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The things before me were the stuff I've seen everyday. But from the new vantage point, I was forced to think on the items individually. It all has story, I realized.
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`What catches your eye first?
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For me, it's the Dr Pepper crate. It's my favorite bubbly drink, for starters, and it just happened that this crate was in a pile of things a family member--Hi, Cousin Jean!--gave to me.
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The crate rests on a quilted doll blanket. It was my husband's grandmother's when she was a girl, growing up in the '30's. Very cool. And the end table it covers belonged to my parents. I adopted the table, painted it white, and it lived in my girls' room for a time, before I repainted it brown and it found this home between couch and loveseat.
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In the crate are books. Really, no surprise there. They're mostly coffee-table books; home decor and trivia, some were gifts, the rest I've picked up in hodge-podge places. I love the look of the many grouped together. That front book, The Trellis and the Seed, is a book for all ages, about faith and growth. It's written by one of my favorite authors, Jan Karon. (You'll find a link to her website in my sidebar.)
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The lamp base was my uncle's. (If you were around a year ago, you may have read my post about him.) The shade--it took me months to find one big enough--came from a church rummage sale, a quarter.
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Can you see the globe in the back? It was another thing I waited months to find. Globes are aplenty in antiques and thrift stores, but they're also expensive. This one is from FAO Schwartz, had a high original price, but I found it at the DAV thrift for $8.98. I love that patience is my friend with these sorts of things.
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And there's that stick at the left. It might be the most important piece. It was my dad's walking stick, and I love that it's in my living room.
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Have you ever just looked, and considered the things that occupy your everyday world? What stories do they tell?
26 comments:
I did a post on The Trellis and the Seed a few months go--wonderful book.
I am drawn to the photos on the wall in a room--they usually reveal quite a bit about the occupants.
Wow, Janna! What a wonderful collection of family treasures! I think those kinds of decorations are the best! They offer stories and meaning to our lives and to our children!
Love the pussy willows! Brings back many fond memories of springtime in New England.
Enjoy filling my office room with all things that bring comfort, enjoyment and wonderful memories.
I think I would feel really cozy in your living room--it is warm and comfortable with items that have meaning. THat's what is missing in many homes I visit. I love the history behind pieces and the stories they tell. I think you would find similar things when you visit my house:) Each item has a past.
Okay, now that's just cool.
My favorite: the walking stick, of course with the Dr. Pepper crate getting honorable mention.
Did I just hand out awards to your furniture? ;0
~ Wendy
How interesting. I'd never thought about each object having a story, but you're right they do. Enjoyed your post.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
I am a total garage sale junkie. I love your mixing old with new! :O)
Adore all of the much loved, sentimental things. Those are what makes your house, your HOME.
Great post. It makes you want to take a closer look at your surroundings.
Love the lamp but Crate caught my eye first.
I was immediately drawn to the Dr. Pepper Crate. Old wooden worn things like that appeal to me. I love antiques, they speak of a simpler more elegant time.
It's always the little things that capture our eyes and hold us enraptured in memories embrace. (Hugs)Indigo
I put a lot of thought into the objects that decorate my writing room. I love it, although I wish I had the money right now to reupholster my sofa with something funkier.
Things do tell the best stories, don't they? They can be more truthful than the people themselves. Beautifully-looking corner, especially when it is charged with so much meaning.
What a fun little exercise! I love things with stories (and stories about things).
OMG I love the Dr. Pepper crate! My living room isn't near as interesting as yours as it's kid proofed for Mr. Grumpybutt and mostly filled with movies and video games.
I can haz yur room, please. K, thanx.
I love that picture and the story behind the objects. I love to sit in rooms with items all around and find out where they all came from. So fun! My eye definitely went to the Dr. Pepper crate first, too :)
What great stories! Thanks for sharing and for making me think (as all your posts do). It's tough in my house because my husband was there for 6 years before I moved in, so a lot of the stuff tells his story, not mine or ours. But, that's evolving, and the house is becoming ours. I love the stories behind all my husband's stuff. Just a few objects tell a lot about him.
I love the detail in the picture. The crate is awesome.
It was the Dr. Pepper crate for me as well--and I don't drink them!!
Something about the design!!!
Yes, I surround myself with paintings and mementos.
A rock from Mt. Tao. A bayou scene for What the Bayou Saw, a kaleidoscope painting for Irishwoman. A Scott Mutter poster to remind me of my mission field.
Tea
Candles
clocks
CDs
photos
I'll stop now!
Blessings,
Patti
Ohh, good ideas everywhere. I love this post. Most everything does have a story, unless it's one of my impulse buys...I noticed the book.
Hi Janna -
Great post! I love personal items that have meaning and history. It's what makes a house feel like a home.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Looking around me from my chair - laptop on lap - I see lots of unfinished projects. Books to read, a manuscript to write, a prayer shawl 1/4 of the way knitted.
Can I come look at your view instead? My eyes gravitated first to the book cover, and then enjoyed following along. Lovely collection. Very comforting.
Very well written, Janna. Dr. Pepper makes me think of high school. Takes me right back.
Great post. I love the treasures you have shared, thanks.
I have my grandfathers's stick at the top of my stairs, it sits alongside my gran's cabinet. I love looking at them every day.
Very interesting post. I think it would be a good personal and creative exercise for us to examine the everyday things in our lives. I think you gave me a post topic! Thanks Janna!
It's beautiful...Reminds me of a children's story "The Rag Coat" about a quilt coat with the patches of everybody's lives.
Beautiful corner! Home decorating for the soul!
Oh, I love this story and all its elements. And I love how you've put them together in such a visually and emotionally pleasing way. The book drew my eye after the light - the light was first. I often sit in my living room, or office, or ponder as I do dishes, my versions of these treasures and hold their stories close.
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