Tuesday, November 24, 2009

I stared through the window of the storage room next to an antique shop in Old St. Charles, Missouri.

The items were "not quite good enough" to make it into the main parlor. I have a feeling that the original owners may have felt differently. Years ago these "2nd rate" items adorned the living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens of homes...homes of real people. Lamps with stained shades and frayed wires once lit a small living room...the owners so proud of the new electric service just installed. Wooden folding chairs that were brought out of the closet for the small ones to sit on at Thanksgiving gatherings or wakes for loved ones who had passed. Odd to us today but the copper pineapple on the table made visitors feel welcomed upon entering a home.

The potbellied stove kept a family warm on cold Winter nights...this stove served it's family well, now cast aside. The hand carved hawk...not the best handiwork but a labor of love probably made of wood native to the farm where it was proudly displayed. The handmade wooden box next to the stove was in bad repair but due to the hand cut dovetail joints...it still was capable of holding the tools that made it. And last but surely not the least of the items...the timeworn table in the foreground still sturdy after years of meals, family discussions and neighborly gatherings continues to be useful even today.

There is a great article by an Author named Jackie Curtis...I know nothing of her but her article relays so well my feelings about this room...I stumbled onto the article by accident. From now on...when I go to an Antique Store...the first question I am going to ask is "Can I look at your articles in the storage room"?

Dan

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've a little award for you! Details are on my blog.

Hugs,
Jen

The Lly Dilettante said...

The copper pineapple is lovely. And the stove on the left too.

dianne said...

I love old furniture and collectibles, I have a few myself which I treasure, they all hold a special memory for me or have a story attached.
I also have some modern furniture and nic nacs, I guess you would say my collection is an eclectic mix of various eras.
I wouldn't part with any of them, they will go to my children who share my interest.
Have a Happy Thansgiving dear Dan. ♡

Dan Felstead said...

Jennifer thanks so much and I am off to your blog!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving with your family.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Lly...my favorite is the the stove as well.
Thanks ,

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Dianne thanks for the well wishes and as we prepare for Thanksgiving tomorrow, there will be a special bit of thanks offered up for all you guys out there in blog land...I really appreciate your visits.

Dan

DawnTreader said...

Interesting black-and-white picture... I have a few old items that are dear to me but when the day comes to sort out things after my parents - we'll have to be very harsh. I couldn't even fit another cup into my cupboards without throwing out something else instead!

septembermom said...

There are so many treasures to focus on in this terrific picture. I love the black and white. It brings such dignity and distinction to the objects.

Dan Felstead said...

Dawn Treader...I know what you mean about space! But don't be too quick to throw away things in mass...years from now, you will be glad to look back on some of those items that was once held by mom or dad.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Septembermom...that is exactly why I processed it in black and white...to keep the focus on the objects instead of any brightly colored items. Great observation.

Dan

Valerie said...

Great black and white study, Dan. I could roam round that room until kingdom come and still find something I hadn't seen before.

Dan Felstead said...

Thanks Valerie...you and I BOTH like to rummage through rooms like this!

Dan

DawnTreader said...

Dan, I know. I already have a number of "family heirlooms" which I do treasure. To keep TOO many inherited things though... would make me feel like I was living in a museum rather than living my own life...

Dan Felstead said...

Dawn Treader...Ok...good point!

Dan

Cynthia L. H. said...

I would love to have any one of these items in my home now. I like items with a history.
;^)

Sunny said...

Many treasures are found in storage rooms. I could spend a few hours wandering around looking at everything.
I like the feeling B & W gives this picture.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Sunny :)

Sunny said...

...if only the items could talk.