Instead of investing in a lot of small heirloom things, you may consider a wonderful Oriental wool carpet from our local Flying Carpets store. Believe it or not, they clean up very well and wear like iron. Q. I've inherited furniture and other things from my family and want to incorporate it in with my more contemporary environment. Try refinishing the desk in a new, washed color that you enjoy and add a black lampshade to the lamp. Also, use old things in new ways - make some pillows out of pieces of old embroidery, frame some lace behind plexiglass and hang it on a colored wall, use tablecloths for swagging above your bedroom windows.
Life is short.
Enjoy your family silver. Beware of getting rid of things you don't like. Your children may think it's retro-cool and want to use it for their college rooms or first apartments. A. Restock the personal, private areas of your house. Get a completely new bed - new sheets, pillows and comforter.