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Decorate With Intention: Unbury Your Treasures
Love letters languishing in a box? Memories getting mildewed? Give them pride of place on your walls for more meaningful decor in your home
Family heirlooms, photographs and other treasures are a meaningful part of any home. They spark conversation, stir up warm memories and offer glimpses into the lives of an older generation. This week we look at creative ways to display these objects, so they may enhance your life with their rich history instead of languishing in storage.
If you haven't gone through your family mementos for some time (or ever?), it may seem overwhelming to begin, so I suggest you take it slow. Pull out one box at a time and keep it near the sofa to sort through as you watch TV. Being slightly distracted while sorting is actually good, because it will make it easier to part with those blurry (but cute!) baby pictures that never made it into the book. Aim to keep only what is truly special. It's hard, but keep in mind that the impact of a small collection, carefully maintained, can be much greater than a massive heap of boxes of who knows what.
Now that you have your collection winnowed (you just ran off and did that, right?) we can move on to curating and displaying eight of the most common types of mementos. Let's get started.
If you haven't gone through your family mementos for some time (or ever?), it may seem overwhelming to begin, so I suggest you take it slow. Pull out one box at a time and keep it near the sofa to sort through as you watch TV. Being slightly distracted while sorting is actually good, because it will make it easier to part with those blurry (but cute!) baby pictures that never made it into the book. Aim to keep only what is truly special. It's hard, but keep in mind that the impact of a small collection, carefully maintained, can be much greater than a massive heap of boxes of who knows what.
Now that you have your collection winnowed (you just ran off and did that, right?) we can move on to curating and displaying eight of the most common types of mementos. Let's get started.
1. Nature collections. Whether it's sand gathered at each beach you vacationed at as a child, or a bird's nest from the backyard of the first house you bought, many of us have items from nature that hold special meaning. Here are a few easy yet eye-catching ideas for displaying your nature collection:
- Place a bird's nest, hollowed out eggs or other delicate items under a glass cloche on the coffee table.
- Use antlers and seashells to hold down stacks of books or papers.
- Set jars of sand or seashells on a bookcase between stacks of books.
- Frame pressed flowers and leaves and hang them in a cluster on the wall.
- Line up rocks or crystals along a windowsill or gather them in a decorative bowl.
2. A special handwritten note. Have a meaningful letter? Don't let it languish in a box in the basement. Frame it instead, and you will be able to appreciate it every day.
4. Family photos. Looking for a fresh new way to display those family portraits? Try supersizing them and adding simple frames for a modern look. And if you use ready-made frames, you can easily swap out the photos from time to time to keep the display current.
5. Jewelry. Give pride of place to your most cherished jewelry. Sure, you might want to keep the really pricey stuff locked away, but most of us also have costume jewelry with sentimental value. Try arranging a few special pieces on trays and small dishes atop your dresser.
Modern
6. Clothing. Why hide that gorgeous flapper dress you inherited? Use it as creative décor by hanging it from a bedroom wall.
And what about all of those precious baby clothes? Try framing one or two favorites in shadowboxes or have a pile reworked into a one-of-a-kind quilt.
And what about all of those precious baby clothes? Try framing one or two favorites in shadowboxes or have a pile reworked into a one-of-a-kind quilt.
7. Children's artwork. The budding artists in the family may be coming home with dozens of pieces each week. What to do with all of that art? First, create an easy display area with room for displaying at least a dozen pieces at once. A gallery wall or large bulletin or magnet board would work beautifully.
With the overflow, consider limiting what you keep to one box per child. If that seems like too little, you can also take digital photos or scan in the artwork and make photo books, for a solution that preserves the memories but takes up far less space than the originals.
See more ways to display children's art
With the overflow, consider limiting what you keep to one box per child. If that seems like too little, you can also take digital photos or scan in the artwork and make photo books, for a solution that preserves the memories but takes up far less space than the originals.
See more ways to display children's art
8. The good silver. Fancy glassware may be too fragile for the daily table, but silver actually benefits from regular use and looks gorgeous to boot. If you are lucky enough to own a set, stop worrying about it and just use it.
Tell us: What are your favorite ways to display your family treasures? If you had only a few moments to save things from a fire (not counting people and furry friends) what would you take with you and why?
More:
20 Great Ways to Display Family Photos
Put Clothes and Textiles in a New Frame of Mind
Give Your House Some Natural Curiosities
Tell us: What are your favorite ways to display your family treasures? If you had only a few moments to save things from a fire (not counting people and furry friends) what would you take with you and why?
More:
20 Great Ways to Display Family Photos
Put Clothes and Textiles in a New Frame of Mind
Give Your House Some Natural Curiosities