5 Tips for Styling Family Heirlooms in Your Home
Heirlooms have a special place in my heart. And in order to know how to style them in your modern home you should first understand why to value them. Here’s how I see it:
Family heirlooms aren't just pieces of furniture or trinkets; they are repositories of memories, stories and traditions passed down through generations. They represent a thread that weaves together the fabric of our narrative, connecting us to past generations.
Ultimately they remind us of who we are, where we come from, and that neither is by accident. Their value should be gauged by the connections they brought and bring — not by monetary value.
A break from the world of fast furniture, heirlooms have a continuous life cycle and encourage us to adopt a more intentional approach to designing our homes. Heirlooms invite us to become thoughtful curators of our living spaces, and to carefully select items that align with our values, aesthetics, and personal narratives. Incorporating these cherished items into your space adds depth and character, and fosters a sense of continuity — ultimately turning your house into a home.
So here you are, your heirlooms at the ready and a heart full of memories and inspiration. Let's look at all the ways you can integrate these cherished items into your home..
It’s Okay to Make Changes to Family Heirlooms.
Take what was and give it your own special touch. This imbues the item not only with the stories of the past, but a bit of your personal story as well.
Here are just a few suggestions for how to make updates to your heirlooms, but we encourage you to build on these and to get creative.
Refinish wooden pieces to give them a fresh, contemporary look. Consider using lighter or darker stains, or even repainting the item. Update the hardware and maybe even the hardware placement with something more contemporary and sleek.
If you have an heirloom piece of art, change out the frame to something sleek and modern, it will freshen up the piece and bring attention to the art itself.
For upholstered items, consider having them reupholstered with modern fabrics that go with your home’s color schemes.
If it’s the fabric that has cherished memories but the chair springs are too far gone, there are creative ways to turn it into a piece of art. Consider framing a large square of the fabric in a shadow box frame or use the fabric as the “matte” for a framed photo or letter. It can live on in a completely different way!
Repurpose Items with Purpose.
Did you inherit a 12-piece place setting of china from your Great Aunt but never entertain? I promise you are not alone in feeling like you don’t have an everyday use for some of your family heirlooms. Using items in a way that is different from their original purpose is sometimes key to integrating them into your home.
Instead of letting dishes collect dust in a cabinet, use heirloom china and dishware as small catch-alls bowls or plates next to the bed.
Place a basic soap pump on top of a small bread plate by your sink for visual interest (also helps keep dripping soap from running along over the counters).
Use a large antique trunk for the end of the bed to hold extra blankets or your guests’ suitcases when they come to visit.
Turn a large china cabinet or wardrobe into a functional and beautiful bar in your living room. Talk about a conversation starter!
Take your grandmother’s old built-in sewing machine and use it as a functional craft table or art. I can speak from personal experience when I say this is a great solution.
Mix 'em In.
Blending antique pieces with a more modern aesthetic helps to create harmonious contrast. Depending on the age of the heirloom, it may be more ornate or in a color that doesn’t quite fit with your contemporary decor. When you place it next to something with more of an organic, minimalist look, the two will play against each other to create a more balanced look.
Mixing styles in this way highlights the uniqueness of each piece while creating a harmonious blend of past and present. Here are a few ideas for how you can do this in your own home.
Layer an ornate gold frame behind a simple black vase brings depth and interest.
Place a family heirloom chest of drawers next to a sleek, contemporary bed frame.
Display a curated collection of family photos, artwork, and memorabilia on a gallery wall. Mix old photographs with newer ones to tell a visual story of your family’s history. To bring some cohesion, use a consistent color scheme for the frames.
Highlight Statement Pieces in Your Home.
Whether it's a stunning antique mirror, a handcrafted quilt, or a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork, give these treasures the attention they deserve by placing them in prominent locations within your home. By giving prominence to these heirlooms, you not only honor their history but also infuse your space with character and personality.
For large pieces like antique armoires, pianos or grandfather clocks, make them the focal point of the room. But be mindful to scatter them, as too many large statement pieces in one room can make the space feel dated or too traditional.
Don’t leave them solo! Only having one antique piece might seem out of place. Accompany one large statement piece with a sprinkling of smaller antiques throughout the room to make things feel intentional.
Hang a beautiful heirloom tapestry behind a bed instead of a headboard to show it off as the focal point of the room.
For smaller pieces, create vignettes. Instead of scattering heirlooms randomly throughout your home, create curated vignettes that showcase them in a thoughtful and intentional manner. Group related items together, such as framed family photos or letters, old books, and small craft tools, to create visually cohesive displays. Consider incorporating elements of varying heights, textures, and colors to add dimension and visual interest to your vignettes.
Utilize Heirlooms in Your Everyday life.
Don't relegate family heirlooms to be used as mere decoration. Instead, weave them into your everyday life in meaningful ways. While some items may be too fragile to use daily, many still have a lot of life to give!
If you decide to bring out an antique tea set for your daughter’s princess tea party and a couple of the teacups get chipped, or even broken, you are only adding to their story. Those little chips will then remind you of your daughter twirling in the kitchen and the broken pieces can even be made into a beautiful mosaic pattern on the outside of a vase or pot.
These special pieces were originally created to be a part of our lives, so resist the urge to keep them hidden away and out of use.
Let’s design your home together.
If you are still struggling with how to incorporate a family heirloom into your home, I’m here to help! I love working with my clients to design their home interiors in a way that is intentional and really highlights the story of you and your family.
