Designers say people are trending toward traditional design. I personally welcome this design trend. I love a room where the eye has to jump around. New boring white walls are taking shape to become mature walls full of memories with trinkets, photos, and treasures collected from years of living and exploring. We display these items like visual stories of our lives for all to see. It might be an object from a place we have been, a time period we enjoy, or a texture or material that evokes a feeling or memory. The key is that these are displayed out in the open and not in a storage bin or hidden away in a closet. The objects make your home feel lived-in and cozy.
First of all these collections take time. My recommendation is not to rush out and create a palate for your life, but to collect things while out living. Gather things while on vacation, hiking, or perhaps stop at an antique shop while traveling through a small town. Enjoy life’s journey. Sometimes you stumble upon something from your past to add to your present. Your life is not like everyone else’s so don’t go to a box store and fill your shelves with things everyone has in their homes. Select things that speak or represent you and your home will reflect your story.
When adding to the visual story of your home my advice is to pick things that intrigue you even if it is what some would consider an oddity. One of my favorite pieces of art in my home is Goya’s “Red Boy.” The subject is a small boy in red clothes standing with birds and cats. Most people who see it say it looks creepy. My husband even requested that I move it from our entryway. I love the pop of red and it gets people talking about the piece which I also love.
Another recommendation: become a collector. Remember when you were a kid and you would collect rocks or seashells? Remember how fun that was? No matter how many you already had they were all different. Why was that so fun? Finding things out in the world and linking them to something similar you have brings a sense of order and gives you a feeling like you are completing something like a never-ending puzzle. Always in search of the final piece, but our collections are never complete. It’s the hunt we love. For me, I started a small collection of candlestick holders. My teenage daughter had taken note of this and had started to point them out when antique shopping. I noticed that she got excited when she found one and pointed it out to me. She enjoyed the hunt as well. We now display the candles on the mantle at Christmas, on the table for Valentine’s Day, or on the shelf for Easter.
Collections can be displayed and incorporated into a lot of rooms and holidays. Don’t be afraid to have
multiple collections. You can rotate your displays, add new and pass down the others, or you can simply just add. In addition to candlesticks, I am going to start looking for vintage thimbles and silver and gold salt and pepper shakers. I want to add collections to my laundry room and kitchen. Having trouble thinking of a collection? Start by thinking about a special holiday or event. Was there anything there that was a tradition? Maybe you don’t want to stick with a formal tradition. A collection does not have to be old and antique if that is not your style. Feel free to add your own twist. Maybe there is a piece of furniture from your past you could paint it, reupholster it, or add new hardware. It then becomes a part of your history. You could take a piece of an old family garment that is not in style anymore or doesn’t fit and you could frame it. It helps add texture, preserves the memory, and repurposes the item.
If you choose something you love to look at you will love it in your home. I find that I keep things in my home more when I love them. I might move it to a new location, but I will keep it. Pieces I have parted with have just been objects used to fill a space. For me, these tend to be more mass-produced pieces and do not fit my unique design style.
My last piece of advice is to let go of trends. Create a home that you love and you won’t go wrong. My home is my sanctuary and yours should be a place of comfort as well. Whether you have a dozen collections or none, bare walls or gallery walls, modern, antique furnishings, or a combination, let them be a reflection of you and your style. Don’t know your style? Follow me for more inspiration.
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