The Kitchen Dresser #100DaysOfOldDays

Day 91 #100DaysOfOldDays

The kitchen dresser has been around for hundreds of years and is one of the most iconic pieces of kitchen furniture.

The styles have changed a little over the years, with some dressers built into fitted kitchens, some are large and robust, but all still charming and practical.

There’s something about the old style dresser that gives a feeling of nostalgia and comfort – like this red one from one of the houses in the Kerry Bog Village in Glenbeigh, Co Kerry. I think the mismatched crockery makes it even more appealing.

This photo (below) is of an old pine dresser I owned years ago. I painted it duck egg blue – along with half the furniture in my house. I later gave it to a family friend, Bonnie, who painted it a different shade of blue.

This dresser (below) belongs to my mam. Another case of duck egg blue mania. I think it was Mexican pine before this.

Here’s Lucy’s drawing of an old dresser.

These ‘freestanding kitchens’ were similar to the dresser, although not as decorative. They were used more as a larder and a little worktop. I remember seeing a lot of these when I was a child.

I had to share this next one I found on Pinterest. It’s gorgeous! Some people have such creative imaginations.

This makes me want to buy an old dresser and dust off my paint brushes!

Antique Christening Gown #100DaysOfOldDays

Day 70 #100DaysOfOldDays

Another family heirloom for our 100 day project. This is the christening gown that Lucy got baptised in nearly eleven years ago. It’s about 110 years old. Her late grandfather Eymard McBreen, was baptised in this over 90 years ago and many of the McBreen family members since then.

It’s a beautiful cream colour and made from handwoven silk. Eymard’s aunt Susan sent it from America. I think it’s beautiful, and timeless!

Lucy says she feels honoured and special to have worn the same gown as her grandfather!

❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Here’s Lucy’s drawing for today!

A Nostalgic Smoke #100DaysOfOldDays

Day 9 #100DaysOfOldDays

This is an old clay tobacco pipe. My dad had some of these in his collection of old things. A lot of his were missing the stem though.

Irish pipe smokers puffed through clay pipes up until the 1800’s. Then the briar pipe was popularized by the Kapp brothers—Friedrich & Heinrich—and their associate Charles Peterson.

Clay pipes were a prominent feature at wakes and funerals long ago. Friends and family of the deceased bought whiskey and porter along with clay pipes and tobacco to have at the wake.

Pipe smokers used to dip the shank of the clay pipe into their whiskey or porter to give the pipe extra flavour.

These old pipes have a nostalgic place in Irish history. You’ll find them in our museums, and no doubt every pipe collector has at least one. Some Irish pubs like to display historical objects and the clay pipe would most likely be among their collection.

This particular one hangs in our local pub An Sean Sibin.