Tea Time

Tea-stained fabrics meet criteria for adding decoration with a worn, antique patina. For do-it-yourselfers, dying fabric with tea is an easy weekend project, but plenty of fabric manufacturers keep these distressed beauties in their inventories. This one is from Lee Jofa; leejofa.com

The laminated bucket tote from Anna Griffin organizes with style; annagriffin.com

The properties of tea won't diminish when stored properly. These tea caddies, both from Theodore Alexander, not only protect the delicate tea leaves, but are pretty, too. The octagonal caddy (#1105-078) is inlaid with mother-of-pearl, and its lid is topped with a brass finial. The Georgian pear-shaped caddy (#1000-125) features a brass handle in the shape of a stem; theodorealexander.com.