What House-hold Items Do You Expect To Last A Life-Time?

I really struggle with our consumable, disposable throw-away society and way of life :( Maybe because I'm a bit older than the average BB member I can remember my Nana's house and it was full of things that she had had most of her life. Most items were bought or given to her in the 1940's when she moved out of home and got married. She had a lovely home and especially in the kitchen you could really tell that back then things were made to last.

Even my parents who got married in the 1960's still have items that have "lasted a life-time". My mum's Sunbeam MixMaster springs to mind. DH's parents also had many items from their marriage in the 1950's that we inherited when it came time to clear out their family home when his mum passed. So between these three households there were items like:

Linen (probably 1000 count cotton) sheets, tea-towels etc still in excellent condition.
Cutlery (silver rubbed off a bit but re-coating is worthwhile).
Crockery (lots of lovely 1950's dinnerware)
Stereo systems (an old His Masters Voice turntable still going strong circa 1960s)
Furniture
Lamps
Clothing (cardigans etc from the 50s/60s)
Books

Is there anything that you own that you have bought recently (say in the past 10 years) that you expect to get a life-times use out of... that you might be passing on to your grandchildren?

I know that some members say they expect a life-times use from their KitchenAid mixer... but I think that items like that are all too rare :(

I don't expect anything I have bought in the last 10 years to last a lifetime. Except for really good furniture, 2nd hand stuff I have brought back to life but certainly not any appliances.

Especially after reading members complaints about new fridges and washing machines dying in less than 5 years. I remember muma and dads fridge (rounded style with pull handle) lasting even in the shed (we only upgraded when my aunt died and we got her bigger one) for a beer fridge and then a long long time at my brothers house..

Everything. I'm so deluded. I look at new things when I buy them (and we do not buy new stuff very often) and I can't possibly imagine how they would ever wear out. Shoes in particular, which is ridiculous, as a car-less person who walks really quite a lot.

This is so silly (of me) but...
Bookshelves. Even dodgy ones. (maybe this is an example of what I said above) How could they ever go downhill? (is this childless naivete showing through?)

The only appliance I would expect to last is my slow-cooker.
I dream of a good kenwood mix-master like my Mum's that will last me a lifetime but now isn't the time to buy it.
All my saucepans, crockery, cutlery etc I buy with the expectation that they will last a life-time. I tend to pay extra to get quality so that I won't need to replace it.

ETA - I buy handbags to last a lifetime too but it just occurred to me how funny I would look as an old lady toting my paddy down the street. maybe I need to rethink that.

I've just thought of a few items that I have bought in the last decade that I think I'll still have when I'm toward the end of my life (hopefully 30 odd years):

A Laura Ashley dufflecoat. Infact any good coat should last a life time. Op shops are full of them.

My collection of DMC needlework floss and my framed needlework (stretched correctly on acid free card). As long as it's kept correctly and we don't move to the tropics!

My sewing machine. It's a fully metal one (except for the dials etc) ... no reason why it shouldn't last another 30 years (that's how old I estimate it already is).

My vinyl record collection. I don't have as much hope for my CDs.

My hats, especially the good one I wear to the races, that I keep stored in a hatbox.

The Bistro cookware (saucepans etc bought 15 years ago still as good as new).

(I'll add to the list as I think of things... kinda cheering me up).


Things I plan on buying someday that I expect to last 30+ years:

A Maytag washing machine and possibly dryer.
A vintage Rover (car)
A restored house. (will restore in a way that uses good quality, preferably second hand materials that actually improve with age eg marble tiles and second hand floor boards) and brass fittings etc not crappy chrome.
I can dream ;)

I expect things to last.

Our dining furniture has lasted over 100 years so should outlast me too!

My dinner service and nice cutlery should last. As should my "new" tea-set... which is older than I am! MiL has just gotten rid of it. My display cabinet. My slow cooker. My dressing table. My piano (just a little younger than I am, I think).

We also have an old BBC computer from the early 80s. I no longer expect electricals to last forever, but I've had this washing machine and fridge for 4 years and expect it to go at LEAST another 6. The freezer, vacuum cleaner, TV, video player and digital box are all 5 years old. My little TV is 10 years old. The DVD player is 7 years old. Digital camera is 6 years old. I expect these to not go forever (the stereo is almost gone at 14 years old and the 12-year-old one has had it so we're down to just one stereo) but I do expect them to last a bit. Anything over 10 years is acceptable. I'd prefer 20+.

But not bookshelves. I have these things called BOOKS that I put on them, not pretty light little ornaments. The shelves snap within 5 years, even with turning them upside down to stop sagging.

i dont think things r made to last these days! but i wouuld say my tupperware.

I don't expect my electrical items to last a lifetime, I'd say 5-10yrs is all I expect from them.
Tupperware, LOL, it's only lifetime cause they replace it. I have heaps of split and broken stuff..
The only things that I expect to last:
My crystal champagne glasses and vases ( if the kids don't break them in the mean time )
A cupboard/dresser that I restored from my stepdad's mum's collection
Books I have kept from my childhood
Wool trenchcoat

Hmmm, will probably think of some more.

yeah you are probably right about the tupperware, but we do have a couple pieces that belonged to my DHs grandma. :-)

Hollo - funny you say that, the only pieces of tupperware that still look quite good are stuff from my mum. The old yellow and orange cylinder container one's.

I would like to think my slow cooker would last, and my mixmaster. I remember my Grandmother's Sunbeam mixmaster and her old orange crock pot, still going after years and years of regular use. I think my pots and pans should be able to last a very long time, they are still in good nick after a few years of constant use.

Apparently I am deluded if I think my iron will last me a lifetime though: I was actually flipping through a magazine yesterday, and there was an ad for a certain brand of iron that basically had as it's selling point the fact that if you have an iron that is more than 5 years, or (heaven forbid) older, you need to replace it because, and I quote: "Irons diminish with age, losing up to 50 per cent steam power in five years. After this, it's time for a replacement because you and your clothes deserve better." So here is company openly admitting that their product is no good for longer than a few years, and making it sound like a good thing!! That is definitely some clever marketing. They follow this up with some 'statistics' from their "recent 'Wardrobe Care' study" that state that "One in 100 people admit to their iron being more than 20 years old" and (get this): "44% of people only replace their iron when it's stopped working". Yep - shock horror! People actually use their appliances until they die! How wrong is that!

Only a couple of pieces of Le Creusset (or Le Chasseur) - can't remember which we've got - cookware. We've used one cooking pot at least three times a week for 15 years and it's still fabulous so I can't see why that wouldn't last a lifetime.

Oh, and a manual juicer that was DP's mum's. Would never buy an electric juicer again. It's fab.

We've just had some built-in robes put in the bedroom and this might be wishful thinking but I think they'll last a lifetime. They're a period style to suit this period house so hopefully they won't 'look' dated either because they're meant to look dated. Didn't articulate that very well, time for breakfast I think!

to last i think my 3 antique telephones (i am a collector but kids take up my$$$ now) and my army field phone my bible and my thesaurus and other bibles over 100 years old already. An antique dresser that needs to be restored but i think that will last. Along with my antique baby shoes that are nearly and over 100 years ago before kids cost me $$$, i was able to buy these small delights that i treasure greatly. Also some jewellery should last.

My books!!!

I'm like Nicambhar, I don't really expect electrical stuff to last, I don't think they make it like they used to. I think it's strategy, they manufacture things that will need replacing - and how many times have we looked into having something repaired only to be told it's cheaper to replace it? That makes me mad, I think it is very deliberate and there is very little thought involved apart from that of the dollar.

My iron trunk & old wooden furniture. Not the new cheap furniture we have, only the nice old stuff (see above, lol).

I don't expect whitegoods to last forever these days - there is too much technology (who on earth needs a 'smart' washing machine?) and therefore more areas for failure. Although the first washing machine that I brought was a 4.5kg Simpson back in 1997 and I only replaced it last year because we'd outgrown it - washing clothes for 6 people in a machine that small was just madness. but it is still going strong and still washing clothes just as well as it ever did. MIL has it atm as her machine is broken down. But the original one I replaced it with was stuffed in the first 6wks and just stopped working so it was replaced and that ones been fine but I know I wont get as long out of it as my first one. The fridge we've had for 10 years and I think we will get a while longer out of it provided the shelves stay together LOL. And the other stuff I expect to last is all the crap we got for our wedding that rarely sees the light of day and the Willow Dinner set that I inherrited from my Nan a few years ago. MIL has a Kenwood mixer that I covet and I hope she leaves to us in her will ROFL. Plus my other Nan has loads of antique cabinets that I also love. Oh and I have a lot of 'retro' tupperware too.

One thing to remember too is back in the day of our grandparents people got things fixed when they did break down - you could even get your toaster and other small appliances fixed so nothing truly lasted forever, it was just that it was able to be repaired until it wasn't able to be repaired anymore and these days if you took a toaster to someone to get fixed they would phone the looney bin to come and get you. Plus it doesn't help that some products these days are made almost entirely of plastic components that just aren't designed to last as long. Toys are a great example of that - my DH has a load of tonka toys that he had as a child and everything bar the wheels was metal - these days you'd be lucky to buy a tonka truck with more than 30% metal in it and the one time we did track down someone that sold the original tonka toys they were so expensive we couldn't justify buying them. It also doesn't help that we are a consumer society now and we replace things well before they wear out or break down just because the 'new model' has been released - TV's for example - how many people really needed a new TV in the last 5 years?

Trill, we *really* needed a new tv - prior to that we had an assortment of handmedown portable models that were a) literally used until they no longer worked (minus buttons & with coathanger aerials etc) and b) not compatible with connections for DVD players etc. But we've been married for 17 years and had prior to that *never* been to a shop to buy a big fancy teev LOL. Not planning to replace this one any time soon tho.

I have some good crystal, and some expensive cutlery that I expect to last. I don't have a "good" dinner service but when I do, I will expect that to last. I have some of Nanna's linen and lace, but nothing I have bought has been of sufficient quality to last more than 8 or so years. I expect my wooden furniture to last (and will have it repaired periodically so that it does) since I have bought solid stained wood rather than nasty veneer-stained things. Other than that, the main thing I expect to last is the quilts I have made - used good quality fabric, thread and wadding so that they do.

my photos my sons first outfitt ect

my mum has some stuff that has lasted 22 years and i have some of these items an old bulky tv a jarrah table hahah the old mixer so manny things only cause we kept them so well loved

i prefer to buy second hand as i know its pre loved and not going to die on me lol

Everything i have bought myself has not lasted, BUT i used to have my mums FIRST fridge (it is still working i just dont have it anymore!) and i also have my nans first electric beaters.... YEP i STILL use them :)

My mum has recently visited and commented on the good condition that our sofa is still in after four years!! she made a comment like well in another two years you can get a new one!!!! my mum can be waistfull and so my uncle, he buys a fresh loaf everyday and only eats one or two slices!!

One thing that has lasted for us is my wedding band, 240years old, it was my great, great grandmothers, on the womens side of the family. so very special to me i am the only one who has worn it since her, and the only one it fits! lol

I expect that my Le Ceuset saucepan set will last forever and be passed down - even if they discover a new energy efficient way of cooking they will still be used as camp ovens for camping trips.

I would like to think that my piano and harp will both oneday be granny's or even great granny's and my books and sheet music and enormous collection of knitting patterns - I just hope that there is someone followign who will love them as much as I do.

And as fro electircal items - it was only recently (within the last couple of years) that my TV and microwave were replaced. They were both 1977 vintage - I can't imagine that anything I have in that line now will alst even close to that long.

My Le Creuset
My KitchenAid
My Linen
My Shanghai Clay Teapot
My Cast Iron Japanese Teapot
Some trinkets I have around the place like my Grande Champagne Mirrored Tray
Silverware
My collection of Cookbooks inc. my vintage cookbooks from the 40's
Some clothing, some shoes...
My Rug
My Jewellery
Even though its technically not mine my St George oven which is from the early 60's :) The manual is still here, its falling apart but its even got the 50's like chic on the front.
My Paintings
My wooden spoon collection

Will think of more...

What won't last...

Whitegoods, most electrical goods, printed digital pics, my glasses (too many breakages happen!), my current saucepans...

I want to move to Rouge's house...

OUR iron will last forever - I hadn't used it since last year before I pulled it out to press some hems last weekend!
Le Creusset pot my mum gave me will be here in 2000 years' time, as will my Tupperware classics (probably not the Illusions bowls!).
My wool duffel coat...even if it stops fitting me, that thing will keep going.
My dog's Kong - indestructible and cost about $40...worth every cent!
My Mac 12 inch iBook - 4 years is already forever in computer talk with the same operating system, original guts and all ;)
I bought a Braun hairdryer about 12 years ago and it used to dry my hair straight quite regularly (a tough call in any brand's language)...still going...
I've been shedding our house of stuff that won't last because we had too much hanging around that was no good...and we don't even have a lot of stuff! Vacuum cleaners have had the worst record for us and I was recently recommended to buy a small commercial unit instead. The Asko washing machine I got from my parents (when it was already about 13 years old) will be turfed soon because as much as it COULD last forever, the cost of repairing what was wrong with it isn't feasible for us to consider on our income, so we got a recon one that can last ages cos parts and labour are far cheaper (it's a Fisher and Paykel, so it's also 'supposed' to last forever!).
Our original Phil and Ted's buggy - made to last for sure.
My dressage and jumping saddles and my bridle (though not really household, huh?)
Latex futon mattress with wool layers - I don't think the business we got it from exists anymore (anyone seen Red Futons relocated from Elwood? Would be most grateful for a lead! He also made beautiful Japanese inspired furniture and I wanted him to make a sofa bed for us!).
As for stuff we haven't bought in the last 10 or so years, all our antique furniture (which is most of what we have), and DP is restoring a set of 8 dining chairs and the table he inherited (at least 90 years old), that we use on a daily basis (bookcase, hallstand, sideboard, wardrobes, chairs, chests of drawers. They don't make furniture like they used to...you're not even supposed to be able to repair modern furniture! Silverware, jewellery (I have inherited stuff and I've only ever bought myself two silver rings - tough as guts they are! - and I don't include 'costume jewellery' as jewellery), barometer, violin, binoculars (two inherited sets) and a set of cowboy spurs my uncle gave me from Honduras (they are on display, but are perfectly functional for riding).

My kettle - when my electric one broke recently I went and got a stovetop one with no fuse to blow. It should be going strong for years to come.

hmm...the pirex (sp?) sausepan my nan gave me. she got it when she got engaged, shes now 89. it hasnt been used but i cant bring myself to..
The High chair at my mum and dads. we've worked out its 80yrs + old (all wood toboot!) and i expect that'll keep going for a loooong while yet! (and its been used by my gran right though to DS last night!)
My mum and dads fridge/microwave. they've been married 23 years and they're older then that!
DH's FB holden. its almost 50yrs old now...i cant see why it wont keep going! (once we get the carbie fixed)
Ohh and the scan pans/roasting tray that i got when DH and I got married, its only been (almost) a year and i can see them lasting!

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My kettle - when my electric one broke recently I went and got a stovetop one with no fuse to blow. It should be going strong for years to come.

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I loved having a stovetop kettle when we had gas stoves...current stove takes too long to heat up.

I forgot to add - I *love* pottery - and often pick up lovely pieces at op shops (my only rule is no brown :lol:) and provided DH doesn't clang them around in the kitchen they last nicely - better than cheap imported crockery anyway.

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My vinyl record collection. I don't have as much hope for my CDs.

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Ok, so DF gives me crap all the time about me being born in the wrong era. If I go to a CD shop and want a CD, and see it in vinyl, I'll buy vinyl. I think it's one of the simplest examples of how "back in the day" things were definately made to last the distance... I can look at a CD and it will get a scratch on it and that's it, it's ruined *grumble* Whereas all my lovely vinyl records are so... I dunno. Obviously you still need to be carefull with them to some extent but they still seem so much stronger and made to quality.

This can even be extended to cars! I have a 1964 holden EH that I drove around for the first 3 years of my driving life and the amount of stuff I hit/reversed into (accidently) was unbelievable, and never any damage.
(oh, unless you count the time I was hit by a bus, but I still stand by my statement, if it wasn't for the fact that that car was 100% steel I'd be dead).
I buy an 02 statesman, reverse into a pole and wham... that's $800 bucks for panel beating thanks *cha-ching*

I would expect things like my couch, dining table, any furniture really to last a life time. I do buy quality though and refuse to get anything that is veneer/chipboard/melamine.

We have some furniture given to us by my parents when we moved in together that they had had for 25+ years (bed head, dining table, couch) that's still going strong, also my great nan's dressing table which is still cranking along.

Is jewellery a house hold item? XD

Pots & Pans, cutlery, yes

Washing machine & Drier, no. Basically because my drier is crap and I'm doing anything I can to kill it and my washing machine has to put up with DF's orange muddy work clothes, I can see it chucking the ****s one day and refusing to do a load out of sheer spite ><;

I also buy things with the intention of never getting rid of them (My name is Teagz, and I'm a Hoard ;)). Eg, our bubby's cot is solid wood and can convert into a king single bed, his change table can have the top removed and become a chest of draws/dressing table type thing...

But anyway.. that did become quite long winded considering I was only making a comment on records XD

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I want to move to Rouge's house...

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LOL why in particular?

Trill just reminded me that of all the kids' toys I expect the Lego and Duplo to last a lifetime... possibly several. The first set of Duplo we bought for DD 12 years ago is almost perfect other than some minor rub scratches. It's one of the few toys I can buy with total confidence that it will be played with heaps and not be broken.

So pleased to hear you bought a stove top kettle Bron... I wouldn't have anything else. We are still using up our first kettle, a Fissler, it has last 14 years... unfortunately the handle is going to go soon... it's wood. I have a new Esteele fully stainless steele kettle in the back of the pantry ready to go on the day the handle on our current one becomes dangerous... I expect the Esteele one to last longer. HERE is a piccy of them.

I'm another whom doesn't expect any whitegoods to last :rolleyes: Our $1800 fridge had a 'plastic' small part snap off after only 1year of purchasing (out of warranty date) :doh:

And from my experience (to give you an idea i left home 25years ago) 'just to name a few items ' .... that my washing machine's have last 6-8years, dryers 6-8years, stereo's 7-10yeas, lounge-suite's 12-14years, bed mattress's 10-12years, clothes horse 12-14 years, irons 6-10years, kitchen-dining setting's 12-14years, ... and MY ironing-board AND kitchen-mixer have both lasted me a whopping 25years YAYYYYY :hooray: (and any Bessemer cookware or Tupperware have lasted me almost 25years :dance:)

*** China & Crystal i EXPECT to last a lifetime (i have some that were my Nan's and Great-Aunts) :D

I do have knitted clothing items made by my Nan & Mum for me as a baby & toddler that my DD got to wear in like new condition 40 years later (I had DD at 40) ... These i treasure & have kept aside for my DD when she is an adult to keep herself (I should put the pics i have of DD wearing them in my gallery here if i ever get around to it :rolleyes:)

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Trill just reminded me that of all the kids' toys I expect the Lego and Duplo to last a lifetime... possibly several. The first set of Duplo we bought for DD 12 years ago is almost perfect other than some minor rub scratches.

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your right i have 11 year old duplo and leggo and i have all matchbox cars that ive been keeping. Also a rocking horse and a metal hot rod ride on. they should last too.

We just had to throw away our 30 year old television. :( Dh said it was the only tv he could fix with a screwdriver.
Dh also has something similar to Lego. It's at least 30 years old and the girls love it when we take it out for them to play with. I imagine the Barbie dolls will go the distance as well. :rolleyes:

I forgot to mention before i still have my ** National Microwave ** one of the 1st microwaves with the turntable inside as they didn't at first when invented ... some older family members chipped to give for the 1st time i got engaged ... needless to say i have now been engaged twice since then and sadly those relo's have since passed away ... that was 24years ago ... i DO worry if the microwave ' might ' be a health hazard but it works no different since the day i got it :rolleyes:

Would break my heart to see it go as it's the last link i have with those past beloved relo's !!

I just remembered something else! Our outdoor setting! Its a weather proof (and rust proof) gorgeous looking set thats made to look like ornate cast iron. We've had it for 8 yrs and apart from the glass getting dusty its as new! Best furniture purchase we've made so far!

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your right i have 11 year old duplo and leggo and i have all matchbox cars that ive been keeping. Also a rocking horse and a metal hot rod ride on. they should last too.

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We have a matchbox Farrari that was FIL's - so it'd be about 50 years (maybe more).

Also, DH has a Mini that's 48 years old & the body of my step-Dad's FX Holden would be 60 years (not the engine or interior as he's replaced those, but we know people with stock ones).

RF - I'd expect my bookcase to last as it is made to hold books! Its only 3 years old & isn't sagging yet, we shall see.

I expect my sideboard (that came from step-Dad's work when they closed the Brisbane office) to last, but its very plain and office like so I don't know I want it to. Inside it I expect the crokery we got as a wedding present 10 years ago to last, but not the everyday crockery, especially with (soon to be) 2 boys.

Lorelle - clothes horses only last a few years here (close to the beach) before they start getting rust on the plastic coating. Saying that, I've had mine about 10 years, I just put up with the rust and don't put anythng delicate on them.

LOL you have just described my clothes horse!!!! It's 15 years old and very rusty on the corners... I don't know why i haven't replaced it really :think: always something more important... oh and I have REVA pegs that I bought at the same time as the clothes horse still in very good condition... because I never leave them on the line and treat them lovingly storing them in a calico lined cane basket ;)

OH yeah! Lego will definitely last the distance, but Jaz, I have to disagree on Barbie dolls - at least the ones you buy these days. They are completely different to the barbies we had. MIL still has all the lego and SIL's barbies and they are still much better than the barbies the girls have. The body part may last but I bet their hair doesn't.

SL ... LOL, clothes horse there must be like a car rusting ... my Aunt lives near the beach & i know that's her prob there too ... (SL, Wish i lived near the beach - Hey wanna swap for brrrrr freezing Ballarat ;))