I cherish many of the wonderful old things I have hanging around my home. They tell a story about my family and our past. They live happily among the newer things I continue to collect today.

This Winnie the Pooh cookie jar was handmade by my sister in law and fellow Pooh lover, Ann.

This incomplete set of brown transfer ware is among the sweetest I’ve seen, a gift to me from my Aunt in Santa Cruz who is an antique dealer.

A very old chocolate mold, antique bread bowl and great wine decanter with teak lid were all gifts. The mold from my mother, the decanter as a wedding gift some thirty years ago, and the bread bowl was my great grandmother’s.

A hand made tea set from Deruda, Italy from the 80’s. A long ago purchase at one of my favorite home stores. The snake was made by my adult son when he was very young.

An ironstone soup tureen and French tumblers, more gifts from my antiquing aunt.

Great Cappuccino cups for two, used when I pull out the espresso machine.

These are a wonderful set of rare toy soldiers. They hung in my husband’s childhood bedroom and are part of a collection, now belonging to my son Christian.

Old monogrammed sterling flatware has the letter “S”. It was my great grandmother’s who was actually a Smith, but it works for Segerstrom too.

Below is a sweet flatware set, another gift from my mom. It’s silver plate which requires less maintenance so we enjoy it every day of the week.

Love this little sterling Gump’s cigarette holder, sans the smokes. It’s one of the many silver pieces my late mother in law passed along to me. I cherish them.

The doggie doorstep below is a reproduction but is the perfect “not too new” look I was after.

Grandfather’s trunk. This great old piece currently houses our family photo albums. It has his name written on the side, above one of the leather handles.

Living with vintage and antique furnishings keeps me in touch with our family history. They tell our story and act as reminders of days long ago. When put together in your home with current fabrics and new accessories, they create a dynamic interior decor that evolves gracefully over time.

This way, you don’t have to replace everything every twelve to twenty years. It is a beautiful and meaningful way to build your nest.