Vogue, Town & Country, and Oprah Magazine. 

In our conversation, Pamela shares how personal history shapes her creative process, what goes into designing with a natural, seasonless material, and her approach to building a brand rooted in longevity rather than trends. It's a thoughtful look at how memory, craft, and restraint come together to create enduring style.

RESOURCES:

• Shop Pamela'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.

Few things evoke the spirit of the season like a home sparkling with twinkling lights, heirloom ornaments, and meaningful traditions. I’m joined by Brian Branton, who is known for his elegant, Southern-inspired holiday decor.

Many followed along as Brian transformed his Alexandria, Virginia home each Christmas, blending Southern charm with classic holiday magic. This year, he’s bringing that same festive flair to a newly restored property in South Carolina, sharing how he layers heirloom touches to create spaces that feel warm, welcoming, and timeless.


RESOURCES:

• Follow Brian 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.

I'm joined by Keith Winkler of Replacements, Ltd., the world's largest supplier of vintage and current dinnerware, silver, crystal, and collectibles. With decades of history, Replacements has become a beloved source for those of us who treasure heirlooms, search for missing pieces, or simply delight in setting a beautiful table.

Keith and I talk about the magic of finding that long-long china pattern, why these pieces hold such emotional weight, and how Replacements helps connect people not just with objects, but with their family histories and traditions. We also touch on entertaining, collecting, and the timeless joy of gathering around the table, particularly during the holiday season.

RESOURCES:

• Visit the Replacements, Ltd. website here.
• Follow along on Facebook and/or Instagram.
• Submit your story.

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