If you could put a name on my decorating style – if I had a style, I guess it would be “country”. Nothing fancy in our house – not if I can help it.
I like old things: old furniture, old quilts, old baskets, old pictures. Motor Man says that’s why I love him so much. (Because he’s old…..get it? I didn’t say it: he did.)
Although everything in our home is special for one reason or another, there are a few pieces that are especially dear to my heart.
My daddy was a carpenter, and made this china cabinet for my grandmother, probably in the 1940’s. I was a teenager when Grandma died, so this passed on to my Mom, who in turn, gave it to me when I married. It still has a certain “wood” smell when you open the doors: a smell that I remember from my childhood, when it was in Grandma’s kitchen.
Daddy also made this little crib, back in the 1930’s, when my Mom was expecting their first baby. It is now home to some of my childhood dolls, as well as Marshall’s favorite “blankie” from his childhood.
This was my Mom’s Singer treadle sewing machine. She made her clothes, as well as mine when I was growing up. She sewed lots of clothes for my baby dolls and even clothes for my Barbies. I can remember sitting on the side (when the top was opened) and watching her sew. Did you know there’s a web-site to help you determine the age of your Singer sewing machine? Mine dates from 1914. My mother was 4 years old that year.
Motor Man’s first wife passed away in 1997, but her mother lived another ten years. Which meant that I was fortunate to have her in my life. She and I “adopted” each other and became very close. This cupboard was hers, and upon her death, her granddaughter graciously passed it on to us.
Old furniture has so much history. I wish these pieces could talk. Just think of the stories they could tell. Think of all the events they’ve seen through the years.
I wouldn’t dream of trading any of them for the finest new furniture in the world.
these days of mine 
I can’t believe I’ve never seen that crib before…or perhaps I did and don’t remember. As you know, your furniture is not the only OLD thing in your life!
June – you SLEPT in that crib! Although you probably wouldn’t remember that…. you’ve just forgottten it – we had it in the living room for Marshall when he was a baby.
Told you “furniture is not the only OLD thing in your life”!! That crib is NOT the only thing I’ve forgotten, I’m sure!
I love your “old” furniture. My mom had a sewing machine like this but gave it to my brother. When you have 3 brothers and 3 sisters, old heirlooms have to be divided up……sob!!
All very special pieces… but I remember the china cabinet most of all… For many years I passed it every time I came down the hallway from my room .. & that cabinet’s the perfect spot for the Wedgewood plate; another special item to you!
These are all treasures you could never buy or replace. I have a few pieces of my Mother’ s and Grandmother Matthews’s things that means the world to me.