Oldies but Goodies

For the past 7 years or so I've been learning about the value of old stuff.  Old stuff, used stuff, scuffed and scratched and dented stuff.  I fell in love with it the moment the first time I laid eyes on my mother-in-law's house in the F.Q. Story historic district of Phoenix, Arizona.

As we drove into the neighborhood, I couldn't help but smile at this quaint oasis dotted with pre-WWII kit houses, manicured lawns and rows of towering palm trees.  Hers was built in the 1920s by the architect of many of Phoenix's historic homes; it was his family's residence.  I was mesmerized by the unusual wavy thatch-like roof (reminded me of fairytale land!).  My boyfriend, Anthony, couldn't get the house key to work.  "Damn, my mom's old stuff!!" he growled in frustration just before the lock broke open. The interior...seriously, I almost died right there on the spot!  Holy crap, ANTIQUES!!

Now I don't mean those heavy, dowdy, dark things that make a house look like a cave.  I'm talking about fresh, bright, gorgeous stuff!!  The 1900s parlor couch was in the middle of the room, decked out in a taffeta upholstery with a silky fringed throw draped over one end.  Several well-worn Asian area rugs of all sizes adorned the old wooden floor planks.  In the corner was a large but delicate gold-leafed wood and glass cabinet where she kept her carefully curated perfume bottle collection.  Above the entrance hung a hand-carved wooden angel and wings from Mexico with chipped, flaky white paint that looked as if it had baked in the desert sun for a hundred years.  The walls were washed in a warm yellow hue, and all of this overlooked the bright green manicured lawn.  And I was just in the living room!  The rest of the house -- absolutely gorgeous.  Right out of a Romantic Homes magazine.  Every detail was thoughtfully and tastefully complete.  This old stuff was so...chic!!

From that day on, I had to find out how I, too, could live like this.  I suppose that's what my blog will be about.  How and why I've come to love living with old stuff.