Date:  August 16, 2013  |   Story: Tiffany Burgess Adams  |   Styling: Mandy Keener  |  

Vintage cuisine collectibles are a Maumelle woman’s recipe for happiness

Nancy Sills is the curator of numerous collections, perhaps none more prized or enjoyed than her vintage and antique kitchen wares. From ceramic crocks and traditional wooden bread boards to rolling pins and baking tins, her own kitchen is home to a variety of cooking collectibles. “I keep my collections out on display so we can enjoy them,” says Sills, who resides in Maumelle with her husband Adrian who also likes antiques.

Indeed the displays are enjoyable for all who enter. Sills’ kitchen has all the charm of a 1940s general store alongside typical modern day conveniences. Along with the aforementioned items, you’ll also find her collections of Yellowware bowls, baskets, sugar buckets, creamers and textiles among the mix.

For Sills, it’s not about the value of the piece, but rather the hunt. “I love the thrill of finding something for a song. I found my first bread board for 50 cents at a flea market in Northwest Arkansas,” she reminisces. In fact, during her early days at garage and estate sales, Sills set a five-dollar budget when it came to adding pieces to her collection. As for choosing the initial pieces and starting new collections, Sills admits she buys only what she likes. “When people ask what we are looking for, I reply, ‘Well, we won’t know until we see it,’” she laughs.