• Home
  • Meet Kelly
  • My House
  • Contact

Kelly Elko

Love where you live - inspired decorating ideas

  • Eclectic Homes
  • Projects
    • My Projects
    • FREE Printables
    • Garden
    • Recipes
    • Tips & Tricks
    • Organization
  • Decorate
    • My House
    • Decorating
    • Outdoors
    • Christmas
    • Fall
    • Summer
    • Spring
    • Tablescapes
  • Life
    • Travel
    • Musings
  • Shop

Like Father Like Daughter – Dad’s Pipe Collection

January 13, 2016  Cool Collections | Uncategorized

Collections - Vintage Meerschaum Pipes learn kellyelko.com

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Not only did I inherit my dad’s looks and his latin rhythm but it seems he also passed down the collecting bug.

From duck decoys and art (he loved to hunt) to beer steins (he loved a good cocktail) to $2 bills (he gave stacks of them to my girls) to pipes galore, my dad loved a good collection.

My dad passed away 11 months ago. Before he became too sick to leave his house, he would visit and bring me things he loved, worrying that they would be thrown away once he was gone.

Meerschaum pipe collection - what a fun way to display them kellyelko.com

meerschaum-pipes-collection

Yesterday, I unpacked the pipes from their bag and shed a few tears when the memories came flooding back.

The smell of pipe tobacco reminds me of my dad who would sit in his recliner in the den and puff away with our dog Rex sitting faithfully by his feet. He stopped smoking those pipes decades ago but still had them displayed in pipe racks.

Stored in their original boxes, complete with yellowed papers describing these Meerschaum pipes, I learned a thing or two.

vintage-meerschaum-pipe-bearded-man

Meerschaum (translates to sea foam) is a German word for this soft, porous stone. Artists have been hand carving these works of art for over 300 years.

Hand made by European or Turkish pipe makers, Meerschaum pipes absorb nicotine and tar and take on a golden brown color after years of use.

My dad had a brand new one in the box so you can see the difference.

meerschaum-pipe-old-new

meerschaum-pipe

My dad had lots of wood pipes too so I thought this would be a fun way to display them and really show them off. A few of his old leather bound books are mixed in.

Pipe collection kellyelko.com

Vintage pipe collection displayed in an old dough bowl kellyelko.com

Here’s to the collecting gene.

So glad it didn’t skip a generation.

 

You can read my tribute to my dad HERE.

See more of my collections HERE.

Sign up to get Kelly Elko's latest posts delivered right to your inbox
Your information will never be shared or sold to a 3rd party.

Share this Post!

1 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
« Previous: Eclectic Home Tour – Malibu Vintage Industrial
Next: Eclectic Home Tour – Lemon Tree Farmhouse »

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Jeanne

    January 13, 2016 at 7:15 am

    I love the pipes and your display and the tribute to your dad. He sounds like an amazing man. The image of poker in the bar car on the train is like a vintage movie still in my mind. All of the glamour of working in Manhattan and watching movies from the sixties comes to mind in that description. The pipes are so architectural, I could see one as part of a mantle of table vignette featuring the beautiful carving. Kind of like a mini bust, another favorite look of mine. He is your thrifting guardian angel. Mine is my mom, also gone, but her legacy of great finds lives on in my house. Have a great day and stay warm. Ohio is cold today!

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      January 13, 2016 at 8:16 pm

      Thank you Jeanne! Your mom and my dad would have had fun on that bar car together! Stay warm – it’s freezing in NJ too!

      Reply
  2. Kimberly Triplett

    January 13, 2016 at 7:40 am

    What a touching tribute to your Dad…just beautiful.

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      January 13, 2016 at 8:17 pm

      Thanks Kimberly!

      Reply
  3. Denise

    January 13, 2016 at 8:02 am

    Wow, what a beautiful collection! But what I envy most is the beautiful relationship you had with your father~that comes through loud and clear. You are a fortunate woman indeed.

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      January 13, 2016 at 8:18 pm

      Thanks Denise – of course, we all have regrets and I wish I could have been there more for him.

      Reply
  4. Sharon

    January 13, 2016 at 8:07 am

    My Dad also was a pipe smoker and my Grandpa before him. My Dad quit smoking them many moons ago. A few years ago my Dad passed his collection onto my son. (With a promise that he wouldn’t inhale. Lol.) My son treasures those pipes and on occasions that our extended family is together he gets them out for all the guys to have a puff. That has included my 85 year-old Dad a couple times. The sweet smell of pipe tobacco floods me with memories, mostly of my Grandmother’s farm where I haven’t been since I was about 9 years old.
    Thanks for sharing your story!

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      January 13, 2016 at 8:19 pm

      Isn’t it funny – I love the smell of a pipe but cigarette smoke gags me (although I grew up around that too and it never bothered me as a kid)! So glad your family is enjoying those pipe!

      Reply
  5. Cecilia

    January 13, 2016 at 9:11 am

    What sweet memories. Those are really cool and a fun way to remember your dad. I have a few of my dad’s things as well. You’ve inspired me to figure out a way to display them.

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      January 13, 2016 at 8:21 pm

      So glad Cecilia – it’s nice to keep things out in the open and appreciate them instead of letting them waste away and become forgotten. Display away!

      Reply
  6. Pat Schwab

    January 13, 2016 at 12:32 pm

    Kelly, What a beautiful way to display your father’s pipes. So sorry about your dad. My dad has been gone for years and I still miss him. I don’t have anything of his because he remarried and his wife didn’t honor any of his wishes She even kept all the photos of my dad and his family when he was young ( or threw them out) . I still have good memories of growing up and knowing my dad always loved me. I love all your fun collections. Pat S

    Reply
  7. Patty

    January 13, 2016 at 4:06 pm

    Kelly I just read the tribute to your father and I know we would have gotten along very, very well. I have things from my Mom who died 37 years ago December 18th. and I treasure them. I have been trying hard to downsize but I just can’t get rid of the things that were my Mom’s. I have sons and truthfully they don’t care not because they have no soul but because they are boys. I now watch people coming to my house. If they like something that was my Mom’s I make a note about it and when it is time to downsize, I will gift it to them. That way I know it will still be loved. Someone told me once that no one dies as long as one person remembers them.

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      January 13, 2016 at 8:23 pm

      What a great idea Patty! I agree, it’s definitely nice to give things to someone who will appreciate them as much as we and our families do. P.S. I really admire any diamond rings you may have!!!! Have a wonderful night.

      Reply
  8. Eileen

    January 13, 2016 at 6:49 pm

    Beautiful display and lovely post!

    Reply
  9. Loi Thai Tone on Tone

    January 13, 2016 at 8:06 pm

    Amazing carvings! What a very special, handsome collection, Kelly!! I love it, and love how you’ve displayed the collection. So interesting to learn about them, too – thanks for sharing their story. Your dad was obviously very interesting with many passions. Cheers

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      January 13, 2016 at 8:29 pm

      Thanks Loi and Cheers to you too on the Martha Stewart feature!

      Reply
  10. Cassandra E

    January 14, 2016 at 1:03 pm

    Love the collection. Thanks for sharing. I learned some new things. I love how you displayed with books. Pipes and books. Somehow so comforting. That’s also my hope for you as you continue to think about your dad.

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      January 14, 2016 at 1:06 pm

      Thank you so much Cassandra!

      Reply
  11. [email protected]

    January 15, 2016 at 9:05 pm

    I have seen some of those highly collectible pipes….I am sure he knew that you would treasure them just as much as he did. I do not have many of my dad’s things, but what I do have, I treasure dearly!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. My Childhood Home Tour - Kelly Elko says:
    July 20, 2018 at 5:55 am

    […] lounging in the recliner in his man cave while puffing on his pipe (you can read more about his pipe collection HERE). A map of Cuba (my dad emigrated from there in the early 1960’s) hangs proudly over the […]

    Reply

KELLY

About / Contact / Press
facebook twitter instagram google pinterest snapchat

Join me as I decorate my 100 year old home, scour thrift stores, create pretty things, putter in my peony and hydrangea filled garden, and mix up a mean cocktail all with a touch of sarcasm and a side of bacon - Cheers!



More About Kelly

Love where you live by mixing high and low, new and old to create a home that shows off your personality. My mantra ... simple projects equals more time for cocktails!
Subscribe for Email Updates:

Get in Touch

facebook twitter instagram google pinterest snapchat

I'd love to hear from you:
[email protected]

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · KellyElko All rights reserved. Site by WordPress Barista

Copyright © 2023 · KellyElko - 2016 on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Sign up to get Kelly Elko's latest posts delivered right to your inbox
Your information will never be shared or sold to a 3rd party.
1 shares