When I was but a wee adolescent, my family bestowed upon me my very first (and only) family heirloom — the importance of which was pressed upon me about as firmly as was their expectations that I received good grades and behaved myself at school. What was this precious gift? Well, a crocheted table runner, of course. Just exactly what every thirteen-year-old girl hopes for, right? Terrified that something might happen to the antique table runner that my great-grandmother had so lovingly made, I packed it away and hid it in a cedar chest. I had forgotten all about that table runner until I moved into a new home and unpacked my old chest. I was then faced with the decision — pack it up again with my antique spoon collection? Or put it out for display?
My first thought was to use the runner for a tablescape on my dining room table. But it looked so sad positioned there, too short to make it to either end of the table, and always needing moved when it was time to eat. (I couldn't imagine splattering spaghetti sauce or red wine on the dear thing!) Eventually I settled on placing it on my 3x4 foot coffee table, where it provides a nice anchor for magazines and books, while still leaving enough room for drinks and such to reside on the either end of the table.
My family was a bit shocked that I have placed it out in the open, where it is susceptible to a tipped wine glass or knocked-over coffee cup. However, I have let go of that fear, and I'm quite happy that it's out in the open for me to see every day, and for my visitors to admire. I think grandma would be happy it's getting some use, don't you?
What sort of family heirlooms do you have stored away that you could be using for display in your home?
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It looks great with your apartment! I agree -- there's no point in having family heirlooms or valuables if you don't actually enjoy them. Having things too expensive or too precious to be used is a waste. They're just things after all - and things are supposed to be used and enjoyed. Kudos for getting some pleasure out of something that could easily be languishing in a closet. :)
That looks good for that table! My grandma has loads of those all over, my mom too! In the right context they are nice!
One of my favorite heirlooms is a carnival glass vase that was my great-grandmothers. I put flowers in it all the time, but I make sure to put it somewhere it would be very hard to knock over! I also use my grandmother's teacups all the time. One day they will wear too much to be used anymore, but by then I'll be a grandmother and MY teacups will be heirlooms!
where on earth did you buy that beautiful sofa and loveseat?
Your grandmother didn't make that for it to be sealed away in plastic and boxes. The greatest compliment you can pay to a crafter/knitter/crocheter (or their memory) is to use the items they lovingly made and gave away. They're meant to be used, not put under glass! I love when the items I've made for family and friends are used. My mom saves everything I make for her for "special occasions" and it drives me bonkers.
It's Amanda here.
Lisa, Scotch Guard is a great idea! I always thought I could bleach it if something happened... but bleach is so wearing on fibers, I really wouldn't want to do that.
onomatopoeias, I found the sofa set on Craigslist. :)
NOOOOO bleach on old linens except as a last resort! I suggest old-style non-bleach soakers (the ones made for diapers) plus (not too much) sun. This is what I used for all the linen napkins and tea towels I've inherited and use instead of paper stuff. While newer items that I've picked up fade away with this treatment the older fabric items are more robust and do well.
And if my previous comment didn't make it clear: I'm all for using what you inherit. (Although I'm always careful to say to my mother when she gifts me some precious something: you know I'm going to use this, right? It will get dirtied and cleaned. She's happy with it, even if she's not up for giving heirlooms that treatment herself.)
As a knitter, I think your great-grandmother would be very happy to see you using it this way. If I made something for someone and they never used it, I certainly wouldn't make anything for them again. You also seem to be treating it respectfully.
Out for display, but maybe with a twist on the original purpose so things don't look old-fashioned. I have an old sheet music cabinet with a mirrored top that I use in my bathroom to store towels, for example. And a bunch of my great-grandma's old hatpins arranged like a bouquet in a small vase in the bathroom.
As long as you love them, use them! Heirlooms are a great way to make any place feel unique, even if most of the furniture is from West Elm or Ikea :)
Out (carefully) for display. Nothing in high traffic areas.
I think it looks great there -- it would be a shame if you didn't display it like that. You can always put it away if you're having large gatherings or drinking red wine to be safe, but it should definitely be out as often as possible
Great post! I love displaying heirlooms! I recently inherited a book of Victorian prints (la mode illustree) and while I know the book would have been more valuable kept in together, I took out the beautiful illustrations and framed them. Now I can see and admire them throughout my house instead of having yet another book that I rarely look at. After all, an object's value is really only important if you plan on selling it. If you plan on keeping it, use it and enjoy it.
The few I have only get moved if there are children coming over or people who would be clumsy and not know it's worth.
I've always used what's been handed down to me because that way I can think of the person that it came from every time I see it. I do try to keep them out of harm's way but have lost a couple of pieces just the same. It made me sad but at least they were used for a hundred years or so and I guess that's a pretty good run.
I think your exactly right, Amanda. What good is a crocheted runner that lasts 100 years with no one to see it? I have both doilies and quilts from my late grandparents and I use them all because that way I can appreciate them.