heirlooms, hand-me-downs and gifts
Heirlooms, hand-me-downs, and gifts come from someone and end up somewhere else.
When I got married 33 years ago, we didn’t have the resources to buy all the new furniture. Fortunately, some new furniture was generously gifted by family, and other pieces were past-down and recycled into our new home. We never went to Rooms To Go to buy a whole room, let alone a whole house of furniture. We added piece by piece. Some new and some old, some perfect and some worn. As I look around my house, many items remain from years ago, and some of the second-hand pieces were purchased by ourselves. It’s kind of strange, but the new items that we bought are the pieces of furniture I’m more inclined to replace. I suppose the old saying, they don’t make them like they used to, really holds.
Recently I read a blog post by someone I often refer to when picking out a paint color. Her name is Maria Killam. She has offered me solid advice, via her posts, and educated me on how to choose paint. One would think picking paint is relatively easy, but it has proved to be the opposite. I find a color I love, make a purchase, put it up, and hate it. One really needs to consider the lighting in your space and how the outside reflects the interior setting, but that’s a whole different post. She also delves into decorating rooms, picking out granite and a whole host of information about home decor. The link above is an excellent source of professional design ideas, I encourage you to click on it and take a look. However, there was one article that hit home about my decorating style, and wondering if I’m doing it all wrong?
I know the intent of the post was not to make me feel bad about how I decorate, but it did cause me to pause. The gist of the blog suggested that you limit your ‘hand-me-downs’ and keep only the ones that have significant sentimental value. I’m not quoting her exact words, but that was my takeaway from the article. If I was to considered that I would have to pretty much remove everything on display! So much of what I have has sentimental meaning and was given to me by family members. I suppose I inherited the sentimental gene. Now, there are a few things I could let go of, but while I still have the space to display those items, they’ll remain, at least for now. So, just as I was a little ‘discouraged’ about my over-display-of-hand-me-down-treasures, I came across an article in Vogue, no less, that made me smile again! Here’s a snippet from the article and definitely click on the blue link above for the full read.
What does comfy look like, exactly? Think plushy, sink-into furniture, chestnut woods, warm colors, overflowing bookshelves (but not the color-coordinated kind, rather, ones stocked with tattered covers of novels you’ve read and loved). Less mass-produced furniture and more reworking of passed-down family pieces or ones you already own. (There’s nothing more thrilling than giving new life to ancestral pieces,” says Kathryn Ireland.) Fluffy towels, luxurious candles, objets d’art from local artisans rather than e-commerce giants. Essentially: “The trend is to embrace what lasts, what’s well made, and what makes you smile,” says Standefer.
Ahhh! Now my mind is at peace! I can rest in my treasures from parents, grandparents, great-aunts, and others!!
I love having items from loved-ones. As mentioned in previous posts, I often rearrange items and put things in different rooms. It brings a new focus to something that might have been lost in a former space. As I go about a room while cleaning, I’ll come across an item and think of that person. It’s kind of a nice way to either remember someone that is no longer with me or think of someone that may be not too far away. Today, my niece Emily came to mind as I dusted my mantel. I’m not too sure how long to keep dried flowers, but I suppose the beauty behind them is their lasting quality. As long as they still look good and the dust doesn’t outshine their glory, I’ll keep them as a reminder of the sentiment behind the giver.
I suppose it took the arrival of 2021 for my style to match Vogue! The pandemic of 2020 allowed a more relaxed and miss-match of eras to come together and create a very livable space. It’s not to say that I don’t appreciate a more Pottery Barn look. I certainly do, but I could never give up the items that I have to achieve that. I could incorporate new items, but not eliminate them. I wouldn’t consider replacing an antique heirloom with something that I purchased at Home Goods. And, there’s nothing wrong with that. I know some people get to the point where they want new, cleaner and simpler items in their home and just want a fresh start. I really love the way that looks. The truth be told, I spend a bit of money at HomeGoods! It certainly is a store that provides adornments to my home! However, for me, I enjoy the treasures from the past, and the memories of loved ones in my midst, as they remain a place-hold in my day-to-day life.
For all who have contributed to my home decor-thank you. There’s something about giving a gift that creates longevity. Every time I use my bread knife-I think of Fay, look at embroidery- I think of my Grandmother (pictured above), turn on a particular light switch, I think of Diane and on and on it goes.
I think of you more often than you would imagine.
