I have an item inΒ my home that I’ve never spoken about here on Swoon Worthy and yet, I hold it so dear. The little wooden chest you see on the shelving in my office was given to me by my brother. As you may know, I am of Puerto Rican descent and this chest was purchased on that beautiful little island by my brother and given to me as a gift when he came to visit a few years ago.
I rarely get to see my family being so far away. My brother lives in Seattle and the distance means we don’t get to see each other as often as I’d like to although I’m grateful for social media and for the technology that allows me to keep in touch with him. We “speak” every week so we’re able to keep in touch but having a physical reminder here of his stay is very different than sending funny emojis to each other when we chat online.
Within the chest is a little Puerto Rican flag. That gift to me is a reminder of my heritage, a reminder of my family and our roots and something that’s irreplaceable to me.
While none of us like to think about losing the items we have, it’s important to recognise the value of the things we hold dear. These aren’t things that you could simply re-buy – or even if you could, they simply wouldn’t hold the same sentimental value we place in them. The precious objects we choose to surround ourselves with are more than their price tag when they are purchased – they become a part of who we are and those things we surround ourselves with tell the story of our lives.
Now you may recall that a few months ago, I had a film crew arrive in my home 2 days after returning on holiday and I can finally reveal what that was all about. In fact, the reason I’m chatting about precious items is because I’ve teamed up with Together Mutual InsuranceΒ to create 4 films, all around Making Spaces, which allow us to ask ourselves what we have in our homes that we hold of value – whether monetarily or sentimentally and of course, taking the steps to protect the things we hold precious.
While it’s not necessarily a fun task to go through our homes and inventory the items we love, the message in the films is clear. We all have valuables in our home that hold extra meaning to us. How much more important is it to protect these things if the worst were to happen?
Each of the short films focus on valuables, but not necessarily the monetary kind. They speak ofΒ the value of heritage, the value of mixing the old with the new, the value of personal expression and the value of built to last – all through the eyes of the homeowners. All of these things are so important to me that joining with them in their campaign seemed a perfect match. Not only have they allowed you to take a new peek into my home but they’ve also shared the homes of two other lovely bloggers – Susie from Old Fashioned Susie and Jesse of Hecticophilia.
While this is not my first debut on video (you can see my recent forays into the world of You Tube here), it was the first time I was relinquishing all control to the experts and I can tell you, despite how lovely they were, it was highly nerve-racking! (And of course, like every other human on this planet, I am overly critical of seeing/hearing myself on film). I’m happy to say I am delighted with the films. They are warm, entertaining and beautifully edited and give a great glimpse of a side to bloggers you don’t always get to experience by reading along.
You can check out the first video in the series here:
You can watch the other videos (in which I also appear) here too: The Value of PersonalΒ ExpressionΒ (Jesse has the most amazing voice, you have to listen to her sing in this one if you love indie/folk music as much as I do)Β / The Value of Mixing Old and New / The Value of Built to Last
What do you have in your home that speaks to your sense of heritage? Are there things in your home that hold sentimental value to you? I’d love to hear what you think!
Follow Together Insurance on social media here: Β Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
Disclaimer: I teamed up with Together Mutual Insurance (@TogetherIns) to tell the story of my prized belongings. Make sure everything you own is safe from damage, theft or loss by reading their helpful guideΒ about insuring home furnishings and treasured possessions. WhileΒ I was paid for my participation in this campaign, I only collaborate with companies I really like and think you will too! As always, all words and opinions are my very own. Thanks for supporting the businesses that support Swoon Worthy.
Can’t watch the video right now because I’m down in the London office (and shouldn’t really be reading blogs at all, naughty me!), but I love the chest that reminds you of your heritage. I think it is all well and good designing your home for yourself, but for me, my history and my family are an integral part of me – where I came from means a lot, especially since my family have been some pretty amazing people (world class athletes, military spies, writers, even pirates!) – so keeping some of that evident in my home makes me feel connected to them. My office currently contains my Great-Great Grandfather’s 18th century carved mahogany desk, and I love that I write blogs at a desk where my ancestors sat and wrote letters or military campaign reports!
Oh I love your comment Anna! Your family history sounds amazing and it’s so cool you have such a wonderful part of that history in your home. There’s rumours we have pirates in my family too but it’s never been substantiated, just my grandfather’s stories! ;) You’re lucky to have that desk – how wonderful! xxx
You are so cute on camera! Love this piece. xo
Oh I hated myself on camera here! Ha! It’s too easy to be critical of yourself but well, what can you do ;) Thanks so much hun! xxx
What a special gift from your Brother, and look at you filmstar!! x
It really is, I love that little chest! It’s always somewhere displayed in my home :) As for filmstar?! Hahaha! God I hated watching myself!! We are our own worst critics! xx
I still love that desk, I think it’s my favourite piece of furniture.
When i watched these videos, it made me look around at some of the little treasures I’ve got, off family and friends, and its been a good while since I’ve just looked at them, and enjoyed them, sometimes i think you forget they are there. Ihad a nice visit down memory lane, thanks Kimberly xxx
Oh I’m so happy the films reminded you of your own family treasures! It’s too easy to stop ‘looking’ and forget we have them. Thank you darling! xxx
Really lovely videos Kim – very touching.
Yours reminded me of a couple of treasures I have. A piece of African cloth with flamingos on that my mum had as a young woman (she’s 77 now). We don’t live in the same city so I don’t see her often and really we aren’t super close, but it does remind me of her. Also my dad’s trunk that he bought all his worldly goods in when he moved here to start a new life. It’s a beautiful thing – it’s practical, covered in stickers of where the ship stopped over on the way so it’s like a historical document too. I’ve yet to find the perfect spot for it in my house, but I’ll always have it and will pass it on through one of my nieces or nephews. I really enjoy seeing you on film – more please!
Oh your treasures sound amazing! I love the story of your dad’s trunk, what a fabulous piece to own, lucky you! I’m so glad you liked the film even though I hated seeing myself on it! Hahaha! We are our own worst critics however, right?! ;) Thanks darling xxx
I have so many things dear to my heart and I feel so similar about my family as you do. Love the video and hearing your voice
Aww thank you Julia! It’s so hard being far away, it’s the little things though, isn’t it :) Hugs xxx
This post made me sit and think about the things that are precious to me and now I have the warm fuzzies, so thanks ;) My family on my mothers side own a travelling funfair, and that’s how I was raised, leaving every summer to travel around the country, meeting new people and generally having a whale of a time. My family is still in that business, but my siblings and I didn’t follow in their footsteps, so the things I have around here that remind me where I come from, like the funfair art my mother painted for my kids rooms, are really precious to me.
Oh yay for warm fuzzies! Your childhood sounds utterly amazing and I love that you still have pieces in your home from that time. Thanks so much for sharing, I loved your comment :) xxx
It really was great,and now my kids get to go with their Grandmother on holiday and they absolutely love it too. If you want a peep at the art here’s the link ;) http://www.makedoanddiy.com/2015/05/funfair-style-artwork-for-ems-room.html
What a fab brother you have. A truely unique and thoughtful gift that has such meaning to you both. Lovely x
Yes, he’s a keeper! ;) I do miss him dearly but it’s nice to have a little physical reminder! Thanks darling xxx
So, so sweet. Loved this little feature so much as it’s the things with not much monetary value that we hold dear. There are so many things I covet in our home that cost next to nothing, but they’ll always be my favourite.
Such a lovely post xx
So true, isn’t it? It’s never the things that cost a lot of money that are the truly valuable things :) Thanks darling xxx
Oh your brother is too adorable, what a sweet gift. This post has made me think of all the things I’ve got in my house that have been passed down to me, usually because nobody else wants old stuff… I have a dressing table and wardrobe that were part of a set my maternal grandparents bought in the 40s when they got married, it’s only utility furniture but I love that it’s lasted so long even though they’ve seen better days now. In the living room I’ve got a mahogany display cabinet from my step-grandma which I think is Edwardian, it was rescued from the wood stripper that my step mum was dead set on dousing all over it as she doesn’t like dark wood. Inside the cabinet there’s a writing chest that belonged to my grandfather owned and on the hearth I have a dog that cracks nuts in his jaw and a miniature anvil both cast from bronze by him while he was meant to be casting propellers…