As we’ve been sifting through our collection of European antiques in preparation for the Antique & Garden Show of Nashville next weekend, I’ve found myself reflecting on why I’m drawn to these particular pieces of furniture.Â
Why does a cabinet fabricated two hundred years ago in a far-off country by someone I will never know resonate more than something manufactured in my lifetime in a style that is far more familiar?
On the surface, it is obvious to me. The simple, yet sophisticated forms carved and crafted from natural materials, the subtle shades of scraped paint, the quirkiness of their quality, and the perfection of their proportions - all of these elements come together to create a piece that is the epitome of beauty in my eyes.Â
But beyond that, it’s the history, and their ability to endure it. As human beings, we can often find ourselves ruminating on the past. Even if the memories are imperfect or unsettling, something about a lasting story draws us in. Though it is unknown, the history displayed even on the empty shelves of a Rococo Cabinet is tangible. The paint has chipped, the door stands slightly off-kilter, and the drawers need to be opened just so. If an IKEA cabinet offered the same short-falls, it would be returned, but because the quirks are a result of human hands over the centuries, we can revere them.Â
In 2018, I received a call from a couple, whose home in the mountains of Malibu was tragically burnt in the Woolsey fire. Family photos, honored heirlooms, pieces of their history were all gone in an instant. They wanted to rebuild, to create a new space to hold the story of their family.Â
When we were deciding what pieces would fill the new home, European antiques felt like the obvious choice.Â
Their muted blues, worn-down whites, and patinated golds connected the home with the sun-kissed surface of the ocean that lay just beyond the hills.Â
Well-loved leathers paired with unfinished woods were a welcome juxtaposition to the lightness of the space - each one accentuating the other.Â
But beneath that, these time-honored pieces allowed us to imbue the new construction with a story, even before the family began weaving their own into it. Â
Because I think at the end of the day, it’s stories that we yearn for. It’s why we venerate our grandparents and keep their favorite chair or hold on to their recipes long after they are gone, and why we cry when those items are lost. We want to connect with something that has stood the test of time, that has held on through the tumultuous passage of years. Whether it be our own, our family’s, our culture’s, or one of a stranger, these tales serve as a means for connection, threading us all together and giving our lives meaning.Â
If you are in Nashville January 31st - February 2nd, I would love for you to join us at the Antique & Garden Show. Perhaps you will find a piece that begs to become a part of your story — and you a part of it.Â
xx,
BrookeÂ
