List of the week - Antiques & Collectibles

I have loved antiques for as long as I remember.  I love the history of them, especially when they are family pieces.  My Grandmother and Mom really encouraged my love of antiques, so I come by it naturally.  We spent many weekends going to antiques stores, estate sales and auctions.  It was always such a wonderful time finding a new treasure.  Grandmother told me many times that there were 3 antiques that she always wanted:  a four poster bed, a grandfather clock and a tea cart.  Unfortunately she never got any of them.  So, in the back of my head, I have always kept a list of antiques that I would love to some day have.  I can already check a few off of my list.  I may never have all of these and that's totally ok, but it's fun to daydream about and it makes for good motivation to treasure hunt.  Other than the first two items, the other pictures are merely representations/suggestions of the antiques.

In no particular order:

1.  Castor Set

The first time I remember seeing a castor set was at the family home in Wingate, NC.  The day that we were dividing up the dining room, there was my great grandmother's castor set on the buffet.  It went to my cousin Edith, but I was totally enthralled by it and determined to have one.  I bought this one at an auction in Monroe from the contents of the Blakeney House.

2.  Chocolate Set

This is another throwback to Wingate.  Aunt Sara had a chocolate set which had been given to her by her sister, Mary Lee.  In her will, she left it to my cousin Edith.  I had never heard of one before and when I finally saw it was completely charmed by it.  I found this one online on Ebay and absolutely love it.  Another one checked off of the list!

3.  Gone With The Wind Lamp

Yet another Wingate inspiration.  There was a lamp like this one in the living room.  I have loved them ever since and it's pretty high on my list.

4.  Soup Tureen

No one really uses these anymore, but I still want one!  Grandmother had a big white tureen that always sat in the middle of her dining room table.  She never used it during my lifetime, at least not for soup but it did house some centerpieces from time to time.  A friend of the family's, Marge Scruggs used to borrow it every Christmas to serve french onion soup out of.  Not sure whatever happened to Grandmother's but I love the memory of it!

5.  Bowl & Pitcher set

I love these.  Don't really know why though haha

6.  Hall Tree

A staple of the Victorian home...beautiful and functional...and yes, I want one with the seat, the umbrella stand(s) and a mirror, preferably beveled. 

7.  Bumble Bee Honey Pot

This one is specific.  Aunt Sara had one exactly like the picture that sat on her kitchen counter.  I remember playing with it as a small child when we would go to visit.  I don't know where hers ended up, but I would love to have one just like this.

8.  Staffordshire Dogs

I love the Staffordshire dogs.  I don't remember any relative having any of them, so I'm sure I saw them in antiques shops growing up.  I can never decide if they're cute or ugly.  Some of the colors are pretty outrageous on them and they come in many different breed of dog.  But, I need a mantle first before I get a pair haha!

9.  Silver Service

Plain and simple, I don't have a complete silver coffee and tea service.  Even though no one uses them anymore really, I think they're beautiful.  Grandmother had one and it went to someone else, so I want one.  It'd look beautiful on the buffet!  And, ironically, when I was looking up images for this, the picture I ended up liking most and downloading is actually in my silver patter.  Karma?  lol

10.  Pickle Castor

I just think pickle castors are pretty.  I want to find one like one of these that has a colored glass insert, but clear glass would work too.  And this is one of those pieces that I would actually use.  And, if you don't believe that, ask anyone who's had dinner at our house!

There you go, my list for the week.  Whether or not I will ever acquire all of these things doesn't matter.  As I said before, it's nice to daydream!