My Grandma Polly was a redheaded, storytelling spitfire of a woman who loved life and loved sharing it with others. Her home was filled with fleamarket finds, homemade jewelry, canned vegetables from her garden, original art, vintage magazines and curiosities of all kinds, including an actual voodoo doll and the murder weapon from one of my grandfather’s trials. Everything had a story that she was always more than happy to intrigue you with as you sat at her kitchen table with her dog Atom Baum (her maiden name). This chair was a fixture in her shag-carpeted living room next to her antique lava lamp. It was here she sat to entertain us with her tales as she enjoyed her tradition of a daily “happy hour” of a corona and a lime. Years later when I acquired the chair, it was still in its original black lacquer and dark floral upholstery and was showing its lifetime of love. The memories in this chair warranted rescuing it, so mom and I repainted and reupholstered it in a pink and green motif to match my couch and other furnishings. This special chair joined me in my apartment in Atlanta and now New York, and every once in a while, I take a seat and indulge in my own happy hour of a corona and a lime. I think Grandma Polly would be pleased.

Contributed by Caroline Shirley

A Sentimental Salvage is the story behind that truly special, one-of-a-kind piece in your home. It may be furniture that’s been in your family for years or an accessory you delighted in finding yesterday. However long it’s been in your life, this piece of your home holds special meaning and sentimental value. Email salvagedgrace@gmail.com if you’ve got a Sentimental Salvage of your own to share.