The Beauty of What Endures: Curating Family Collections with Intention
By Marycobb Reeves
There is a certain comfort that comes from the objects we choose to gather over time—pieces that hold memory, sentiment, and the soft imprint of the hands that have cared for them. As the holiday season approaches, I find myself reflecting on the joy of collecting with intention, and how these small acts of stewardship can shape a family’s story for generations.
In design, we often talk about longevity: materials that age beautifully, craftsmanship that deepens with use, pieces meant to last. But longevity isn’t limited to the physical world. It extends to the rituals we create and the objects we choose to honor.
Gifts That Grow With Us
One of my favorite traditions began almost accidentally: each year, on my children’s birthdays, I gift them a piece of artwork. On the back, I write a note—why I chose it, what it made me think of, and what I hope it brings into their lives. These pieces hang throughout our home for now—brightening our days, shaping our environment. But one day, they will go with them into their first homes. They will carry a small gallery of their childhood with them. A record of what they loved, what I saw in them, and what we built together. Browse Charleston Artist Collective and Art House Charlotte for original, accessible artwork.
This, to me, is the essence of thoughtful giving: items that live many lives, that gain meaning as they move through time.
China, Pearls, and Other Markers of Time
Another beautiful way to build a family collection is through the table—the place where so many stories are shared. I often suggest gifting children (or godchildren, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren) one place setting of china each year.
The secret is simple: buy the full set of eighteen now and keep it tucked away. Present one place setting each year. It doesn’t have to be precious - it can be dishwasher-safe and suitable for everyday use. By adulthood, they will have a full service—a symbol of years of celebration, anticipation, and care. One of my favorite approachable collections is this one from Wedgewood.
The same principle holds true for jewelry, like an add-a-pearl necklace. It evolves over time—something that can be worn as a child and cherished as an adult, each added pearl marking another milestone.
Supporting Local Makers, Preserving Regional Craft
I’ve always loved the idea of curating collections that connect us to a place. In the Lowcountry, that might be a sweetgrass basket—each one a work of art, each coil carrying generations of tradition. In North Carolina, it could be hand-thrown pottery from Seagrove, where the clay seems to hold the warmth of the hands that shaped it.
By choosing these pieces year after year, you’re not just giving an object. You’re supporting artisans, sustaining craft, and rooting your family’s story in meaningful places.
The Magic of Tradition
In my own family, the tradition that means the most is our collection of Gorham sterling silver snowflake ornaments. The series began in 1970, and year after year, my family added to it. I inherited the collection, and today, unwrapping each snowflake feels like opening a small chapter of our history. Read more about these snowflakes in this article on Veranda.com.
What I love most about this tradition is its steady rhythm—one piece every year, each one different, but together forming something whole.
The Heart of It All
Collections like these do more than decorate a home. They shape an identity, one thoughtful piece at a time.
As we move into the busiest, brightest season of the year, perhaps the most meaningful gifts are the ones that last beyond the moment—the ones that become part of a home, part of a lineage, part of a story.
Here’s to giving with intention, collecting with love, and building a sense of continuity that extends far beyond our own walls.
From the Studio,
Marycobb
About the Author
Founder of her eponymous firm, Marycobb Reeves is a Charleston-based interior designer known for her affinity for classicism. Marycobb’s design philosophy is founded on creating tailored spaces with timeless appeal and enduring style in mind …
