Practical Ideas for Impractical Pieces

by Mandi on August 16, 2010

candlestands-tray_300-rs

source: Real Simple

I’ve shared before that I don’t think sentimental or heirloom pieces should be locked away. While I understand the need to protect certain pieces, I think we get much more joy from them when we actually use them. Real Simple.com has an article called “Simple, Practical Uses for Silver,” and I loved their ideas for using silver around your home in unique ways. It also got me thinking about other ways to incorporate family heirlooms and antiques — as well as pieces like china and crystal that may not be used every day — into our home decor.

lamp-table_300-rs

source: Real Simple

steel-pot_300-rs

source: Real Simple

1. Hang china on the wall in dining rooms, kitchens and even bedrooms as beautiful wall art.

2. Frame silverwear and hang it on the wall a la Nesting Place.

3. Use a crystal vase or tray to add an element of surprise and sophistication to casual kitchens and bathrooms.

source: Design*Sponge

source: Design*Sponge

4. Make candles out of old tea cups to give as gifts or brighten up a guest room.

5. Use silver trays to show off a collection.

Do you have any heirlooms or antiques displated in your home in unique ways rather than stored in a cabinet where they’re unused and unappreciated?

Mandi Ehman at Organizing Your Way

  • Affiliate
  • email
  • Print
  • Twitter
  • StumbleUpon

  • Barbara

    My grandmother gave each of her 9 granddaughters a plate from the set she received as a wedding gift 60 years before. It is a beautiful, expensive, gold rimmed plate. It has hung on my kitchen wall for 8 years. I am so glad I put it up, otherwise it would be in a drawer or box, who knows where. {Waiting for who knows what!}

  • Barbara

    My grandmother gave each of her 9 granddaughters a plate from the set she received as a wedding gift 60 years before. It is a beautiful, expensive, gold rimmed plate. It has hung on my kitchen wall for 8 years. I am so glad I put it up, otherwise it would be in a drawer or box, who knows where. {Waiting for who knows what!}

  • http://www.tangreen.net tan@tan/green

    I love actually using the pieces I have – mostly collected from our wedding or at yard sales (those are antiques or collectibles). The fun is in seeing the pieces in action. But I like the idea of displaying pieces that have been handed down…there are some items too precious to expose to my clumsy table manners! It works for other heirlooms too – we have my grandfather’s baritone as part of a larger instrument display.
    .-= tan@tan/green´s last blog ..Returning Home =-.

  • http://www.tangreen.net tan@tan/green

    I love actually using the pieces I have – mostly collected from our wedding or at yard sales (those are antiques or collectibles). The fun is in seeing the pieces in action. But I like the idea of displaying pieces that have been handed down…there are some items too precious to expose to my clumsy table manners! It works for other heirlooms too – we have my grandfather’s baritone as part of a larger instrument display.
    .-= tan@tan/green´s last blog ..Returning Home =-.

  • http://mommyspiggytales.com Janna @ Mommy’s Piggy TALES -

    I have a yellow and brown gingham cookie jar from my grandmother that she got as a wedding present and it traveled across the seas when I was living overseas. It was a risk I was wiling to take b/c if I left it in the states I wouldn’t see it anyway. I enjoyed having him on my counter for many years instead of in storage.
    .-= Janna @ Mommy’s Piggy TALES – Record YOUR Youth´s last blog ..Eighth Grade Featured Tales =-.

  • http://mommyspiggytales.com Janna @ Mommy’s Piggy TALES – Record YOUR Youth

    I have a yellow and brown gingham cookie jar from my grandmother that she got as a wedding present and it traveled across the seas when I was living overseas. It was a risk I was wiling to take b/c if I left it in the states I wouldn’t see it anyway. I enjoyed having him on my counter for many years instead of in storage.
    .-= Janna @ Mommy’s Piggy TALES – Record YOUR Youth´s last blog ..Eighth Grade Featured Tales =-.

Previous post:

Next post: