What's old is new; repurposing some of my grandparents' things

10 years ago

My grandfather passed away yesterday and, ironically, I received a call just before he died letting me know that the footstool I had picked up from his condo/apt when moving him out this weekend was ready to be picked up (I had it cleaned up and reupholstered to match my living room).

Great memories of my childhood. I used to sit on it and spin around their living room as a kid. I'll try to find some pictures of it way back in the day.

It's about 40-50 years old, and I'm so glad I saved it. I used a navy velvet to match the rug and the new navy velvet chair, and a cord that the local trim place helped me pick out to match the rug and wall colors. It's kind of strange because now my living room has a 55-year-old Century coffee table (weighs a ton) and two Baker end tables, the footstool, and the weirdly shaped burled mirror I hung yesterday, all of which were my grandparents. I think they'd be proud of the care I've taken of them and the fact that they've found a good home. (The rest of their furniture (all really good furniture that remains in good condition) and rugs are scattered among the rest of the family.)

without flash and into light from outside:

with flash:

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Comments (27)

livvyandbella
10 years ago
Kevin, my sympathy to you on the loss of your grandfather.
The furniture is beautiful, and all the lovely memories, make it even more so. I know how pleased your grandfather would be to have these in your home. As a grandmother, I know I would be thrilled.
jstrohmanvel
10 years ago
What a wonderful thing to be surrounded by the warm memories and love of your grandparents. Your room is warm and lovely. That footstool is gorgeous!
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My grandma taught my Mom who repeated it to me, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all!" and... "If you look hard enough, you can find some good in every one." My Grandma (her pet name for me was "Obbie"...for some reason, I didn't pronouce "Grandma" and "Awe-bee" was the name she answered to when I was a small child. Even her neighbors & lots of friends called her "Obbie" throughout the years of my growing up. She was a "hired girl" on farms when she was a teenager...she was married and divorced at a young age...she was widowed after another marriage to my grandpa of 26 yrs...she worked in a bakery, she operated a cafe, she ironed clothes in her home for other families...she was always a HARD worker!...she passed that on to her 3 daughters & family. Here are some of my precious memories of my Grandma, Obbie that I wrote back in 1984 for a genealogy book my Mom created: In the back yard, Obbie had lots of flower gardens. I once found the cactus garden with my bare feet when I jumped a fence playing (where I shouldn't have been)! There were also lots of sour grapes, good ripe strawbeeries and lots of green apples. We were never without homegrown food at Obbie's. And, oh, that homemade jar of strawberry jam. Of course, inside the house, there were always homemade chocolate chip cookies. And on Sundays, the smell of Obbie frying chicken (that my 'grandpa butchered). Anyone was welcome to show up for Sunday dinner! Obbie taught me a few of the things every woman was supposed to know before growing up. The ol' treadle sewing machine put out lots of doll clothes and pin cushions. Crocheting chain stitches (by the miles). Obbie crocheted each grandchild an afghan for graduation. Never being bored at Obbie's, there were always old catalogs for cutting out paper dolls and clothes. (Ok, Gjers, I could go on & on...but I just want you to know that I was very blessed...I was a "crouper" as a child and finally outgrew it at 12 yrs. old...but my Obbie would always come running when I got sick...with "warm 7-up" and hugs. Anyway, I will end this post with a poem I wrote for this genealogy book (she died when my first grandchild was 4 mos. old): "My grandma, Obbie, always had time for her grandchildren. She was never too busy to forget us. I am the lucky one even to have had Obbie for my grandma... If I can be as strong, as you were strong, If I can give, as you have given, If I can be kind, as you always were kind, If I am loved, as you are loved, If I am cherised, as you are cherished, If I am mourned, as you are mourned, Then I can say..my life is truly blessed. Obbie passed on her love for gardening & flowers to me...as my grandpa did also...and my Dad. Here is a pic that I am so fortunate to have of my Grandma holding me in her backyard...I lived in the same household the first 2 yrs. of my life...and her LOVE shaped my life. Ahhh, pretty sentimental stuff...but I enjoyed all of your sharing and wanted to share a bit of this special lady! Thanks, Jeanne S.
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porkandham
10 years ago
I'm sorry for your loss. I'm sure your grandparents would be pleased to know you're taking such good care of their furniture.
Annie Deighnaugh
10 years ago
So sorry to hear about your loss. It's wonderful that you have great memories to hold forever. The footstool is fab!
My3dogs ME zone 5A
10 years ago
I agree that it IS wonderful to have those family pieces, and the foot stool is amazing, as are the others. Looks like very good taste runs in the family. Is that the long mirror to the right of the white door in the 2nd pic above the 'dog in motion'?

There is no doubt that your grandparents would be thrilled to know that their furniture is appreciated still and looks so perfect in your home.
ellendi
10 years ago
These are the things that make a house a home :)
KevinMP
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks, everyone. I forgot the one picture with the mirror. Sorry about that. (As you may know, I'm still fiddling with the doorway to the bathroom and haven't finished sanding and painting the trim areas around it, so please ignore.)
Holly- Kay
10 years ago
Kevin, I'm so sorry for your loss. My grandparents and parents have been gone many years now and I still miss them every day. Your grandfather would be delighted to know that you are using and enjoying some of his furnishings.

I love that fabulous footstool and it looks like your lovely mirror has found a home!
caminnc
10 years ago
So sorry for your loss Kevin. I love your new footstool and mirror, however, I think the mirror could go down a few inches. Your home looks beautiful!
KevinMP
Original Author
10 years ago
The mirror cannot go down a few inches because then I cannot see my head in it. I'm going to try to change how it's hung (getting rid of the wire) because using the wire makes it pitch downward, which makes you have to hang it higher. With the downward pitch, the further away you are, the less you see of yourself in the mirror.
allison0704
10 years ago
I'm sorry for your loss, Kevin. I had a close relationship with all of my grandparents and still miss them daily. The footstool is lovely (the mirror too) and seeing it will keep your memories close to your heart.
alex9179
10 years ago
Aw Kevin, I'm sorry for your loss, as well. I'm very lucky to have 3 of my grandparents living, but still grieve the loss of my grandpa from several years ago.
I have several things from all of them. I love these items and love the memories that rise up when I use them.
dedtired
10 years ago
That stool is a treasure. How wonderful that it not only looks good but is filled with good memories. I'm sure it would make your granfather happy to know that you are enjoying it. I also send you my condolences on the loss of your grandfather.
cat_mom
10 years ago
Kevin, my condolences on the loss of your grandfather.

How wonderful that you have these special items. I am sure you will think of your grandparents often as you use and enjoy the ottoman, mirror, etc. not only is each piece filled with memories, but they all look so nice, and absolutely perfect in your home.

I hope seeing these treasures brings a measure of peace, and only happy memories, as you remember your grandfather in the coming days.
Fun2BHere
10 years ago
My sympathies to you on the loss of your grandfather. I think it's wonderful that you have been able to include items inherited from your family in your decor. I agree with others that vintage and heritage items really add warmth, charm and personality to a room.

As for the mirror, a trick I learned from professional gallery workers is to use two hooks widely separated when hanging with a wire to pull a hanging closer to the wall. Of course, you can also use a French cleat or strap hangers, but you might want to try the two-hook method first to save you some time and effort.
anele_gw
10 years ago
I am so sorry for your loss. How wonderful to have beautiful memories surround you in the form of lovely decor. Please extend my sympathies to your family.
Irish2
10 years ago
I am sorry for your loss, Kevin. The footstool looks great as
does your whole house.
chucksmom
10 years ago
Sorry for your loss, Kevin. Your house is wonderful and it's easy to see with those wonderful pieces where you got your wonderfully good taste from. Enjoy them and the great memories they bring.
beekeeperswife
10 years ago
Kevin, sorry for your loss. You are so lucky to have been able to get to know your grandparents. The last of mine died when I was about 14. And in fact the last one was my grandfather. Unfortunately, we did not have the relationship you described as a child. At all. He was a mean old bigoted Irishman who was a Merchant Marine living in West Philly, my sister had lots of fights with him on his opinions....and he just scared me.

Soooo, I wanted to say that you are so lucky to have such wonderful memories in your heart, and you are also such a good grandson to take those things and give them new life. They are filled with so many memories that I'm sure you will smile whenever you see them. They look beautiful in your home.

Again, my sympathies are with you.

(PS--I believe the house that my grandparents lived in became a MOVE house)
oldbat2be
10 years ago
Very nice thread; what a great piece of furniture you've inherited. Lovely that it dovetails so well with your style. Nothing makes me happier than to use something from someone I love. As a kid and young adult, I remember regularly trying to replace my mom's 'old' things. She never said anything, and always thanked me for the new items, but as an adult, I can now much better understand why she may have been attached to the older ones.

OT - What do you use for a camera? My brother, who's a timber framer by trade (and who photographs the amazing homes he builds) gave me some great advice - set your camera to AV and play with the F Stop. I have a Canon G12; also recommend the G11 highly. Also, get some sort of camera stand. You have a wonderful palette in your home, think you'd have a lot of fun getting the best shot (know I have!). Best, oldbat2be
justgotabme
10 years ago
Kevin, I'm so sorry for you loss. How wonderful you have some furniture pieces full of memories.
As for the mirror instead of removing the wire, could you just add some pads near the bottom on either side to allow the mirror to hang an equal distance from the wall?
maire_cate
10 years ago
Kevin. I'm so sorry to hear about your grandfather.

How wonderful that you can integrate some of his furniture into your home. The footstool and mirror are beautiful pieces and blend seamlessly with your decor.

I didn't realize from your other post that the mirror was that large. You found the perfect place to hang it.
teacats
10 years ago
Deepest condolences on the passing of your dear grandfather .... but what wonderful family treasures you have now! Well loved and used every day -- the best kind of family treasures!

Your home is so gorgeous -- warm and charming!
mtnrdredux_gw
10 years ago
I am so sorry to hear about your grandfather. I am happy that you have such beautiful things to revive those beautiful memories.

And, apparently, there is a gene for good taste!
mtnrdredux_gw
10 years ago
I am so sorry to hear about your grandfather. I am happy that you have such beautiful things to revive those beautiful memories.

And, apparently, there is a gene for good taste!
loribee
10 years ago
Kevin, I'm sorry to hear about your grandfather.
Your home is lovely and adding these special family treasures makes it even more charming....
KevinMP
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you all for your condolences.

In other news, my granite gets ripped out today do they can relevel one if the cabinets in the peninsula where the granite cracked from the heat of the mac and cheese dish last December. Then the new subzero and surrounding cabinetry get installed along with the new granite. So I'll be without a main countertop for several days but will have something good to show for it eventually.

What's old is new; repurposing some of my grandparents' things

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livvyandbella

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