Monday, June 3, 2013

Farewell, Little Vintage Kitchen Friends . . .



These were hard won, the 105 little vintage collectibles, hung with hundreds of tiny nails with great care and a bit of creativity a couple of decades ago.  Along the way, they were eagerly gleaned at garage sales and flea markets near and far.  Usually for pennies on the dollar, the thrill of the hunt beckoned often, with the hope of discovering some wonderfully whimsical, well-worn kitchen tool around the next corner.




Fun treasures crafted of wood and tin and aluminum that had done hard service in the last century made my day, gave me huge delight, and reigned supreme on the crown of my kitchen soffits.




In recent days ... maybe not so much.  Liked them?  Yes.  Weary of them all claiming valuable white space?  Yes.  Dusty and greasy?  For sure.


 
 
So when The Nester  threw out the challenge to de-accessorize your home for a month, I knew it was meant for me.  The heavily laden soffits needed to be emptied of their former eye candy.  After a bit of thought, I said 'yes' to the long-awaited invitation.
 



So they're coming down.  Today.  And I know that they're not ascending back up on those nail strewn walls again when the month is over. 




Where they'll go?  Not too sure.  Absorbed into an old basket or a chippy bowl or the white and red enamelware bread tin?  Stored away in a big ol' Rubbermaid container on a basement shelf or maybe sold online?  I haven't a clue.  But that's ok.  All I know is that they're coming down off the walls.  And I'm good with that.




And more than a bit relieved.




Because in this season, I am loving white space.  In every way, shape, and form.  Maybe even more than all the sweet little collectibles that have taken up residence in our home for 37 or so years ...






3 hours later, a P.S. ==>

 
1 month later,  The Follow-Up Post    

~     ~     ~
 
 
 
 
 
 



40 comments:

  1. I am glad you feel good about removing all the kitchen antiques, but I have to say it was part of what made your home so homey! Many family get togethers, many conversations, tears and celebrations happened in that kitchen. I will miss them. Of course, some of them might look good in my kitchen! Enjoy the clean, white spacious feel of the space kitchen - like a clean slate, God has something planned!

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  2. Not to worry ... plenty of goodies still laying around the house, and more than enough conversations and celebrations to come!

    ;-}

    Linda

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    Replies
    1. well said! and Bravo Linda, great post!!!

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    2. Thank you, dear Nester! You jumpstarted me and gave me the kick in the pants to do what I've been wanting to do for a long time. And ... my husband's still in shock!

      ;-}

      Linda

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  3. What's with the tacky plastic basket the antiques are in? Couldn't you have atleast found a nice old basket to put them in? I forgot to sign the last post, so it showed up with Bob's name! It was really from me!

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    Replies
    1. The basket isn't for decoration, it's just to corral the stuff til I can clean it up and put it somewhere, sister dear! And yes, I figured Bob wasn't interested in more stuff for his kitchen!

      ;-}

      Linda

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  4. Some of those things were from my grandmother and I can remember her grating red cabbage and I was always so afraid that she would also slice her fingers. Of course, all of the graters remind me of all the potatoes that I grated for potato pancakes ...

    {via email}

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    Replies
    1. Be sure I will save Grandma's things, Mom. They are priceless!

      Linda

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  5. I think it's so interesting that the people I've told about this are worried my home will no longer be their cozy place to be! Hehehe...talk about unexpected way to get compliments on your hospitality and decorating abilities! I LOVE your antiques...but I totally understand. When I read Nester's challenge I KNEW it was for me! Happy Nekkid June!!

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, Bobbi ... why do we wait til something/someone's gone to say that they've made a difference in our lives?

      Linda

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    2. I agree. Nester gave me the kick in the pants I needed. I love those tools, so fun. Maybe you'll find you just want a smaller more dear collection? If you give items away, see if you can give to people who will use the items. For example, we still using an old Bakelite spatula and an old potato masher like those. In my china cabinet, that needs to be cleared out, I have old worn pepper grinder from my my grandparents. I should start using it.

      Delete
    3. Yep, Jessica, I see a whittled down collection in my future! And I like using what I have, not just keeping it under glass ...

      I love that you've stopped by today!

      Linda

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  6. Replies
    1. The kitchen looked bigger, the ceiling looked higher immediately, Paige!

      Linda

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  7. I suspect you might be able to fund your Christmas shopping if you decided to sell your treasures. I love, love my white space and uncluttered living. I avoid collecting anything because I hate dusting :)

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    Replies
    1. Oh I hate dusting, too, dear friend! You can see the evidence in the final picture with the Adams Family-style cobwebs draped over the green-handled sifter and the wide-mouth tin funnel. GROSS!

      Linda

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    2. I never noticed those webs until you pointed them out :)

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    3. GASP! The camera doesn't lie!

      Linda

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  8. Can't believe you've ditched your kitchen collection...it seemed to be so you...at least the you back then...LOVE how he takes us through the chapters of life shaping and forming us as He writes our stories...

    {via email}

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    Replies
    1. God keeps on creating those storylines, doesn't He ...

      ;-}

      Love it!

      Linda

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  9. This is fascinating - how we all want to grab on, hold on to the collectibles. But they have "value!" Perhaps our evaluation of value needs revision...It does take boldness to make big changes, and you have had the courage to do that. It will be very interesting to see where this thirty day process goes. I hope The Nester does another linky at the end. Thanks for visiting and sharing this process with us.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, Maureen ... this could prove to be a real gamechanger for lots of us ...

      Linda

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  10. AWWWWWW!! I didn't even notice on Monday night. Those treasures were truly YOU (valuable, priceless, practical, decorative, full of memories) but i understand the course that change needs to take.

    Carol

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  11. Don't worry, Buds! You'll surely notice the hundreds of little nails in the walls when you come for dinner!

    Linda

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  12. Its a brave move to take down such an interesting and meaningful collection--will it be going back up at the end of Nekkid June?

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    Replies
    1. Nope ... down to stay ... not sure what I'll be doing with this basketful of goodies, but it does feel good to see the walls crisp and clear!

      Linda

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  13. I totally "get it"...I often de-clutter and take stuff down and clear spaces here and there. The funny thing with me is that is when I usually get some "Divine Inspiration" to create some more!! It's a vicious cycle here :)
    Thanks for your sweet comment on my home tour. Your kind words always make my day :) Blessings to you, Laurel

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    Replies
    1. Hey Laurel ... He is the Creator ... no wonder we continue to get that deep tug to be just a bit creative ourselves! Now how that looks in this season remains to be seen, at least on this end.

      Linda

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  14. What a beautiful collection you had displayed! I love every single piece! I understand wanting a change and decluttering a bit. It's always nice to do that every once and awhile. I can't wait to see what you have planned now!

    Melissa @ Shabby Love

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    Replies
    1. Hey Melissa - A week later, the little treasures remain in the plastic laundry basket in the dining room, waiting to be cleaned and then relocated/stored/reconfigured somehow!

      ;-}

      Linda

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  15. Put them on an etsy shop, you will make some money to buy something else :)
    Susan

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    Replies
    1. mmm ... Etsy ... hadn't thought of that! Thanks, Susan!

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  16. That is a fun collection. Maybe you'll find a way to pare it down, keeping only your most favorite items to display and letting the rest find a new home.
    Aww...change.

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, May ... change can be hard! But I am enjoying more open, clutter-free space around me.

      Thanks for coming by today!

      Delete
  17. What a great post. I mus admit that I have many of those items. I loved collecting them as well. Displaying them ended a number of years ago and my stuff is in the attic. I actually forgot about them until I saw yours. Look at it as a new chapter.
    Have a wonderful week,
    Bev
    @ Eclectic Red Barn

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    Replies
    1. I'm glad to know I'm in good company, Bev! Interesting to me that after you packed them away you forgot about them. Great perspective on how our stuff comes, our stuff goes ...

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  18. Replies
    1. Ah yes, Terri ... 4 months later, pretty much everything has been packed into a box or two and is safely ensconsed in the basement. I'm thinking about gathering more stuff that's been strewn from here to there and calling the auctioneer down the street.

      Now THAT will be brave!

      ;-}

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  19. I see my potato masher. :) Coming over from Knick of Time. Linda

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Welcome to the table, friend!

This is where we gather and hang out. I'd love for you to pull up a chair and jump right into the conversation. Or simply say 'hello.'

l'll be dropping in to visit you sometime soon ...

Linda

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