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Creating Memories With Furniture

July 12, 2016 By Stephanie Olive and Tate Leave a Comment

In my humble opinion, what makes a house a home are the memories that each wall holds. Every room tells a story, from a baby’s first night at home to the meals that become family legends, a family breathes life into a house. But what happens when you live a lifestyle that requires you to move from house to house more often than you’d like? We are that family – we’ve lived in three houses, one apartment and two hotels in 4 years – so I try not to become emotionally attached to the homes we live in, but that doesn’t mean I don’t create a history for my family.

And how do I do that?

Oh, I’m so glad that you asked!

I use furniture to tell the story of our lives. Many key pieces of furniture in our home tell a story – from antiques that were owned by generations before me to pieces that were hand crafted by my husband, I let our memories, our history, come with us, no matter where we live. And I can attest that knowing the table that has traveled the country with us is the very same table where we hosted our first Thanksgiving as a married couple (in Maine!) and is where our toddler now eats his breakfast (in South Carolina!) has just as much sentimental value as any four walls could hold. 

Here’s a peek of three of my favorite pieces and a snippet of their history with our family

Our Dining Room Table

 

Believe it or not, this table was built by my husband. And even more impressive is the price tag (something like $60) and the fact that I stained it myself without permanently dying my skin a rich shade of mocha. My husband is always quick to point out that it isn’t perfect but, to me, it is one of the most valuable items in our home. At the time that this table was built, we were not financially able to purchase a large piece of furniture like a dining room table but I had dreams of a Farmhouse Table for our very first kitchen. Justin humored me and worked tirelessly to build the table of my dreams. Since then, the table has lived in two storage facilities, hosted our first Friends-giving, spent some time chair-less (remember, we were young and short on cash!), served as the buffet for our son’s first birthday party, a dining room table in a grown up dining room and now serves as our every day family table. Recently, I told my husband that I didn’t care what we had to do, but no matter where we lived, that table was coming with us. 

The Vanity Turned Entry Way Table

 

This little entry way table has quite a past. She started life as a vanity in my mother’s childhood bedroom. My mother gifted her to me as a teen and then she held court in my childhood bedroom as the collector of all the make-up, picture frames and piles of clothes that come with being a teen girl. I’ve always moved her with me, using the piece as a desk, buffet in a dining room and eventually, an entry way table. She’s had a few face lifts (currently, her navy hue is a result of a serious spray paint job) and I love opening the drawers and smelling the faint scent of powdered make up that still lingers. I have dreams that one day I might have a daughter who stuffs those drawers full of makeup, stacks photos of her friends all over it and loves it as much as I do.

The Map

 

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When I moved to my very first apartment after college, I had nothing in the way of furniture, let alone home decor. At the time, Pinterest had really just become a thing (yes, I’m old) and I searched ways to create large “art” for cheap. I spotted an idea to use a map because they are large and usually inexpensive and I knew just the map I needed. My dad is a Charter Captain and we grew up fishing the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, so I asked if he could find a nautical map of the area so that I could cover my walls with just a little bit of home. A few weeks later, my parents came to visit and the map he gave me instantly became one of my most treasured gifts. He chose every detail from the shade of the map (gorgeous blues and purples) to the thick gold gilt frame. The map has lived in every place we’ve ever resided and has decorated our living room, dining room and now lives in our powder bath! 

Tell me, what do you do to create memories in your home?

Creating Memories With Furniture

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Filed Under: Home Decor Tagged With: Family, Home, Home Decor

About Stephanie Olive and Tate

I'm Stephanie, a Starbucks fueled wife and baby boy mama who finds complete joy in a generously poured glass of red wine under reasonably clean white sheets at the end of the day. After one peek at my blog, Olive and Tate, it will be oh so clear that I love run on sentences, silence and fondly reminiscing about my pre-baby boobs. You can find my overly honest account of my life on Olive and Tate or follow all of the crazy on my second love, Instagram (and Facebook and Twitter, too!).

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Hi, friends! I’m Channing. I am mom to 3 amazing girls and wife to my fire fighting hubby, Eric. I loving sharing all things mom life related – recipes, DIY’s, real mom talk, crafts and more! 

Insta-Moms: @momswoa

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cream for dinner will now be a weekly staple. The kids are definitely not complaining! It’s a fun day with a Sundae! 
Comment below and tell me your favorite Baskin Robbins flavor!

#QuarantineCreations #IceCreamforDinner #FamilyTraditions #ad
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I have spent time with old friends and new and the magic is always there. 
If you scroll back far enough, you will see my first Disney experience and the moment I fell in love with Disney with my own mom! 
I would love for you to play along and share your favorite Disney moments with the moms in your life! Don’t forget to use hashtag #disneymagicmoments! I tag @pixiemousemichelle, @fivefortheroadblog and @mrsblinks! 
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I could eat Mexican for every meal of everyday! If your looking for the perfect recipes to make for dinner, I’ve got you covered. 
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Instagram post 17850899390014309 Disney is challenging us to share our first pictures with characters! I had to join in the fun and it was the best trip down memory lane. Disney has been threaded throughout my entire life. I pulled a few of my most favorite memories over the years. From partying in the streets during the most epic dance party and meeting our most favorite princesses to me being a kid at Disney myself. Oh, I also had to add a picture of Cinderella’s Castle. She really is the most beautiful cast member of them all! 
@waltdisneyworld we miss you more and more each day. You’ve brought us joy beyond words and we cannot wait for the day when we get to walk down Main Street USA again! 
Ok, now it’s your turn. Find your old photos of your favorite Disney characters and share the magic. Also, don’t forget to tag me. I want to see all your memories too! 
@pixiemousemichelle @ericaligenza and @prettyprovidenceblog it’s time to share yours!#disneymagicmoments #myfirstdisneycharacter #disneycreators #disneyfamily #disneykuds #disneyworld
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Comment below and tell me your favorite Easter recipes! #cadburyusa #reeses #eastertreats #springdessert
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Let’s take it back to the #happiestplaceonearth and our time in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge! Y’all, I don’t even have words for how amazing it is. And #riseoftheresistance is everything! Check out our video to see for yourself. We miss you @waltdisneyworld and can’t wait to make more memories soon!
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Now it’s your turn! Share your favorite memory and let’s spread some joy! #evereveambassador #disneycreators #starwars #disneyhollywoodstudios #stayhome
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