Grandma's Silver

Allie Kochinsky

Grandma’s Silver explores timeless design, antiques, and traditions with cultural host Allie Kochinsky. Join thoughtful, approachable conversations with designers, historians, and artisans — from interiors and collectibles to storytelling and enduring style.  New episodes every Wednesday.

  1. Enduring Resort Style with Pamela Munson

    EPISODE 1

    Enduring Resort Style with Pamela Munson

    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 hereFollow along on Instagram Thanks for joining me at the table on this week’s episode of Grandma’s Silver. I hope you enjoyed hearing stories of craft, heritage, and the rituals that connect us across generations. If you loved this conversation, subscribe so you don’t miss the next one, and follow along for more behind-the-scenes tales, timeless design, and celebration of life’s little traditions.

    31 min
  2. Historic Garden Week: Spring, Hospitality & Tradition (Part I)

    EPISODE 6

    Historic Garden Week: Spring, Hospitality & Tradition (Part I)

    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. Thanks for joining me at the table on this week’s episode of Grandma’s Silver. I hope you enjoyed hearing stories of craft, heritage, and the rituals that connect us across generations. If you loved this conversation, subscribe so you don’t miss the next one, and follow along for more behind-the-scenes tales, timeless design, and celebration of life’s little traditions.

    43 min

About

Grandma’s Silver explores timeless design, antiques, and traditions with cultural host Allie Kochinsky. Join thoughtful, approachable conversations with designers, historians, and artisans — from interiors and collectibles to storytelling and enduring style.  New episodes every Wednesday.

You Might Also Like