By now, you know all too well that I cherish a few items around my home because of their history, but what I mostly cherish are the family heirlooms. Heirlooms may have more of a sentimental value than dollar value and sometimes you can’t put a price tag on sentimental value. After attending several estate sales and speaking to a few dealers in the business, I come to realize many people (especially the younger generation) seem to really care less about family heirlooms ( I know.. sounds crazy right). For the life of me I can’t understand why a person would not want something nostalgic around their home to remind them of a loved one. But, oh well, with that said I’ve put together a simple short list as to why heirlooms matter and why you should keep them. Every room in my home has an heirloom item and though many guests may not realize it, they are around. Take for instance this quilt. Many years ago when my husband and I first came south to visit his grandmother, she showed me her quilt collection. She was an avid quilter and seeing the joy in her eyes as she proudly showed me her creations was such an endearing moment. Oh how I loved her quilts, and let me tell you….they.. were …beautiful. Each one handmade with her loving fingers cutting, arranging, stitching and sewing her quilts. Back then she belonged to a quilting club called the Busy Bees (how cute right). When she told me she’d make me a quilt, I remember her showing me one square she started. I told her I liked it and needless to say, as promised she made me a quilt. When I first received it, I kept it on our bed all the time, but fear of ruining it from the constant wear, I stored it for quite some time in the blanket chest. During the guest room refresh, I decided to use the quilt as part of the bedding, so I chose fabric to have a custom bedspread made for it.
Now the quilt has a modern look with all the blended colors and yet, it makes its own statement in the room.
When I make this bed, I know there’s a part of Mammie (as we all lovingly called her) lingering in our home and a warm feeling knowing my guests are covered in love.
Do you see how small touches of family can be reflected in your home decor? You can hold on to that dated item and make it a simple show piece or let it make a subtle statement.
So here are my five rules as to why you need to make it a point to hold on to something from your grandparents’ or parents’ home:
Reason 1) Recycle – is the key and what better item to recycle or re-use other than something your family member once had.
Reason 2) Childhood memories – You can share the item with your child, whether it’s a toy/doll you had or maybe grandma’s favorite apron, (the one she wore while you and her baked cookies). Or granddad’s hammer, the one he used to build you something.
Reason 3) Reflections– Remember before cell phones and modern technology how we use to do things. That old rotary dial telephone could make you reflect how things were or that wind up alarm clock that you’d see on the bedside table in your parent’s room and realize how time flew.
Reason 4) Cherish – Cherish the item, because once that person is gone, you’ll have something in your possession to keep the memory alive.
and last but not least… the major reason —
Reason 5) Discipline – Because Grandma/Mommy said so!! Haha.. yes, if mom or grandma says you better hold on to it.. well … you BETTA!!!!!
So, I’m curious, do you have an heirloom styled in your home? I want to hear about it and would love to see a picture how you have it styled in your home. Seriously, drop me a picture in my email and I’d love to feature it on the blog. Here’s my email.. jamala.wallace@gmail.com and make the subject line heirloom. I look forward to hearing from you. As alway..Happy hunting while you thrift your house into a home!!
CIAO!!!!
I loved reading this article Jamala. I especially liked point #3- Reflections. It’s nice to reflect on things every now and then. Excellent reasoning.
I totally agree! I bought my childhood home in Pennsylvania and I love the memories that house evokes! But then there are the furniture pieces… don’t even get me started!
I have my mother’s violin that she played in high school! She loved playing it.
I have my mothers dining room set! Her dishes! The memories!
Your quilt and your bedroom is gorgeous! Way to go girlfriend!
Hey Nancy! Thank you for reading and I’m happy to hear you’ve got some family heirlooms.. I really loved hearing you have your mom’s violin… wow!! That’s great.. please share a pic with me.. ..i’m going to do a post featuring the submissions..
I think I do have a picture of it hanging on the wall. How do I submit it to you? How nice of you to be interested!
I use Mar’s dishes everyday and won’t trade them for anything. We shared plenty of meals with her. From spaghetti o’s to Thanksgiving dinner, she’s always present ❤️. Thank you for a great read.
Yes Amina!! When we used them for Thanksgiving, it brought back all the memories at Mar’s house. I’m so glad you got them.
I just found your blog as finding your name in a Flea Market magazine and, boy, am I glad I found you. I really enjoyed reading your ideas on family heirlooms . I have a old folding yardstick that was used by my grandfather. What a silly thing to treasure, but it is so special to me. Thanks for the memories…….Mary Jo
Hi MaryJo!! Welcome to my blog and thank you for joining in on the conversation. Having your grandfather’s yardstick is definitely not a silly treasure.. I’m sure there are so many special moments you had with your grandfather and now you get to share it and the stories with you children and grandchildren. I truly appreciate you visiting and hope you enjoy what you read and will continue to follow along. Take care and I look forward to a continued connection.
I like that family heirlooms are reminders of people that we knew, people that we didn’t know, and younger versions of ourselves.
Yes Ruth you hit the nail right on the head as to why heirloom need to be saved. They add charming affects in the home
I’m such a nerd to love the smallest big things… I’m so IN LOVE with that monogrammed pillow cover & quilt!
This is the best Jamala. We have so many keepsakes from generations past & it feels great to be able to tell our kids that their kids & grand-kids will one day have them in their home. Legacy & memories for generations.
I need you to help us pull some things out of the attic & use together in a room or 2. Not that I’m making work for you or anything 😉
Hey Nikki!! Girl.. there’s nothing nerdy about liking the small details 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed reading this and what I shared. Having the keepsakes are so valuable and I love hearing there are many more people who love the concept of having nostalgia around the home.. I would love to help you add a few pieces in your home- feel free to shoot me some pics — I can’t wait to see
I’m glad that my boys value the family pieces we have! WotW hope their wives one day will as well! I’m so glad you have posted these 5 suggeation!!!
Hey Taamyra! Oh once your sons share the stories of their family keepsakes with their wives – you can believe they’ll cherish them just as well. Thanks for reading
I see that lovely quilt on the bed and I do love a good quilt. Heirlooms keep memories safe, unfortunately I have none. Only photos that we save and pass down to the young people.
Thank you Neti for reading.. having family photos are just as great. Copies can be made for family members to hang a grouping for a wall gallery..
You are absolutely correct in your value placed on heirlooms. Memories keeps everyone close and brings the dead to life.
Thank you karriem! I appreciate you reading and happy to see that you understand the value of the family keepers