I never knew my dad’s mother, Nana. She passed away when I was 2. Among the pieces of information I’ve collected about her over the years:

I know that she called me the “White Tornado,” because I had white blond hair and, even at 2, I left a wake of destruction in my path.

And I know that she was a flea market junkie. Her finds were scattered amongst my aunts and uncles after her passing. I’ve noticed that whenever I decide to “put my name on something” in my parent’s home, it’s oftentimes something that came from Nana. According to family legend, she was a notorious flea market haggler. It’s obvious that she also had incredible taste and a healthy imagination.

The items below were found in my mother and aunt’s homes in NC. Most, if not all, of these items were Nana inspired or inherited. They are all repurposed from their original usage.  Note the similarities. That Nana had a style, for sure.

In Aunt Ann’s house:

former window

old timey fridge

grinder

one half of a toy rocking horse

bobbins

My mom’s house:

candlestick mold

old timey fridge

actually I forgot to ask about this one... Mom, Aunt Ann?

grinder

I have to hand it to my mom and Aunt Ann as well, they’ve figured out to integrate these items beautifully.

And below is something new that my Uncle Jimmy received from his mother and brought up from SC for  one of his brothers or sisters to keep.

Not sure where this candelabra will land… but it would certainly be welcome in Brooklyn.