That is, of course, the question that would shape our lives if only we could gaze into the future and answer it accurately. I’ve been looking at my own possessions and trying to work out what defines the perfect heirloom. I have a houseful of things that my parents and grandparents gave me which I’d put into the heirloom category, and I genuinely hope that at least some of the jewellery, furniture, glassware and memorabilia I add to my collection of ‘special things’ will become the heirlooms of tomorrow.

Some of the retro things I’ve had since I was younger are already heirloom pieces in my eyes even though I remember them from new. Beautiful jewellery from Georg Jensen for example. My mother had her own collection and I’ve added to it. The designs are timeless, the quality is superb, and you can buy vintage pieces like these earrings from places like The Old Cinema from time to time. Or you can buy your own new pieces.  

https://www.theoldcinema.co.uk/vintage-danish-modernist-silver-earrings-by-georg-jensen-c-1953.html 

Designer handbags work well too. I don’t have anything as old as this lovely Gucci bag from The Old Cinema, but I do own two vintage Chloe bags. Each one cost me what seemed like an arm and a leg at the time – and each is well over ten years old. My goddaughter who is still at college has earmarked them for herself, if ever I stop using them! 

https://www.cezanno.com/vintage-black-leather-case-by-gucci-c-1950.html

The first of my Chloe bags pre-dates the famous Paddington bag – and while it seemed expensive to me when I bought it, the minute the brand was recognised as a style icon the prices went up. If I chose to sell it now, I’d get more than the money I paid for it back. But, of course, it’s not about the money. For me, the advantages come from having pieces that I love and that I know. There’s a comfort in knowing how much a bag can hold, how heavy it will become over the course of the day and even whether or not it marks in the rain. The trick is to spot stylish, beautifully made and unique designs which are also functional.

When I’m shopping now, I look for things which I know I won’t tire of and that are well made enough to ensure they will last. Cezanno has done a lot of the hard work and is a great portal to find the sort of things which will be the antiques of the future and become heirlooms for our children and grandchildren. It’s not about a particular type of product for me, more about buying things which are great quality, unique design and likely to last the test of time.

Even small pieces can become heirlooms. I’m a huge fan of Alessi, the quirky Italian designer and I have a few things in my kitchen already. This citrus squeezer is on my wish list. I love the fact that it looks beautiful and just slightly odd.  And that it is functional.

https://www.cezanno.com/alessi-juicy-salif-citrus-squeezer.html 

I’ve already got a collection of Just Slate placemats and trays and they look just as good today as they did when I first got them.

https://www.cezanno.com/marketplace/seller/profile/shop/the-just-slate-company

In fact, my collection of Just Slate was built up over a few years – and while some of the items were presents, I bought anything I needed to fill the gaps (and a few extra things for good measure!). They work as well on my white table in the kitchen as on the old oak refectory table in my dining room. While I could buy cheaper place mats, these will last me for life – and I hope one of my relatives will like what I see as a versatile design that will work in the home of the future.

I’ve coveted Jan Constantine cushions for a long time. I’m sure they will be heirloom pieces, but they are also quirky and fun. I just need to find the right seating to put one on. Maybe on my own Vitra Meda office chair which is comfortable, functional and a design classic, just like this Eames EA108 Desk Chair by Herman Miller from The Old Cinema.

https://www.cezanno.com/eames-ea108-desk-chair-by-herman-miller-c-1970.html 

Mine is brown though, so a classic but colourful cushion is just what it needs to give a little colour pop! I’ve got my heart set on the heirloom union jack one

https://www.cezanno.com/jan-constantine-union-jack-square-cushion-grey.html 

Of course, it is vital to collect things that fit your own personal aesthetic. I love the classic design and beautiful workmanship of FUZL furniture. Right now, I don’t need a new table, but once my downstairs kitchen diner has been reconfigured, I’m hoping that I’ll be able to fit in something like this stunning table from FUZL. I know it is immaculately constructed and in my view, it has to be a design classic and a future heirloom piece.

https://www.cezanno.com/kiko-table-2400.html

In the meantime, I’m wondering if I can fit one of these shelving units upstairs, where right now my rooms are dominated by antiques. Juxta positioning vintage furniture with heirloom pieces of the future is a good way to make a space feel up to date. And it is also a great way to increase the functionality of your home.

https://www.cezanno.com/totem-shelving-system-1200-wall.html 

So, keep looking for those heirlooms of the future. Focus on things you like, things that will work well in your life and on things that you know are well made. The brands of the future may not be fashionable when you buy them – just like my Chloe bag. But they will be beautiful and functional.  Isn’t that just what everyone wants?

By Fiona Maclean