For Keeps: Claudia Williams
a tour of keepsakes, homegoods, memories, and more
I love the voyeuristic tradition of the home tour, but where are the keepsake tours? The intimate looks at a souvenir collection? The deep dive into someone’s jewelry box? In the series For Keeps I’m asking cool and creative people to share their keepsakes with the world, and by the transitive property also share their hearts.
Today we’re going through the keepsakes of writer Claudia Williams as she takes us through her world of nostalgia, romance, and antiquities.
My Father’s Matchbox Collection
My dad had an affinity for dive bars, supper clubs, and steak houses. So it isn’t too surprising that he had a massive glass jar of matchbooks sitting in his den my entire life. It grew and grew as the years went by. In 2017, he passed away and in the process of going through every thing he’d ever owned, my sister and I divvied up his matchbox collection. One of which had a phone number written inside, from a bartender who was surely swooned my father’s charm.
My Great Grandmother Annabelle’s Cane Armchair
I grew up going to my Grandma C’s house every Sunday for my entire life. Her home was much like mine is today—warm, inviting, and filled to the brim with heirlooms and gorgeous antiques. One of which was a dark wood, cane arm chair with a pink silk upholstered seat. I never thought much about it, but when I decided to move to New York, she offered it to me and explained that she had inherited it from her mother-in-law—my Great Grandma Annabelle. It was made over 125-years-ago and doesn’t have a single scratch or scuff. They simply don’t make them like this anymore.
My Grandpa Gary’s Antique Rug
Some might call my grandpa a hoarder. Some might call him a collector. Both are correct. The man owns houses and garages and barns throughout Florida and Illinois, and every square inch of every property is FILLED to the BRIM with antiques. Ceramics, jewelry, furniture, paintings, rugs. It’s overwhelming to say the least, but also incredibly beautiful. And every time I visit the crazy old man, I leave with a little treasure. Most recently, this antique hand-knotted Turkish wool rug. It’s so soft and such a beautiful shade of pink. I love her dearly!
My Grandma C’s Brass Candle Stick & Wick Trimmer
This candle stick and wick trimmer lived on a gorgeous marble table in my Grandparents guest bedroom my entire childhood. We’d have sleep overs there, and from bed, I had the perfect view of these two gorgeous objects. When my grandma moved into a retirement village a few years ago, she passed down quite a few things to me — this candle stick and wick cutter being one of them. They are by FAR the two objects I get the most compliments on in my house. The candle stick holds a taper candle perfectly, and as the candle melts down, you can life this little lever and slowly inch the candle up and up. It’s genius.
My First Real Art Purchase
On a trip upstate in 2024, I fell in love with a painting of a woman. The colors were absolutely perfect. Greens, pinks, browns. She was a regal woman with a gorgeous hat and a cameo necklace around her neck. Despite falling in love with the piece, I didn’t buy it. A week went by, and it was all I could think about. So I called the antique store, they put me in touch with the dealer, and she agreed to mail it of me. I Venmoed her and a week later she was mine.
Claudia is an old soul with an affinity for all things collected, weathered, storied, and cozy. Her favorite things include wandering flea markets, watching 90s rom coms on her couch with her cat Stanley (see also: Boozles), knitting bonnets, traveling to quaint towns and staying at old inns, and reading a book by a crackling fireplace on a rainy day. Swoon!!
She is a writer and content creator based in Brooklyn, having worked for brands like Sezane, Etsy, and the Four Seasons, and written for publications such as Architectural Digest. You can find her on Substack at Sentimentality.
She is currently woking on writing her first novel, which will be a historical fiction epic romance loosely based on her Grandparent’s love story.
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xo, Julianna
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That’s me!!!
Please do more of these this was so fun!