Making Way for Beautiful: Using the Nice Stuff

Not long ago, a friend complimented me on the boys' toothbrush cups. She didn't know she was bringing a William Morris thing to my attention. (Crrrrck - can of worms being opened.)

Those are pewter stirrup cups, which I'd never heard of until we became customers of a local store. Apparently they originated in the English fox hunting tradition, which seems completely inappropriate as a baby gift, but this is the South - if you can engrave it, it makes a great baby gift. So, years ago, we picked out stirrup cups for our boys and gave them as Christmas gifts. 

I thought they would stay in a cabinet with the rest of the "baby silver" until my mother-in-law made an off-hand comment that made me reevaluate. When she gave me some of my husband's baby silver, it was clear that it had not been safely tucked away. The little bowls and cups had dents, teeth marks, and an imperfect polish. My mother in law explained, without realizing that she was shocking me, that all of it had been used: chewed on, dropped, washed, filled with food and drink. Used. And yet, it still looked beautiful. It actually felt more valuable. I'd never thought about that before. I had assumed that nice things like silver should go in the cabinet with my other nice things, saved for an imaginary future when my house would look like a magazine and I would throw fancy dinner parties. (Outside, no less.)

Source: crushculdesac.tumblr.com via Dessie on Pinterest

I don't know why I thought that. My own mother uses her nice things. I suppose I just didn't feel grown up enough to do it myself. Ridiculous.
Epiphany: I should use our nice things now. 
Sure I used plastic (BPA free, don't freak) items most of the time with my kids, but I also used the silver spoons, cups, and bowls that they received as baby gifts as - well - spoons, cups and bowls. We used them, and they are just fine.

2007

2009

Now that the boys have graduated to full size utensils and dishes, the baby silver is resting in cabinets. But looking back on their use has inspired me to revisit the "nice things" cabinet and see what I can use now. I've pulled little spoons out for the sugar and coffee stirring. I've found places for candlesticks, and a vase or two as well. If I've got beautiful things, they should be in the rotation, not saved for the day when everything in my house is beautiful. 

Thanks for the reminder, toothbrush cups.


Maybe you can pull some of "the nice stuff" out of storage and find a way to use it this summer? Do you already? Would love to hear about it.
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I am enjoying the William Morris Project at Pancakes and French Fries. You should visit. This summer, I am making way for beautiful, by:

Selling the Furniture