Transform Your Memories Into Something You’ll Love
I bet you all have vintage items hiding around your home that have sentimental value. It may be as large as a piece of furniture or as small as a collection of buttons. You inherited it from your mom, your grandma, or your aunt and you’ve stuffed it away because who’s going to blow their nose on a handkerchief anymore? And besides, it’s an antique and may be worth a ton of money on antique roadshow, right?
Today I’m going to encourage you to get out that collection, that sentimental piece of whatever and try to think what you could do to it to actually enjoy it!
Because the hard truth is, your kids are not going to have that same memory about this item. They maybe never even got to meet your grandma and just won’t be sentimental about her buttons…or whatever! And the chances of making a ton of money from some bobbles your grandpa collected? Would you sell them if you’re that sentimental about them?
If you’re storing something you just really don’t like, then go ahead and make some money and buy something you do like! But if your heart’s reminding you how your Grandma used to set a pretty table with these dishes, or this pretty, tarnished flatware, how about coming up with a creative way to enjoy your memories in a new, fresh way?
If you’ve got a stash of sentimental items, here are some questions to ask yourself to get the ideas going:
What would make me want to enjoy this collection/item in my home or for special occasions?
Fight the responsible voice inside your head that is telling you you shouldn’t change this item in any way-cut, glue, sand, sew. Oh no, you’re going to change it from it’s original usage! But honestly…are you using it or enjoying it hiding away in that closet for the last 10 years? And if you’re not using it, do you really think your kids are going to want it?
Decide what you like about the item and what you don’t.
I liked my Grandma’s hankie collection, but never used them for anything. I liked the seasonal colors and patterns, but their original use had long been retired once kleenex was created! They’re kind of fussy for my house on a daily basis to be laying around and collecting dust, but recreating them into something I could use on a special tablescape sounded appealing to me! Hence, my “Valentine Handkerchief Charger”. Once I got over the horror of cutting them and realized I would enjoy them so much more when they were recreated, I was excited! And besides, this Grandma called all her stuff “old junk” anyway!
I liked my husband’s Aunt’s unusual chest and remembered her telling the story of how her father cut down the legs and rebuilt this piece. I didn’t like the horrible shiny lacquer finish and the boring wooden knobs, so I refreshed the whole piece and gave it some of my personality {“Refreshing a Family Heirloom”}.
Years ago I sewed some of my other Grandma’s treasure trove of buttons onto pillows, fashioning them into hearts and flowers. If they were hidden away in a closet somewhere, I’d never be able to appreciate them. Every time I pull out my Valentine Button Pillows I am reminded of my dear Grandma and Grandpa who were married on Valentine’s Day. And then I remember what a beautifully, talented sewer my Grandma was and how much she taught me!
See beyond the items original use.
Pretend you’re from outer space and you’re just looking at this item for the first time, not knowing what it’s original use is. Purposely set it down differently than how it usually is to challenge your ideas. That’s how I came up with the idea for my “Sewing Machine Drawer Kitchen Organizer”.
Enjoy your vintage items as art en masse!
Dishes don’t have to be eaten on, they can be hung on a wall in an appealing, fresh design! Beautiful vintage silverware looks lovely when bunched in an old pitcher or crock. Every time you see the pretty patterns, you’ll be reminded of that beloved family member.
If you’re not crazy creative, don’t worry; just know that you can use your sentimental vintage pieces in a fresh, new way and enjoy them! I wear my Grandma’s vintage jewelry with my modern jeans and a t-shirt and always get compliments. And in between wearing them, I can enjoy them as decor on a fun jewelry display!
Do you have some sentimental collections that you’ve been storing? How can you transform them in their use, function or beauty so you can enjoy them (or it) in your everyday or for special occasions?
Here are the 4 questions/ideas to consider to spur your ideas:
What would make me want to enjoy this collection/item in my home or for special occasions?
Decide what you like about the item and what you don’t.
See beyond the items original use.
Enjoy your vintage items as art en masse!
Pinterest is a great source for ideas, but just staring at the item for a couple of days with these questions in your mind can also inspire your thinking!
Sharing at these lovely parties:
Wow Us Wednesdays
I love all these ideas! I really enjoy my memories and have them out where I can see them, but I love that you repurposed them into something usable.
🙂 gwingal
Thanks, Nikki! So glad you’re enjoying your memories, too!
I wholeheartedly agree and I love how you have used your collections! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm! Pinning!
You got me to thinking about how I am going to use all of my stuffs before I die. I suppose I have another 10 or 20 years, but I have 50 years of stuff to use!!! lol
Too funny, Fonda! I think we can all relate, but once you start, you’ll be so happy with the results!
Such fun items from “junk”
Thanks, Glady! What I love to do!