We cannot seem to get it through our parent's heads that we don't want any valuable antiques that will need to be taken care of and the fact that it belonged to great-great-aunt Thelma who none of us have ever met or heard of except in connection to this roll top desk does not give the desk in question sentimental value.
Hopefully it goes to someone who will actually appreciate it and enjoy it, but that someone is neither of us.
We also have the same furniture that we bought 20 years ago as we could afford it. It is all scratched, dented, frayed and worn. It has contributed itself to a lot of living, which is what we think possessions should do. We want to own our things, not the other way around.
My parents bought reasonable sturdy hardwood furniture (In the early 70s I think) and apart from a few replacements it's still in use, having survived moving twice. I'm glad I was never told to not just "live" there, using it.
My own flat is very different, we bought most of the furniture while I was still a student and my wife was starting her first job, so of course there's a lot of IKEA and other not so expensive stuff, but to be honest... even after 10 years now I don't feel the need to replace a lot, my desk doesn't look too good but everything else looks pretty ok or even brand new, so maybe disposable stuff is sturdy enough for a good chunk of people? We haven't moved and I heard IKEA stuff often won't survive a 2nd move, so that might be another thing.
It depends. Surely some styles are not wonderful, but others are quite beautiful. Some styles are very of their time (and look horrible later), while others are timeless.
I like the timeless stuff. Lenox Federal china will never, ever look bad. Chantilly, Fairfax or Strasbourg silverware will always have a place at a table. A good Baccarat or Waterford crystal will always sparkle. Sure, one could go for 2020-trendy, but in 2025 or 2030 it will look old & crusty — but the classic never grow stale.
It's less valuable to people because it is so easily available.
https://www.maa.org/sites/default/files/images/upload_librar...
I've always loved the idea of being nimble, but I equally love the idea of having a family estate.
Hopefully my future children will be diversified with both options.
I guess you could use it every day and enjoy the quality, but even then you don't want your kids bashing on it.
Toys in the original unopened box may be worth more but that isn't why there was demand for them in the first place. Unless there is some sort of hilarious misprint, defect, or very questionable concept (accidentally looking very sexual, looking like a reference to some notorious event) thaf makes it a curiosity in itself, the toys were valued because of their use.
I believe the older generation wants us to have their fancy heirlooms - 12 piece dining room sets, silverware, china, their most giant gaudy antique armoire.
Converelsy, what I have tried to instill in my parents as they downsize their belongings is that I want the practical stuff they used every day. A quality set of dishes (not china!) - my mom's chemex. What's left of their old solid-wood furniture. That stuff has value to me - it was made differently - better quality, thicker, etc. Items that were part of pomp and circumstance used once or twice a year back then don't interest me.
Amen! The most useful thing my parents handed down to me was the dishes we used for my entire childhood. They're just pretty basic stoneware dishes made in the ol' US of A but they held up for 30 years, starting from before I was born up until I got my own place after college. Then I used them for the another 10 years, and apart from some chips on some of them, or not having a complete set due to the few that broke, they look like they could be only a few years old.
It was kind of neat watching my son eat off the same plates that I ate off when I was his age.
We eventually got some new plates but have the old ones packed away. I'm curious to see how long the new ones last, I don't know if they make them like they used to.
But I note you said "borderline indestructible". Not just "indestructible".
Which means I have found a fellow victim of ceramic shard explosion! They take a beating, but when they go, they go big!
The tea cups for me are hit or miss if they will survive. I think it has to do with the shape. Everything else is very tough.
... you brought me to tears with laughter! :-)
Thank you, I needed that.
It's remarkable. Despite being probably around 40 years old the surface finish of the plates (which took many a steak knife) still looks brand new.
Many china patterns may be used every day (not all: some are not dishwasher safe), and almost all silverware is usable every day (there are a few tricks, like not leaving it in contact with water and iron). Seriously, give it a shot!
The subsequent generations may show some interest. And in their time it will either be scarce and perhaps of some value, or still abundant and cheap from the previous generations' lack of interest.
That's the only road back I can see for silverware & china. Get people to actually use it.
It really can be nice stuff- it's just pointless if it lives in a big case.
(If it only lasts a year or three, there's plenty more where that came from)
Unless you are lucky enough to have an uncle who left an Apple Lisa in its original box on a shelf in his garage...