apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Both my mom and my grandma were modernists, so I don't have any charming textiles or knick knacks coming to me. (White laquered Parsons tables don't exactly scream "heirloom"). I buy other people's heirlooms on eBay. I love my collection of embroidered pillowcases and mismatched blue-and-white china. And I USE all of them, since I don't have to worry about damaging grandma's treasures.

My grandmother recently downsized into an apartment from a 4 bedroom place she had lived in since 1954. She was really pleased that her children and grandchildren were eager to use posessions that she had loved.

I was able to bring home beautiful lamps, 60's porcelain pieces, yards and yards of vintage raw silk and lots of bits and pieces for the kitchen. Everytime I use one of these items I'm reminded to call my grandmother.

I inherited a house full of furniture, books, dishes, art, etc. from my parents and grandparents, can't imagine life without it! I sold the stuff not to my taste, but kept many many things. My taste was heavily influenced by my grandma who collected early American furniture and bought her clothes at Bergdorf's in the 1950s.

When my husband and I got married, we "registered" (in this order) for nothing, our favorite charities, heirlooms, antiques (via ebay), and, lastly, conventional stores. We got some wonderful things like old sterling spoons and julep cups, and a whole set of blue willow china!

I love old things too and my kitchen has a bunch of stuff that's older than me.

I collected a bunch of Pyrex "Colorware" stuff, including mixing bowl set (the 4Pc w/ the large yellow bowl), refigerator sets, stuff like that. I have some hand me downs too from my Mom and a few others I've known well over the years, A couple of things my Dad either made or had made etc. A hanging bookcase he made right after we moved back to Washington St in 1969-70 I now have and a lamp that he had made out of an old bomb casing from Vietnam and I have their old living room lamps, made from old Thai candlesticks that he broght back from his tour of Vietnam, and one item that's unusual is the ash tray from an old 60's era C141 cargo plane that a military friend once flew back then. He had it mounted in a nice wooden base that is angled in a very modern way. I just love it and it sits on the low table that supports the bomb lamp and the turntable.

One of the hand me downs I use often and have great sentimental love for is my moms aqua sunbeam mixer that has made a many a birthday cake for me, her mid C baby and in my mid C, is still mixing. My child recently mangled the beaters and I need to order some replacements. I like the new sunbeam mixer that looks retro. I have quilts made by my grandma and great grandma and a very old medical book my great grandma used, filled with strange medical beliefs of the 1800's.

I've got a whole box full of embroidered pillowcases and tablecloths from my grandmother. I also have her berry bowls and a salad server set. I'd love to have her rolling pin but my Mom doesn't want to part with it.

When I had to move my parents from a 2 bedroom flat into a 1 bedroom apartment (landlord sold the flat, that's another story), I had to help them get rid of 30 years of goods.

In the midst of packing & moving I found some wonderful Japanese treasures that my maternal grandmother (who collected Japanese art). Needless to say our home is now filled with Japanese and mid century goodies. Oh and musn't forget...a dash of my husband's family photos from the vaudeville days.