On Fridays this year, we are going to talk about how to bring beauty into your home sanctuary - by making it look pretty, sound peaceful, feel soothing, smell wonderful, and be filled with good tasting food.
That should give us plenty to discuss, huh?
Today, I want to show you how to showcase meaningful items that you already have, by creating a centerpiece or focal point with them.
After I took the Christmas stuff down, I was ready for a clean, minimal look. Do you feel that way too, after all the garland comes down? I love it while it's all up, but man! I'm so ready for a fresh look!
My favorite way to redecorate is by "shopping the house." It's free, and it's fun.
It's also free!
I do this by wandering from room to room, usually with a handful of chocolate chips in hand (helps me think), and I look for items that are raising their little arms and yelling, "Pick ME! Pick ME!"
"You poor little set of books," I murmur. "You've been jammed in the corner of this bookshelf for far too long!"
I take them out and dust them off. They belonged to my grandpa, who was a Lutheran minister for forty years. They make me think of him, and make me remember him praying the Lord's Prayer at the dinner table.
I pause to enjoy the memory. How I loved him!
Now, for something to set on top of the stack. Waaaay up in a cabinet, behind the candles, sits my grandpa's old movie camera.
Perfect! A perfect pairing.
Wait. I'm going to need a small tablecloth to anchor everything. To the linen closet I go.
A vintage embroidered "topper" is just the right size for my large brown coffee table. It breaks up ALL THE BROWN in my living room, and sets off my display. So glad I bought 15 vintage toppers for my daughter's wedding five years ago! Plenty to choose from.
I really should iron this, but I'm on a roll and don't want to stop.
I like where this is going.
Now.
Something tall. Think, think.
This blue-green garage sale vase still has some Christmas greenery in it (I missed it when I boxed everything up). But berries are "wintery," not just "Christmasy," right?
Maybe if I add......
...a bird's nest? YES.
I found the bird's nest this fall, and love the creativity that went into making it! Twigs, grass, leaves...here's even a bit of dried snakeskin around the outside! Gosh, it makes me smile.
Now, a display looks best in groupings of three's...maybe fives. Don't even think about junking it up with seven.
My soul is longing for "less" so I opt for three.
This "R" was a Christmas present. I had placed it charmingly on my bedroom dresser and was happy with it there, but hey, when you're shopping the house you just grab stuff. Sorry dresser. Most of the time, I gather more than I need, and then just try out different groupings.
Want to do some redecorating/arranging of your own, WITHOUT SPENDING A DIME?
Here are a few takeaway tips:
Try anchoring your collection with a cloth or tray. It will make it feel cohesive and give it more "weight."
Look for things of differing heights and textures.
Go for groups of 3 or 5 if possible, but don't get all legalistic about it.
If something is too small, place it on a stack of books, chunk of wood or whatever else you got.
Look for similar colors to tie your collection together, but don't get too matchy-matchy. (I like the way the red books look!)
Look for the items that are waving their little arms and yelling "Pick ME!" Give them their day in the sun.
Edit. Rearrange. Look from lots of angles.
PLAY!
Don't feel like you have to put EVERY MEMENTO on display at once. Fewer IS better. (If some items complain about not being chosen, just tell them, "Next time, little one.") (They'll be fine.)
Now - GET GOING! Go add some beauty to your home by shopping the house!
And feel free to post pics to our Facebook page! We'd all love to see!
Let us know: what item(s) will you enjoy displaying?