Grandma's Furniture...

[everylastbreath]

We are in the process of redoing our home and getting closer to a master bedroom renovation, I currently have my Grandmother's furniture, which she gave to before she died- it was beautiful cherrywood furniture with a high gloss shine, that was 30+ years ago. The furniture is still not bad looking but it is def not as pretty as it once was, plus the fact that it was originally set for a full size bed and we have the headboard on a king size now, which doesn't look horrible since it has a long headboard with 2 nightstands that were origionally tucked under and because of the size of the bed are next to the bed now.

I am so torn between keeping the furniture because of the sentimental value, and getting new furniture, which I would love to have, but I can't seem to bring myself to the decision. Can't paint the original furniture it would totally ruin the look- maybe could have it re-done but it's still not exactly what I would like- I am so torn- what would you do? How do you deal with getting rid of something with sentimental attachments??

 

[marmalade]

We are in the process of redoing our home and getting closer to a master bedroom renovation, I currently have my Grandmother's furniture, which she gave to before she died- it was beautiful cherrywood furniture with a high gloss shine, that was 30+ years ago. The furniture is still not bad looking but it is def not as pretty as it once was, plus the fact that it was originally set for a full size bed and we have the headboard on a king size now, which doesn't look horrible since it has a long headboard with 2 nightstands that were origionally tucked under and because of the size of the bed are next to the bed now.

I am so torn between keeping the furniture because of the sentimental value, and getting new furniture, which I would love to have, but I can't seem to bring myself to the decision. Can't paint the original furniture it would totally ruin the look- maybe could have it re-done but it's still not exactly what I would like- I am so torn- what would you do? How do you deal with getting rid of something with sentimental attachments??

Do you have a spare room that you could set up as a guest room and put it in there? Do you have kids or grandkids that you could give it to? I wouldn't be able to get rid of it, I am horrible with sentimental things. I would try to find a new home for it whether with me or family.

 

[everylastbreath]

No spare room- kids don't want it (they have NO sentimental attachment to anything, so I know it will never be passed on) Not even sure we would be able to get it out of the bedroom without destroying it because of new configuration of house.

 

[zeferjen]

I would have said 'keep it' until you mentioned that it was for a full sized bed. You don't have a guest room that you can use it in? Or plans for an extra room in the future? If so, I would keep them in storage.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

No spare room- kids don't want it (they have NO sentimental attachment to anything, so I know it will never be passed on) Not even sure we would be able to get it out of the bedroom without destroying it because of new configuration of house.

I'm not a big fan of matching bedroom suites, so my suggestion would be to keep ( or repurpose) a piece or two to remember your grandmother and replace the rest with what works for you. -- Suzanne

 

[marmalade]

Is your DH handy? There are a ton of things online for turning your old headboard into a bench.

 

[wendow]

I'm not a big fan of matching bedroom suites, so my suggestion would be to keep ( or repurpose) a piece or two to remember your grandmother and replace the rest with what works for you. -- Suzanne

I like this idea too. Without seeing your bedroom suit, it's hard to make recommendations but could you use a piece as a bathroom counter & cabinet in one of your baths? I love that look! Or the nightstands as end tables in your living? I have no old furniture that belonged to a loved one but if I did, I'd have a very hard time also just getting rid of it. How long til your kids are out of the house and you get to take over a bedroom?

 

[pixiewings71]

I would suggest repurposing, you can make a lot of really neat items out of used bedroom furniture. As marmalade suggests above, you could use the headboard for a bench. Do a search on repurposed furniture, see what you can find.

 

[momxx5]

I am a big fan of keeping and re-using, re-purposing!!!

Please check out Pintrest. They have literally 1,000 of ideas for old furniture. Everything from making a headboard into a bench, a dresser into shelves, and more things than you can imagine.

Also, you would be so surprised at what paint can do for things. I "found" an old desk, smaller writing type desk, and painted it black with a few places sanded down to distress a bit....it looks so awesome at the landing at the top of our stairs.
Similarly I had a long 6 drawer dresser that my old boy friend (talking over 20+ yrs ago) found on the road side, I painted it white and now it fits my daughter's room perfectly.
A wicker self type thing with baskets was free from college students moving out.....spray painted and fabric lined baskets turned it into a beautiful unit that was perfect for holding American Girl dolls & outfits. Now DD is older, all her makeup, hairs access., etc and personal items fit.

Basically I am also a keeper of sentimental items, even if not used or kept in original manner.
Good luck and please keep us posted as to what you do, we'd love to hear see what you do.

 

[LJSquishy]

If the furniture has that much sentimental value to you, I doubt you would even consider getting rid of it. So, I think what you really want is new furniture and that is okay. You mentioned that you could refinish it but that it's not really your style. If you wouldn't go to a store and pick out that set on your own, don't keep it. Definitely do not just store it away...there is no purpose in that since your kids don't want it someday! I have never understood hanging onto things you don't actually use, other than a couple of small sentimental items here and there. A huge set of furniture is not easily stored away. Go get your dream furniture!