Decorating With Family Heirlooms

Today I'm participating in Marie's Heirloom Party, at Emma Calls Me Mama. My house isn't FULL of family heirlooms, but I have some very special pieces to share with you. I might even have some ideas for incorporating your family's treasures into your decor.

First up, is this adorable chair given to me by my grandmother. She wasn't quite this cute when I got her. Read the story of the chair's transformation here.

She now sits in my foyer in her flirty little skirt, greeting all who enter.

The side tables in our master bedroom are both family heirlooms. This one, on my side, was given to me by my mother. I love the curves and details.

And, this one, on my hubby's side (I NEEDED the bigger one, you see) came from the same Grandma as the chair.

Both of these table were stained wood when I got them, and I agonized for awhile over the decision to paint them.

Here's my first piece of advice: PAINT!

Spray paint doesn't cover up memories, but it does cover old wood and highlight beautiful details. These tables might have been different colors, but my MAD LOVE for them matched perfectly.

Oh...then there's this pitcher. My great aunt poured the milk on my cereal with this pitcher. I pour milk on my kids' cereal with this pitcher. My kids will pour milk on their kids cereal with this pitcher. Now THAT'S what heirlooms are for.

In our den sits Grandma's piano. The only song I remember her playing on this piano is "How Great Thou Art." It's her favorite.

My great grandfather made these alphabet blocks for his daughters, my grandmother and great aunt. I would display these even if typography wasn't so HOT in home decor right now. There are little pencil drawings on several letters. I bet they got in SO much trouble for that.

Of course, my favorite letter gets a place of honor.

Which brings me to my second piece of advice: use and display your heirlooms! Generations of our families have loved and used these treasures, why do we think we have to pack them away to honor them?

You know what my favorite family heirlooms are? That same grandma and great aunt, who are 85 and 88 years young, and still on this earth making sure we all behave.

Have a fabulous weekend everyone.

P.S. I'm also linking up to Hooked on Friday at Hooked on Houses.