Everyday Items as Inspired Decor
A creative use of an antique typesetting shelf to display a Harry Potter charm collection.
A phenomenon I struggle to understand is mass production and consumption of interior decor. Your home is your sanctuary, and should be a reflection of the love and passion in your life.
Home decor items purchased at big box stores may look nice, but I see them as a missed opportunity. Oftentimes, we have plenty of practical and sentimental items that completely fill a space without needing to venture to mass-produced doodads. A space with unique pieces, or practical pieces displayed uniquely, will inspire you to think creatively and give your space meaning. In addition, it keeps us from chasing the next big trend - a fruitless effort that will ultimately end with less money in our wallets and dissatisfaction once the appeal of certain designs comes to pass.
Here are a few ideas for original decor meant to get your juices flowing - by rejecting pre-fabricated design, the home displays you can come up with will be so much more satisfying.
Sewing Supplies - A pincushion and a few spools of thread placed in a nice glass jar or a vase can make the perfect addition to a quaint bookcase. As a bonus, you’ll reduce barriers to this important life skill that stretches your wallet and prevents waste.
Typesetting Shelves - I have a dear friend who is obsessed with Harry Potter. She has an absolutely enviable collection of charms and small collectibles based on this wizarding world, and what better to match their vibe than to display them in an antique typesetting shelf? Collections can become their own decoration, with creative storage solutions such as typesetting shelves enhancing their appeal.
Greeting Cards - Throughout our lives, we receive many thoughtful cards and notes from our loved ones. Although it’s often impractical to keep them all, there are usually some that are especially aesthetic and heartfelt. Find a creative way to display them - you can frame them for a more formal approach, or create a collage as a more casual piece.
Sports Equipment - In his youth, my uncle was an avid downhill skier. While helping him downsize recently, we came across all sorts of very old ski equipment. Although these items were the most expensive and top-of-the-line in their prime, they have essentially no monetary value today. However, they had extreme sentimental value to him. To honor the memory, we saved a few pairs of skis to display and let go of the rest. Rather than taking up limited storage space, sports equipment can be displayed as a unique conversation piece.
Family Heirlooms - My grandmother passed away before I was born, so I never got to meet her. She loved giraffes - and as a 5’10” individual, so do I. I have a wooden sculpted giraffe from her that is the perfect addition to my space. I find many people will hold onto every item of a past loved one, stashed away in boxes. Rather than keeping an entire collection of their things, pick the most sentimental and put them on display. The rest can be let go so that others may give them new life.
Your space is precious, and everything displayed should earn its keep. Let your existing items inspire your home and display your passions, all while preventing accumulation of meaningless clutter.