Decorating the Nest: Subtle Signatures

Apartment Therapy did a book round up if you're interested!

Recently, I've been on a design book check out binge. Because I'm frugal already and working on my minimalism edge, I really can't justify buying a big coffee table book that isn't going to get read as a resource over and over again. Instead, I browse through options at the library and see what ideas stick from different books.

In this case, one of the ideas from Young House Love is burning my brain! I've been turning it over in my head for days and realized that finally someone has discovered how to bring soul and personality into your home without letting it become a haven for dust and clutter. I'm sick of design advice that really amounts to adding tchotchkes and knick-knacks left and right to "personalize"!

I don't want to be surrounded by clutter, and I'm not one for hanging photos on the wall, so that can means that my living spaces often aren't as personalized as I may like. The idea from Young House Love is that when you do bring an object into your home match it to one of your "signatures." Matching it to a signature means that when you do pick up a new flour canister, or a welcome mat, or throw pillows instead of grabbing the first cute ones you see, you could first search for ones that have a bigger meaning to something you love or value. As you do this over time, you can find that your consistently adding items that subtly represent you, your family, and your favorite things without creating a useless collection. 

YHL's home office shelves full of tributes to things they love.

As a renter, I also love that these are small items that can follow me on my annual move (not a joke, I've moved every June for 4 years post-grad!) from space to space that really fit neatly into who I am and what I love. I like to think of them as being almost like little secrets hidden in plain sight. Everyone else may just see another cute home good, but you'll know the extra meaning behind the example. 

Some examples of these signatures might help! 

Some couples have a special number that holds significance, like a wedding date or an old apartment number. That doesn't hold true for us, but I can see the appeal for others.

What we do have is a massive 2,000 piece Picasso puzzle that was the very first gift my husband ever gave me back when we were 22 years old and sniffing out any common interests that we shared. In this case, jigsaw puzzles. 

Why we aren't already displaying it in our bedroom is just beyond me. It holds so many years worth of emotions for us, it's been dragged from one apartment to the next, and despite coming close many times, we never actually finished it until we were married and living in our 4th shared apartment. Finding a frame so that it hangs proudly in our next bedroom is on my priority list.

The YHL book also mentions using favorite animals as decor choices. In my case, bumblebees and wolves spring to mind. Bees were the theme of my bridal shower, and I love that wolves are dedicated pack animals. My husband and I are constantly talking about making the betterment of Team S. our guiding point and priority. That inspired me to start hunting down affordable prints on Society6 that we might both enjoy. If you don't want to buy art, what about making sure that your next kitchen canister has a motif you love? 

I love how subtle this wolf as ink blot print is! 

Yes, I am obsessed with our Macy's Napoleonic Bee Glassware!

We also have a favorite destination for getaways, Newport, RI. We love the mind-blowing historical mansions, the great dining, and the coastal feel of a small city. In Newport's case, there is a repeating pineapple motif throughout town. At a family wedding last summer, I picked up a small wooden butter mold of a pineapple to hang in our home. It now serves the dual purpose of reminding me of Newport with my husband, and a fun getaway weekend with my sister and parents. 

Note- only the pillow counts here! If that other pineapple ends up wedged on a shelf somewhere collecting dust we are not being as effective as possible!

This feels more sleek and modern- assuming you really need a bookend of course!

But not every one of these "signatures" needs to be based on relationship memories! I have a serious love for red poppies and I don't think my husband could pull a red poppy out of a criminal floral line up, but that doesn't matter. I don't know if it comes from the Wizard of Oz or what, but I've always seen poppies as being the most majestic of flowers. I had a poppy mug on my desk at my last job to hold pens, and I have a beautiful tray at home that I like alternating with to display things. I could (and should!) seek out some more poppies to add to the home. 

 

I hope I've made the case that when it comes to adding new decor to your house, playing to your favorites is the way to go. And if you're the collecting type then simply gravitate towards more items. Don't forget collections pack a better punch grouped together than spread out, so if you've got six whale figurines get them on the mantle and let them shine! Or subtly work your tokens or signatures throughout the house one item at a time. If you're buying a new bookend or throw pillow anyway, why not make it speak to your signature!