I Heart Antiques

Friday, July 31, 2009

I love antiques. They don't even have to be valuable antiques...I just love that an item I can hold in my own hands is a real, tangible piece of history. Take this bottle for instance:


It was manufactured in the late 1800's and it was an antique when my Grandma owned it. I don't know about you, but that just boggles my mind. Seriously! I can just picture a little Gibson Girl in a corset placing this very bottle in her medicine cabinet (any chance you're still reading? Or have I already bored you to death...).

(Uh hum...for those of you still reading) In my opinion, antiques are even better when they're family heirlooms. This china cabinet belonged to my great-grandmother. She saved up her money and bought it as a newlywed (in 1923). I feel honored to have it in my home (and as a bonus, I love the simple design).

I keep my mother's wedding china in the cabinet. Growing up, I always thought her pattern was so fancy and elegant. I was delighted when she passed it down to me, and I use it every Thanksgiving.




For more talk about heirlooms, head on over to the party today at "Emma Calls Me Mama".

Have a great weekend!

13 Suburbanites Said:

Annie said...

I so agree with you. Sometimes it's nice to have something in hand that you just know meant something to someone at some time.

I don't really have the ability to get things from my family, but my husband's has given us some things that are just precious. One piece came from his Aunt -- a handmade bread board that my DH made for her back when he was in middle or high school. She said that she was so blessed when he gave it to her... and that she wanted to pass that blessing on to me. And it's GORGEOUS!! It has a place of importance in my kitchen and I smile everytime I look at it.

Lotta Dahl said...

Your china pattern is beautiful!

Decor mamma said...

I just love Antiques and Family Heirlooms too! The key though is to have a nice mix of old and new, otherwise your style will be old fashioned.

Cute china too!

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

That china pattern is lovely! I also like the simple lines on your cabinet. Had to smile at the Gibson girl comment...very cute. :)

If you have a chance to stop by today, I have an announcement about a new blog party (my first!), and I think you might like it. ;)

Strand Family said...

You should go to the Rockefeller house in Tarrytown NY. They had their own private museum of modern art with works by Picasso and other really famous artists, but John Rockefeller taught his son that anything could be art so there are bottles exactly like the one in your picture that he and his son displayed in their museum.

Unknown said...

Neat heirlooms! I feel the same way about antiques. Guess that's why I've collected them for so long. The china is very pretty...thanks for sharing!

Nancy

Unknown said...

You china is very lovely and your cabinet is beautiful. I love it's simple lines. Thanks for sharing!

Claudia said...

I love the china and the cabinet is beautiful! I agree - I love antiques and all the more if they are family pieces. Thanks for sharing your lovely things.

Rue said...

I agree! I have many antiques, but the ones I value the most are from family. The little bottle, the china cabinet and the china are all beautiful!

rue

fifi said...

You know, I know exctly what you mean. My great Granmother who is 97(I think) Has these beautiful anitque pieces (colonial I think)which she probably got from her parents around the time she got married which I just would love to inherit. The biggest obstacle is she lives thousands of miles away in Fiji Islands and I just wish I could could go over there and just admire its beauty I more time..

Marie said...

Hello AnNicole - thank you for joining the party! I have a blue bottle very similar to yours. Mine says "Dr. Miles Restorative Nervine" - so cool. I too have pictured someone using it so long ago. I really love your great-gramma's cabinet and all the beautiful pieces inside. Your mother's china is so pretty - love the gold design.

Blessings,
Marie
http://emmacallsmemama.com

Unknown said...

Had me at Gibson girl, I had to laugh as that is my maiden name. Such nice pieces and I love that they have family history. We don't have many original 'family' items. My parents are 80 but Mom was one of 12 and not much got passed down after her over-indulged two youngest siblings took everything. I guess that happens in families sometimes. The rest never held a grudge though, they still got along. I guess the family 'love' and forgiveness got passed down :)

Yansy said...

I love antiques as well and your china is absolutely divine.