Finding Perspective + A Vintage Telephone
As I type this post I’m sipping on coffee (obviously) and watching it rain. And to be honest, I feel like I’m just trying to catch my breath after the emotional whirlwind of these past couple weeks. My mom’s emergency surgery happened two weeks ago today, which feels a bit surreal. And I know I haven’t talked about the specific details, but I will say it’s a miracle she’s alive. It really was that close and it gives me chills to even think back to that night. It was a nightmare for sure. But I’m so happy to say that she is doing much better now. She does still have a lot of recovery ahead of her, but she’s one tough cookie so I know it will be ok. God is good! Again I want to thank you all for the prayers and well wishes for her and our family. I’m truly so grateful for each and every one of you and I’ll never be able to tell you how much your support and love means to me. And I have to say, going through that ordeal really put SO much back into perspective for me. It reminded me how precious life is and how quickly things can change, especially when you least expect it. It was definitely a painful reminder, but it renewed my heart to cherish the little moments with the people I love, because it’s really those simple things that mean the very most to me. It also put into perspective some of the silly things that I worry about and stress over, because nine times out of ten those things don’t matter in the grand scheme of life and they only take away from our happiness each day. It’s so easy to get caught up in things that distract us from what truly matters in life, which is sad when you stop and really think about how often we let that happen. But this whole ordeal helped me refocus on what is most important and for that I am grateful. Anyway, you probably weren’t expecting things to get so deep on a Wednesday morning, huh?! Yeah, I wasn’t either. How about we shift gears and chat about the coolest antique telephone that I just put in our dining room!
OK, how stinkin’ awesome is this thing?! I mean, when it comes to vintage decor this is pretty high up on the cool list. This is an early 1900’s hand crank telephone and it’s been in our family for years. I honestly don’t even know the whole story on it, but it was in my Grandpa’s house for as long as I can remember. Then my mom had it and now I have it. Can you even imagine what it would’ve been like to talk on this telephone? It’s kind of crazy to think about how far technology has come from the days of hand crank telephones.
It took me quite a while to figure out where to put this guy because it’s a lot bigger than it looks. It sticks out from the wall about twelve inches or so, which makes finding a spot for it a bit of a challenge. But I finally settled on this corner in the dining room and I’m pretty happy with it. And that sucker is HEAVY, so we had to mount it to the studs in the wall in order to make sure it doesn’t come tumbling down.
I picked up this vintage sewing machine drawer a few weeks ago at an antique shop. Of course I painted it white and I loooooove it. I just propped up an old hymnal in there for now, along with a few bundles of book pages, but I’ve used faux plants in there too and it’s super cute. I need 10 more!
The thing I love about vintage decor is that every piece has a story. This phone has been around over 100 years now and it’s just really cool to think about the journey it’s taken to get here. We have so many interesting and fun things like this antique telephone around our home now and I love them all. I’m so lucky that I get to share my obsession with vintage with you guys here. I mean, you all get it and I love that. And thanks for letting me ramble about life too. You are the best. xoxo
As always thanks for hanging out with me today on the blog. Here’s a few other posts you might want to take a gander at:
Vintage Wooden Crate Side Table
The Comments
Shannon G
I have one of these phones that hung in my grandmother’s home. It has been in my garage for several years. You have inspired me to get it up on the wall. Thanks.
Sarah
> Shannon GOh yes definitely get it up and on the wall Shannon!!
Jan
Simply adorable!
Jan
I love it and remember as a child how my grandparents would tell the operator who they wanted to talk to and everyone had their special ring pattern – thanks for the memories!
Sarah
> JanOh that’s so cool Jan!! What great memories.
Nikki
Praying for your Mom and family. Life was quickly changed for us and my mother on February 15. I took her to the ER thinking it was just her appendix. It was, but so much more. We found out she has a rare cancer and her prognosis is poor. She has a smile on her face every day and she knows God will take care of her. I treasure every second with her.
Sarah
> NikkiOh Nikki, I am so sorry to hear that. I am praying right now for her and you too. Sending big hugs and love your way. xoxo
Becky A. Johnson
Dear Sarah, First I am so glad your Mom is on the mend. Things like that are so scary, but as you said it puts so much into perspective. Makes us realize what really is important. As I said before my husband is not well and last year i was diagnosed with a rare muscle dasease. i’ been a challenge but we hang in and do what has to be done. ok now lets get to the fun stuff. My Aunt had a phone like that it was so cool when we would visit her. Happy for you that you have one now handed done from. Makes it all the more special. Love the way you styled it. you have that special touch Sarah! I’m so glad that you blog so we can enjoy and get ideas from you. You seem like one of the sweetest people. Sometimes it feels like we really do know you. Wish i did but i’ll settle for your great posts. Thanks again and God Bless you and family. xoxo
Sarah
> Becky A. JohnsonAh Becky you are too sweet! I am so grateful to have you here. Thank you for the kind words and encouragement. I am so sorry about your husband, I’m going to say a prayer for him and you right now. God bless you both!! xo
Sally Brown
Phone looks great there. I have the one from our family and that is what we used until the early 1960s. We are so fortunate to have such great hand me downs! Prayers for your mother!
Sarah
> Sally BrownThat’s awesome Sally! So glad your family held onto it!
Dana Smith
So glad your Mom is better! Those big surprises in life do have a way of causing us to pause and think and they are gifts from God, who wants nothing more than for us to see how real He is.
I love your old phone and I am happy to say that I have one as well and it is hanging in the dining room of our 1927 farmhouse! I kind of laugh when I see that we now walk around with our cell phones in our hands, and they do so much more than just make calls! Anyway, blessings to you and your family.
Sarah
> Dana SmithIsn’t that the truth?! It’s pretty crazy to think about how far technology has come from the days of hand crank telephones. Anyway thanks so much for stopping in! Grateful to have you here Dana. xoxo
Karen
Hi Sarah!
I can appreciate what you went though concerning your Mother! I had the same experience but with my husband who suffered a stroke almost 2 years ago and is still healing! Life is precious and we must live each day and not stress or focus our attention on “things” that are insignificant compared to a human life.
Changing topic here, your old telephone is gorgeous and what makes it more special is the fact that it is a family heirloom. Cherish it and especially cherish your family members who cherished it before it came to you.
Much love,
Karen
Sarah
> KarenOh my goodness, I can only imagine how scary that must have been Karen. I’m so sorry you had to go through that with your husband. But what a reminder of how precious life is. It’s unfortunate that sometimes we need those painful reminders to set us back on track. Anyway thanks so much for stopping in, I really appreciate it! xo
Deedra
Sarah- I loved your post today and so thankful your mom is on the mend. I absolutely love your vintage phone and it looks perfect in that spot! Your home is just beautiful!
Sarah
> DeedraThank you so much Deedra! Always grateful when you can stop by. xo
Judy
Love what you’ve done with your little corner. Nostalgia comes to mind <3
Sarah
> JudyYes for sure! I have many memories of that old phone in my grandparents house.
Trinity Joy
Ok I’m a huge fan and read everything you write and drool over all your decor pics! With that said, I also know how scary it is to have a parent have a close to death experience (unfortunately I’ve lost both my parents! Mom died when I was 16 and my Dad when I was 29!). Glad to hear she is on the mend, Momma’s are soooo important!
I love your cherished treasures the most! Your little deacon bench, your antique crib, the big glass jar (that you put soaps in!) and all the other things you share about your family and it’s history! Thank you for letting us be a part of your life! This phone is sooooooo epic in the amount of history it holds, the “I love you’s” it’s heard along with the very last “goodbyes” the good news and the bad…oh if it only could talk!
Any who, can you tell me about your little cubby underneath it?! I’ve seen you have it styled in your living room (I believe) but I don’t remember a story behind it…do tell!
Thanks for being you! Prayers for your Momma!
💗
Trinity Joy
Sarah
> Trinity JoyAw Trinity, you are so sweet. Thank you for being here! Now about that little wooden cubby, it was actually from my dad. He had it in an old building he was using for work and it had been there for YEARS without anyone touching it. So he took it off the wall and gave it to me! Cleaned it up and it’s now one of my favorite things to style. Thanks for your prayers, they mean so much to me!! xoxo
Sandra Green
Absolutely Beautiful….
Dina
God is ALWAYS good!!!!!! My beautiful mom passed away a week ago today
Sarah
> DinaOh Dina, I am so very sorry about your mom. Sending big hugs and so much love to you. xoxo
Laura Harrie
Wow that antique telephone looks awesome in your home! What a great find, it is a perfect addition!
Glad to hear your Mom is recovering, with your help she will eventually be back to her old self.
Sarah
> Laura HarrieThanks Laura, she is doing so much better. Everyday she makes progress!!
Kathy
Love the phone!!!! That corner is so pulled together. Beautiful post. ♥♥♥
Sarah
> KathyThanks Kathy!!
Angela Servello
Good morning sweet Sarah, so sorry to hear about your mom’s health. Nothing puts things in perspective like a health scare. Maybe that’s God’s way of slowing us down to get back to the things that are really important. I know how scary that must of been for you but try to remember that He never gives you anything you can’t handle and He always has his reasons. Please know you will have my prayers for your family. Your friend, Angela xoxo
Sarah
> Angela ServelloYou are so right Angela. God has a way of slowing us down and refocusing us on what truly matters when we least expect it. It was defiantly a hard reminder, but I’m grateful it all worked out like it did. So thankful for your prayers, they mean the world to me! xoxo
Dina
You’ve done a great job of styling that corner, lots of little details that make all the difference. 🙂
Sarah
> DinaThanks so much Dina! It’s a fun area to style.
Tammie Price
I am so glad your Mom pulled through her ordeal and is on the road to recovery. I know that had to have been very scary for you all. I will say a prayer for her continued healing. As for your telephone, so very adorable! I love it, and I love the fact that it’s been in your family for so long. That always makes a piece even more special to me.
Sarah
> Tammie PriceThank you so much for the prayers Tammie, that really means so much to us! xoxo
Pamela Martin
I’m sure your kiddos love the new phone. I have a sewing machine drawer, too. I am going to get out some things and display it like you have here. Thanks for the inspiration.
*Smiles*
Sarah
> Pamela MartinOh perfect!! Have fun with it Pamela. xo
Vicki
So glad your mom is on the mend! I also have a nearly identical phone in my living room that belonged to my husband’s grandparents, we were the lucky ones to get it. I will admit to using the mouthpiece to hang clothes on, lol, most recently my daughter’s last dance recital costumes and graduation gown🙂😢. I have a bit of an obsesssion with antiques/vintage items, especially functional items like clocks, phones, cameras, typewriters, scales, etc. I also have a red rotary dial phone like my family had in the 60’s and 70’s, my daughter had the best time playing on it when she was little and we even used it as a photo prop one year for her😍
Sarah
> VickiAh we are kindred spirits Vicki!! And that old rotary phone you mentioned sounds so cool, I need to find one like that at a yard sale this summer!
Karen P
Glad to hear your momma is recovering.
Can we talk about your old books? I notice you rip the covers off of them. I have several old books and love them so much, especially the ones that are written on the inside with dates! I just can’t bring myself to tear them off but I really like the way yours look!
Sarah
> Karen POh no, I don’t rip the covers off those! Only the ones that are’t as old–like the book I find at Goodwill for a $1. I keep the really old ones just as they are!
Karen P
> SarahOhh thank you!! Good to know! Whew! I almost messed up!! 😉
Karen P
PS: We were just on vacation in Wesminister MD and went to ashop called “The Edge of Town” and they actually use a phone just like this one as their business phone!! Had a hidden touch pad under the wooden shelf.
Sarah
> Karen PWhat?! That is SO cool!!
Sue
I joined the newsletter but never received the printable.
Sarah
> SueSorry about that! Did you confirm you subscription? You should have received a follow up email to do that, then the printable would come automatically. Just shoot me an email and I’ll send it to you. sarah@sarahjoyblog.com
Sharon
My grandmother had one in her house, in the corner in the dining room, behind the door. When we were kids, it still worked so that my grandmother could call the barn (they were dairy farmers in PA) and talk to my grandfather, if he had a “real” call on the house phone or she needed him. My cousin and I would call each other to “play” on the phone! My mother and aunt told stories about the “party line” when they were kids (small town in PA).
Yes, times have really changed!! 🙂
I would love to have one in my house, as a conversation piece! Thanks for sharing!
Sarah
> SharonOh wow, that is SO cool!! What sweet memories.
Ivory
Niceeeeee. I love the way you have things displayed as well as the color, pulled together beautifully.
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