Issue 12 — Sourcing Unique & Affordable Home Decor Pieces
Little delights and where to find them.
Observing what you’re drawn to, from textures to shapes to colors, is an exciting jumping off point for outfitting your living space with bits & pieces that are an extension of your inner most you-ness. When you walk through nature, a new city, or a museum, what consistently catches your eye? I tend to be pulled toward asymmetry, unexpected color combinations, anything a little bit weird.
Slowly, over time and with intention, it’s a beautiful creative process to curate/replace/reorganize what exists in your home with pieces that light you up. These “pieces” are not big decisions like furniture, but more the trinkets and small bits that really fill in a space. This process is a slow roll and an inspired journey to be on. Instead of buying a quick frame or vase, can you take a step back and search for one that’s unique and makes you happy to have around?
There is a difference between abundance and clutter, just like there is a difference between intentional gaps and barrenness. I’d like to bid adieu the (millennial?) pull toward all white/beige homes that feel like a Pinterest extraction lacking any real heart — spaces with coffee table books that have never been flipped through and box store art that lacks interest or meaning. Embrace color! Embrace some weirdness! Collecting unique stuff you’re naturally drawn to vs. items that the algorithm tells you to be drawn to will make your space authentically you and naturally cozy.
The magic happens when you stop following someone else’s roadmap, and instead tap into the one that lives within you.
Frame unexpected pieces in unexpected ways
What to frame: a sticky note love letter, receipt from a memorable meal, cocktail napkin drawing, tickets from a special show or flight, photo booth strips, pressed flowers, scribbled family recipes, a cool deck of cards, kids art, matchbooks, polaroids, a New Yorker cover from a special week in your life.
How to frame it: If you go to a professional, choose a textured mat (like linen), maybe opt for unexpected sizing (like long and skinny for multiple photos) or frame your item on an angle. Some ideas if you do it yourself:
— These Zara frames for adding printed photos with unexpected placement and a simple metal frame
— Artifact Uprising Tone-On-Tone Frame in the same color mat + frame (red, blue or olive), great for easily framing a phone photo
— Skip the frame and use colored washi tape to hang art and little notes and photos directly on your walls
— I like to hunt on eBay using search terms like “Mexican pewter picture frame” to find unique shapes and styles for tabletop frames. I bought these sun ray cuties last year:
Finding unique stuff that calls to you
If you’re not cruising antique shops or estate sales, eBay and Etsy are great places to source one of a kind items. Every now and then something good will pop up on Facebook marketplace or auction sites, but it’s less consistent.
Ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
— Store incense or matchbooks in a cool trinket box like this brass turtle
— Hang drawings or a poster with these big nails in brass or iron
— Swap plain hooks for ceramic ones
— Hanging tapestries/fabrics can add texture and warmth. Use search term “uzbek silk suzani” for beautiful hand embroidered silk on silk pieces from Uzbekistan or search for tapestries with cool imagery like cranes!
— Use pitchers for dinner party drinks and for flowers, like this Japanese fish pitcher, green or blue baby
— Hang your keys from a sun or fishes, or a simple hook with some character
— Instead of art, hang tiles or a vintage French trivet. Or maybe use tiles as coasters, or swap out plain coasters for these (which feel like art by themselves)
— Embrace wall plates! Like this fish or this sweet French writing, the world is a poem.
— For candlesticks and candelabras, search for handmade and possibly a little wonky. These stripes! Extensive candle thoughts:
— Ashtrays are fun for shells, incense, matchbooks and anything else you might collect. On the animal theme, this Italian duck makes me happy. Or this Moroccan striped cutie
— Replace some of the branded products you typically purchase with reusable bottles, like this one for dish or hand soap or this one for bar soap. This allows you to buy in bulk/reduce waste, and it also looks chic on the counter
— I’ve already waxed poetic about replacing dresser and closet knobs, but I’ll say it again
Side salad
What I’m into these days.
— Block printed kimono from this Etsy shop. Made from sustainable cotton, machine washable, authentic Indian hand block print patterns, and available in various sizes and lengths for $50. I’ll be using this as a beach cover up, around the house, and maybe even out for drinks with a silk slip underneath.
— New salt!!! I’ve been a Diamond Crystal loyalist for almost 10 years. But after a recent deep dive on the process of salt harvesting and reading this book, I’ve decided I want it to do more for me. The natural unprocessed salt that retains essential trace minerals is really beneficial for health. Changing how you season takes a little getting used to, but feels worth it. I’ve been using Redmond Real Salt and Celtic Sea Salt.
— My pal Willow’s new podcast, The Nature Of. Teachings from nature to navigate the experience of being human. It’s inspiring, uplifting and soothing.
— Land’s End XL natural canvas tote because my hot take is that Lands End > LL Bean. They come with so many interior pockets and hooks, are softer, and are cheaper. I’ll be using this for my hospital bag, the beach, and hopefully many years to come. Use code LOVETOTES for 25% off full-price totes.
Let love flow on, crew.
The Celtic salt is SO potent. Adding this book to my list!