I am fortunate to come from a family who passes down heirlooms by the dozen. Perhaps it is a testament to our nostalgic, pack rat tendencies, but we love having these treasures in our homes to use and enjoy. While heirlooms can never replace the people who passed them along to us, these objects make us feel closer to them and help us to honor their memories. In fall 2011, I inherited my grandma's kitchen sideboard. It currently holds all of my crafting supplies, but every time I open a drawer, I'm transported back to her sunny, Southern California kitchen. While the sideboard mostly held pots and pans during its almost 40 years in her home, she kept notepads and pens in one of the drawers and my coloring books and crayons in another. As a child I loved coloring in her kitchen while she cooked, and I remember those happy times when I open one of the drawers to get out paper, glue and paint. It provides wonderful inspiration as I begin a new project, and it makes me feel like she's still with me. If you don't come from a family of "keepers" but love the look of a home with history, try visiting flea markets, antique malls and thrift stores. These places are filled with beautiful treasures that carry a multitude of memories, and while you won't necessarily know the stories behind your new treasures, you'll know that each item you bring home has a story. You'll also add a new chapter to a piece's life, and you'll score something with exceptional craftsmanship and a lovely patina. You can't beat that.
What is your favorite family heirloom? A few of ours are below...
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All of these items were in my great-grandmother's and grandma's homes before they were passed down to me and my mother. Most of them are from the early 1960s, with the exception of the sideboard which dates to the late '40s. I loved having it in my home.
If you want to create a home with history but don't know where to start (or don't have time to treasure hunt!), we'd would love to help you search for the perfect heirlooms for your home. Contact us to learn more.