Monday 9 March 2009

Memories & Family Traditions


Interior Designer Sister Parish once said...

"Even the simplest wicker basket can become priceless when it is loved and cared for through the generations of a family."



As well as being a fashionable accessory to carry to the beach, a basket can be very useful as decoration in a beach house as shown above & below.




Brisbane Artist Claire Stening's painting of a wicker basket.


This is such a simple yet beautiful tradition to begin. I know one day I will have a barrage of wicker baskets to love which my mother has collected over the years. Ever since I can remember, she has carted her goods and chattels, groceries and clothing to and from our family beach house in wicker baskets - big and small, much to my fathers annoyance. He always insisted that they were such a pain to pack in the car.

Always finding an excuse to use a basket my mother {during our childhood} was often seen traipsing down to the beach from the house with the three of us in tow, a beach umbrella under one arm and a wicker basket over the other arm filled with sunscreen, magazines, buckets and spades, towels, hats, drinks and enough spare change for when the ice cream man turned up.

The life-long obsession my mother has had with baskets has rubbed off on me. Gosh, I hope Harry will be prepared for all the wicker baskets he will inherit one day...

Image 1 - Elle Decor, Image 2 - Toast, Image 3 - Clair Stening

19 comments:

Patty said...

I am basket mad as well...I have to control myself when I see them... I just bought 2 beautiful French ones for all the kids toys outside...Love the first image of the baskets with the mirrored table...Patty

Lisa Porter said...

Anna,
I could not agree more with the quote from Sister Parrish. We all need to take better care of the simple useful things in everyday life. Love the idea of having a wicker basket & straw hat ready & waiting for weekend guests. I would say it is a perfectly logical reason to collect and display them. I know your mother would agree!
Makes me think about pulling ALL my baskets out to the lawn for a seasonal "wake-up" spraying of the hose. Thanks for reminding me & for a nice story to jump start my Spring!
Love following your blog.
Lisa

LindsB said...

Its so nice to have those types of things around the house, they bring back such great memories whenever you look at them. I have a bunch from my parents house and I hope to collect more over the years and start my own traditions as well- great post!

Karena said...

Anna, I love wicker baskets, and I regret very little, however when I have scaled back and given up any of my baskets, I have a little twinge of remorse!

Anonymous said...

That wicker basket painting is amazing!
This post makes me want to go to the beach! :)

Mrs. L said...

Great Blog. Very inspiring!

Debra said...

A tisket, a tasket...I need one of those market baskets! Things that are well worn and well loved. Lovely post with such a sweet nod to your Mum.

Tracy ~Seeking Refinement~ said...

my mother has a live-long obsession with baskets, too! It has most definitely rubbed off on me (and didn't I swear to myself I wouldn't do it too...?!). Thank you for fabulous ideas to put now my obsession to good use!

vicki archer said...

I have the basket obsession too Anna, xv.

Unknown said...

I also have a passion for wicker baskets. I have wicker baskets in my office for each client and wicker waste baskets etc etc etc. Love them as they go with everything.

Megan said...

Everytime I see them, I just can't help but want to buy them. I love the first picture! Now I have an idea of what to do with my basket collection.

Anonymous said...

Anna, Happy Monday! Thank you for the beautiful basket post. How simple and how lovely.
I am so happy you are continuing to post on the ABT blog. It is one of my favorite things to "peek" at during the week!

Sincerely,
Kari from thebabsblog.blogspot.com

alice said...

Baskets are such a pretty and practical solution for storage that its hard NOT to love them!

AshleyL. said...

OOOH I love that quote. Its so simple, sweet, and true! :)

timelesshome annika said...

Thanks for all the inspiration I LOVE YOUR BLOGG but I dont think Iam the only one.
Have agreat day.
Dream BIG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Annika

custardbydesign said...

nice to see your basket tips...i did just exactly that last week, i needed some storage for hats and scarves and gloves, although its spring our irish weather is still a bit temperamental at the best of times...and a willow basket was perfect to sit atop our bookcase to hold a few items...

Style Court said...

Anna -- love how you worked in that quote from Sister :)

Topsy Turvy said...

Rustic, handmade beauty combined with function - what's not to love about baskets.

–Lana

Cabin 19 Supply Company said...

Love these! Makes me dream of summer, the boats, the sun, the surf...mmmm, and makes me want to go shopping for straw hats to hang everywhere!
Lisa