Call me old-fashioned, but I really feel like doilies are a commonplace household item that ought not have gone by the wayside. I’m sure many of us have inherited them at some point, maybe ones that our Grandmothers or Great-Grandmothers made by hand. Perhaps some of us can remember seeing them sitting under vases of fresh cut flowers when visiting elderly relatives. If you have ever pulled a doily out of a box and wondered just what really is it’s purpose, consider it a useful item and a foundation for simple, inexpensive home decor.
An art form all their own, doilies are diverse and elegant in their patterns and textures. If you haven’t been so fortunate as to be in possession of family heirloom doilies, most antique shops and thrift stores have a basket or bin somewhere, overflowing with them. I like thinking about how each one was handmade by someone at some point in history to decorate their home. I will confess, I cannot pass one of these doily baskets without digging through. It’s like some women shop for shoes or collect cats, only much less expensive. Over the years, at a dollar or two a piece, I have established a diverse little collection to accompany a few made by my own Great Grandmother. At this point, I just about have a doily for every occasion.
The most common use I mentioned is for setting under vases to protect furniture from condensation. If nothing else, you can look at it as an extra-fancy coaster for your flower arrangements.
I like to get creative with my doilies and use them as the base for centerpieces and various seasonal arrangements like candles in the winter…
And bird’s nests in the spring.
They also make great coasters for hot tea!
Sometimes you need the simple elegance of a white doily…
And sometimes more colorful fun is in order.
Sometimes you come across bold color patterns, rainbows, flowers and hot pink. While you may wonder how these fit in with someone’s home decor, not too long ago I found a couple that perfectly matched my red and white farm kitchen.
The other day my daughter was picking a vase of flowers to put in her room. She asked me for a doily and I simply sent her to look in the doily drawer. She laughed at me for having a whole drawer full of doilies, but I noticed she did sort through until she found just the right one to suit her flower arrangement.
She laughs now, but one day she will be a crazy doily lady too!
What a great doily collection. My mother had them under everything at her house and I remember my aunty making us one with sitting swans on it!! – I wonder what has happened to them all?
Is that top picture recent? our lilac is not in bloom yet.
Think I might need to make some doilies to leave to my grandkids (my boys are only 5 and 9 so I've got time!!)
I, too, love doilies. I have many but I am always looking for more. The older the better. My daughter thinks they are hideous, my husband says they remind him of an old woman's house, in which I usually reply, "Don't look now. You're married to an old woman!". LoL Have a blessed day, dear. You made me smile.
Grace & Peace
Doily collectors unite! Our lilacs are in bloom, and it is especially exciting because it is the first place I have had with lilacs to put in my vases. I love the idea of making family doilies to hand down. This may just be my winter craft project this year.
Mrs. G, your post made me smile as well! 🙂