Decorate with Meaning

For those who have been around here awhile, you may notice that decorating is something I, Salvage Sister, enjoy.

When I was in high school/college, I worked some retail jobs. In those jobs, I was given opportunities to create the displays for the store.

I enjoyed doing this so much that I thought about going to a school in San Francisco for design.  Given the cost though, that was not the plan.  And it’s a good thing too cause I met the Mister on my college Internship.

Craft Room Makeover

Now I just end up using my interest in my home, friends homes, and here.

My style is a bit of craftsman, farmhouse, shabby, industrial, junk décor rolled into one.  Plus, whatever strikes my fancy!

Budget Kitchen Makeover

But there are two things CRUCIAL for me:

It needs to be within my budget!

It needs to be meaningful!

That means thrift finds and homemade items are often in the mix…..

AND

I use things that we can look around and go …”REMEMBER THAT?”

Here are a few things we use to bring meaning to our decorating-

Shells/Driftwood from the beach in jars from our trips!

Gifts

Menus from Restaurants

Family Heirlooms

 

Oh, wait….did you see the caution flag up?

Yes, there is a provision here……………

People AREN’T in their stuff!!!

If you have lost loved ones, people have given you gifts, or there are hand me downs, please don’t translate the stuff as the same as the people.  If you keep the stuff, you are not –

Keeping the person closer to your heart!

I know for me, losing both of my parents, their stuff is NOT them.  I keep a few things that are incredibly important to me.  Those items bring me joy and wonderful memories.

If it doesn’t bring you joy, why do you have it?

And if you have been given a gift, the person probably realizes:

• It may not be your taste.
• It may not be something you will keep forever as taste change….styles evolve.

The gift giver probably doesn’t want you to be miserable trying to keep it forever.

Side note- If you are a gift giver, please release the idea that someone’s love and approval of you is in the keeping of the  gifts you give them….it is not. 

How do you decorate with meaning?