Nine Design Professionals Reveal Their Cherished Family Artifacts
Southern home decor enthusiasts are renowned for their affinity towards vintage treasures, and many crafty interior designers skillfully incorporate these cherished antiques into their living spaces. Here, eight design experts reveal their favorite antique heirlooms, sharing styling tips for those aiming to introduce a more compelling narrative piece into a more contemporary setting. Furthermore, procuring secondhand stores for your own unique antique can also be an appealing option, appealing to many designers.
01of 08## A Classy Blue Crystal Chandelier
Patricia Sims, the visionary behind design firm Patricia Sims Interiors from Atlanta, Georgia, boasts an all-time favorite antique in the form of an elegant, blue crystal chandelier. Originally hanging above her grandfather's formal dining table, this piece has reignited her passion in her modern eat-in kitchen, now suspended above an oversized glass dining table with a rattan base. Sims's home prioritizes contemporary style; despite this, she managed to secure a spot for this timeless artifact. She esteems the interplay between the classic chandelier and the casual table decor, along with the contrast between the ornate and her original stainless steel countertops, making for a charming juxtaposition.
Sims encourages those apprehensive about fitting antiques into their contemporary spaces to channel their creativity. "When you hold fondness for the piece and its origins, there's always a chic method to introduce it into your dwelling. The grandiosity of antiques should not collide with contemporary design, yet by focusing on the treasure, you can render it stylish and intentional."
02of 08## An Antique Monogrammed Dish
In Lauren Deloach's contemporary family room, an ornate, monogrammed china dish takes center stage. This carriage-engraved china piece dates back to the iconic Essex and Sussex Hotel in Spring Lake, New Jersey, where Deloach, a designer and founder of Lauren Deloach Interiors, had worked during the summer months of 1967. On her wedding day, an elderly pair that had patronised the hotel gifted this tribute dish to Deloach, intrigued by her unique background curiosity. Over the years, Deloach has showcased the treasure in various arrangements in her residence, drawing upon her family's history and love story as inspiration.
03of 08## A Well-loved Silver Trinket Box
Sara Ledgerwood, owner of design studio Calliope Designs in Dallas, proudly houses an antique sterling silver trinket box that belonged to her great-grandmother. This cherished family heirloom graces her guest bedroom and is often utilised as a decorative accent. Ledgerwood attributes their shared love for fine aesthetics and appreciation for classic pieces to this heirloom.
04of 08## An Old Weathered Chest
Deborah Davis, a pioneer in antiques and President of **Davis & Davis Antiques, of Charlottesville, Virginia, adores an old weathered chest that has been passed down from generation to generation. This chest is now a focal point of her upscale living room, perfectly complementing the room's mix of antique and modern accents.
Davis suggests that, when remodeling or renovating, preserving and showcasing beloved antiques should be prioritized. Indeed, antiques can contribute to the richness and diversity of the overall design. She observes that heirlooms can often fill specific vacancies in the home,, such as sprawling armoires, or functioning as desirable, unique art pieces.
05of 08## A Peculiar Ancient Blackboard
A quirky blackboard, imbued with a rustic charm, has become a fave decorative piece of Danielle Carter, CEO and Founder of Danielle Carter Designs in Memphis, Tennessee. Originating from an old schoolhouse, this artifact lends a historical air to Carter's home, with occasional humor thrown in by serving as a makeshift memo pad for her and her family.
06of 08## An Antique Rug with Varied Patterns
Julie Smith Marcus, chief Designer and stylist of Julie Smith Marcus Designs, and founder of Redbook shares her enduring admiration for a colorful Persian rug that has imbued her home with a sultan-like charm. This antique rug entices visitors with its vivid hues and enticing design, providing excellent grounding among mid-century modern furniture and decor.
07of 08## An Antique Hand-painted Tin Sign
Holly Williams, renowned designer and author of The Southern C Cottage, highlights an antique hand-painted tin sign that has captivated her for years. This sign, which was once adorned her grandparents’ farm, adds quaint flair to her enchanting, lake-side home.
08of 08## An Artistic Print from the 1700s
Suzanne LaRue, CEO of design studios LaRue Dahlman & Assoc. and Stories from Home, cherishes a rare 1700s print from the esteemed Italian art collection, Procaccini. LaRue sees this print as a representation of her own roots and an ideal blend of history and family heritage.
In conclusion, incorporating cherished antiques into contemporary settings can lead to distinctive, personalized spaces which evoke stories, history, and family legacies. So, forget the warehouse stores and explore more unique, vintage treasure troves for that one-of-a-kind piece that can truly add character and meaning to your home.
Eddings suggests that aside from reupholstering, there are various methods to revive an heirloom item, extending its lifespan. "Freshening up an aged chest with a marble top or new hardware is an excellent approach to give it a contemporary feel without needing to perform a substantial overhaul," she explains.
06 of 09## A Timeless Wine Cabinet
When Whitney Sturge was a child, she was captivated by her grandma's stunning antique wine cabinet located in the sunroom alongside a game table. "I cherished how the front 'secret compartment' (or what I believed to be a hidden compartment) would open, revealing a magnificent mirrored back," recalls the Charlotte, North Carolina, based founder of Whitney Sturge Interiors. "It used to feature colorful cocktail stirrers that hung on either side, which I thought were exquisite!" Today, the cabinet serves as a home for her husband's bourbon collection within her living room.
07 of 09## An Exotic Samovar
From her mother-in-law, who had resided overseas for several years, Carla Aston obtained an exquisite samovar crafted in Iran. "I adored this peculiar item in her home; she possessed numerous unique items collected from various corners of the world," reflects Aston, the founder of Carla Aston Designed in The Woodlands, Texas. "The radiant brass and embellished form always drew attention placing it near her fireplace," adds Aston, mentioning that she also keeps it beside her own fireplace.
08 of 09## An Antique Desk Transformed into a Bathroom Vanity
There is always an opportunity to incorporate special pieces into your home that can be treasured for generations. "While crafting our custom-built home, I took keen interest in acquiring pieces that would ultimately become our family's heirlooms, regardless of their origin," explains Jessica Williamson. She came across an antique desk from Chartreuse & Co located in Frederick, Maryland. "I simply knew it would be the ideal piece for our powder room and would serve us in a genuinely significant manner," says the founder of JTW Design in Richmond, Virginia.
09 of 09## An American Butternut Breakfast Cabinet
Jessica Stambaugh, the founder of Jessica Stambaugh Interiors in Nashville, Tennessee, made the decision to obtain a piece that would hold value throughout her own generations. During her twenties, she and her mother ventured to Brimfield Flea Market near her childhood home, where she found an antique American butternut breakfast cabinet with original glass doors. The piece has since moved among Stambaugh's various residences and now stands in her Nashville kitchen. "I believe that's the essence and challenge of any heirloom – it carries personal significance, and often multiple generational meanings, so you must figure out a way to make it fit, and shine," Stambaugh says. "Having that cabinet in my Nashville home now reminds me of family, our shared love of antiquing, and where I come from."
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- The blue crystal chandelier from Patricia Sims's grandfather's formal dining table is now a cherished antique that adds a timeless touch to her modern eat-in kitchen, demonstrating how antique pieces can fit into contemporary spaces.
- Laura Deloach, a designer and founder of Lauren Deloach Interiors, has an ornate monogrammed china dish from the Essex and Sussex Hotel in her contemporary family room, reminding her of her unique background and the history of her family.
