Thursday, July 5, 2012

She's In Good Hands

I  have always felt that old pieces of furniture have souls.
They have been a part of a family's household, have witnessed births, celebrations, milestones, and even deaths.
When I bring an old piece into my own home, it's as if I am the new caretaker, mine to love and enjoy for only a few short years.
A temporary position, until it passes along to the next homestead.

Last week I brought a century old Kentucky Pie Safe into our midst, a much-loved piece of furniture, that has served it's utilitarian purpose well.
I can imagine all of the homemade pies that have sat upon it's shelves....... still warm from the oven.
Maybe stacks of linens, or dinnerware, or served as a pantry, in some distant rural farmhouse.




Each time I pass it by, I can't help but smile.


21 comments:

helen tilston said...

That is a beautiful piece and so timely in that you said you felt pieces of old furniture had a soul. I am cleaning out my studio today and intended to get rid of my late mother in law's sewing box, which is taking up space I need. Following several attempts, I retrieved it from the pile and it is now back in the studio and shall stay there, it has a soul. Thank you for confirming.
Like you, I shall give it a smile when I pass by

Helen xx

YONKS said...

It's beautiful, give it a stroke for me! :-)
Di
X

matron said...

That is a lovely piece of furniture and I do agree there is something special about old furniture.
I am in the process of passing on several pieces I have owned for a very long time to my children,who I hope will love it as much as I have.
I am in the process of moving house,sadly we can not keep up the care of the Castle anymore,it has to be passed on to the next generation who are younger and fitter than we are,who will have new ideas and dreams for the place.
The caption in your side bar is so apt for how I feel at the moment ---
Where we love is home-home that our feet may leave,but not our hearts.
I will be very sad to leave but I know I will be made welcome when I visit-- without the responsibility .
Carolyn.

Anonymous said...

Hi,
I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July !
This pie safe is so beautiful. I love old furniture. Here in The Netherlands a pie safe is something we don't have. Maybe because in The States much more pies are baked. They are eaten a lot as dessert. I don't know if they had them in England ?
Here pies are mainly eaten as a treat for birthdays or other special occasions, not every night after dinner ; )
Have a great day.

Barbara Rogers said...

That's a lovely piece of furniture. I like the doily draped over the top, to be seen as a frilly counterpoint to the gorgeous wood.

DJan said...

It is a truly lovely piece of furniture, bordering on art. I can see why it makes you smile. It has a good home now! :-)

Bittersweetfolkart said...

What a beautiful piece ..I love it
Enjoy ~ and thanks for sharing ~

Mac n' Janet said...

What a gorgeous piece, I've always wanted one. Lucky you!

Nellie said...

Oh, I LOVE it!! I have two pie safes - one from my grandmother, and one my mother had when I was growing up. She kept linens in it, back in the days when clothes were dried on the line. I remember very well the pleasing scent of those linens that had been dried outside. Now, I store some of those sets of dishes I just seem to accumulate with not much effort.:)

Enjoy!

MadSnapper said...

makes me happy just seeing the photo. i love old furniture and this one is beautiful.

trump said...

I always prefer something with some age and character like what you have, and it looks great as well. Nothing like beautiful wood to warm a room up. Richard from the Amish settlement of Lebanon,pa

Deb said...

Oh my, how gorgeous is she.

Christine said...

What a wonderful old piece witnessing yet new events in her new home.

Bernideen said...

I agree - give me something old any day over something new. I have been trying to get my nerve up to "paint some" of my pieces that shabby chic look. Not yet - but I'm "thinkin".

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

Jo, I know exactly what you mean! My Mom's kitchen has a pie safe in it that belonged to my grandparents. I love it and wish I had room for it in my home, because like you have with your new and beautiful heirloom, I think about its history and the stories it could tell and smile when I think about them.

Terry said...

It's lovely!

Darjeeling Darlings said...

i love the blue pot on top! Super cute!

John'aLee said...

I love the way you describe antiques. So true! They definitely have a soul in my opinion.
When I saw that pie safe, I had to wonder where you got it. Here in Nashville? I saw one like that out on my own antique rounds last week!

heritagestitchery said...

Fortunate pie safe to have found a
loving haven in Tennessee, where most
pie safes seem to be happiest...

Tweedles -- that's me said...

She is so beautiful
love
tweedles

Unknown said...

What a wonderful piece, and You have made a fitting tribute to it.
Warm smiles and a gentel touch each time you pass it by.