Love You to Pieces
As I child, I remember particular details of my home growing up—the green leather couch, the orange ashtray that my dad flicked his ashes in, the black leather bar, and large oval table that sat so many birthdays and family holiday meals. I can still remember the fur-like multi-colored rug that laid in my brother’s room, but nothing so memorable as the amount of times I brushed my tiny hands across my parent’s red velvet bedspread on their intricately wood carved bed.
My parents had this amazing bed set that had such great detail. Weirdly it reminded me of an old church with it’s three steepled design. It was a serious bedroom set, heavy and walnut. I cannot tell you how many times I’d run to their room, jump to lay on the bed just to watch my mom grab a purse from her armoire or to watch her dress for the day. My mom had impeccable style and LOTS of clothes and shoes (there may be a genetic connection here). I don’t know if it was the warmth of all the red that surrounded that room, but that bed brought me much comfort during a turbulent childhood. I remember I’d lie head at the foot to stare at the large wooden headboard while talking to my brother, listening to the rain on the metal pan my mom threw up on the roof so she could remember her home. Her childhood home in Panama was a metal roof in the jungle, and the sound of rain on it would calm her.
Fast forward to adulthood and I’m left with these nostalgic feelings, but have come up empty when thinking about my own furnishings. The only feeling I have is for the black Victorian framed mirror I got from my father. He gave it to me in my early twenties and it is the one piece i have held onto with each move. It has brought many a room together and it has brought me aesthetic joy, but it does not fulfill the comfort I felt from that wooden bed frame of my parents.
You may have a favorite chair or a favorite table. A piece that has history or sentimental value can make a house—a home. I love a good signature conversation starter. I had a friend who had a vintage toy chest she used as a coffee table. It had remnants of the original illustration on it. There wasn’t anything fancy about it, but every time I would visit her, I found myself investigating it with new findings of a carving or faded color I had not noticed before. My ex-in-laws were REALLY into mid century modern and there were two consecutive years of replica Wassily chairs given to us, but there was no comfort in them. It was the first thing people commented on, and although they have stayed with me through divorce and moves, they are so not the chairs you want to rest your weary bones in.
So, I’m wondering where my next beloved piece of furniture will materialize. I really want a good chair. I like a good chair I can cuddle up in and watch my stories from. Maybe even a modern recliner, one with a pocket for the remotes. Can you tell I’m getting to Senior status? I’m not hating on a good wingback recliner!
What’s your beloved piece currently? Is it decorative or is it functional? Is it one that has seen many places or is this a new piece? What makes it special to you? Feel free to comment below.