Ottomans for life

We have an ottoman in our house that we believe once belonged to my Great Grandmother. We have a well known Yorkshire saying in our family that if something is worth keeping it stays with us "for life". This is certainly the case with this most treasured family heirloom.

Made out of oak with wicker sides and a reupholstered rigid foam lid for sitting on, the ottoman has now served four generations of our family. Originally it was designed as a linen box to be fitted into the master bed room of the house. Subsequently it has served us as a blanket and duvet store, a coat box and a toy box. Now it has regained its former preeminence and after its umpteenth reupholstering and paint job it sits proudly at the base of our king size bed in the master bedroom.

It is its very versatility that is the key to its long and successful life. No one can bear to part with our most treasured family member! One relative remembers the ottoman as being kept in the attic where it was used to store the dressing up clothes worn by the children. On long winter nights they would proceed up the step ladder to the dimly lit attic where a succession of cowboy, Monsters Inc and Sleeping Beauty outfits, would be paraded proudly by our children. Latterly the ottoman was brought down to the play room where its functionality was further examined as it be came a receptacle for train sets, Action Men and Play Station accoutrements.

As the children grew up and its use as a toy box became redundant we decided to "re vamp " this most valued piece. It has recently been reupholstered using a delightful colour woven stripe fabric (Prairie Stripe Aubergine) once sourced for the furniture store, Sofa Workshop. We are delighted to say the ottoman remains a proud part of our family and will remain with us until we pass the baton on to the next generation.

The author has over 20 years experience running companies involved in furnishing fabrics and furniture manufacturing in the UK and writes extensively about footstools, ottomans and contemporary furniture.