by BETSY CRIBB WATSON
photographs by HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ
ASHLEY SCHOENITH hasn’t met a classic soup tureen or “chippy old table” she doesn’t like. “I’m the person my family members think of before they get rid of things, because I love pieces like that so much,” says the Atlanta resident. Her deep appreciation for items with stories is the spirit behind Heirloomed Collection, the textile-and-home goods brand that she first launched as IceMilk Aprons with her grandmother Cele in 2006. “It was a way for us to spend more time together,” says Schoenith of the company’s start. “We did not intend for it to be a business. I worked in advertising and branding at the time, but then I left my job and it organically took off from there.”
Although their original aprons remain an essential part of FRESH IDEA Rather than using a napkin ring, secure hellebore blooms with a silky ribbon. the lineup, Heirloomed Collection has since expanded into table linens, candles, a selection of vintage finds, and (this past January) a cookbook called The Heirloomed Kitchen: Made-from-Scratch Recipes to Gather Around for Generations. Like Schoenith’s assortment of home decor, her cookbook is about forging connections between past and present as well as preserving traditions for the future. “I really hope it inspires more people to say, ‘Oh my gosh! My grandmother makes the best this or that. I need to have her write it down for me on a card so that when she’s no longer here, I can re-create that recipe and make those memories for my family.’” Here, she prepares a spring table that welcomes both grand celebrations and everyday occasions.
MEET THE DESIGNER
Ashley Schoenith
HEIRLOOMED COLLECTION
Atlanta, Georgia @heirloomedcollection
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ON HER MOST CHERISHED HAND-ME-DOWNS
“I have this huge stack of family recipes. There are cards that were handwritten by my great-grandmother, my Nana; ones that were done with a typewriter by my grandmother; and others handwritten by my mom….I pull them out all the time and think they’re just so beautiful.”
ON CRAFTING A NOTEWORTHY TABLE
“People should always aim to add a meaningful touch to their place settings, whether it’s incorporating your mother’s favorite flower in the centerpiece or using napkins embroidered with someone’s name. Sharing the story behind what you’re doing gives so much dimension.”
ON DEFINING HOSPITALITY
“To me, it’s about making people feel welcome in your home, sharing why you’re hosting, and making it comfortable and memorable for everyone present. You don’t have to wait for the biggest occasion to use your finest pieces. Bring them out, get everybody around the table, and just live life and capture the moment.”
STYLING: BUFFY HARGETT MILLER
