Meaningful Design

This is the final post in our series on how to find inspiration for design. We are drawing inspiration from a design trend we are seeing more of in 2023 — designing with meaningful objects. There has been a slight shift away from minimalism towards a more balanced effort to include elements in our homes that bring us joy and meaning in everyday life.

When I think of meaningful objects, I think of pieces you may not typically include in a modern day redesign. Here are a few examples:

  • Milk glass from your grandmother
  • Doilies from your mother’s first trip to Europe
  • Your family’s wooden rocking chair
  • Artwork children have gifted you
  • A stamp and art collection from your father
  • A handmade quilt
  • Antique dishes from your great-grandmother
  • Military memorabilia from your father’s funeral service
  • Still life oil paintings from your great-uncle
  • Décor from your mother’s time abroad
  • Cross stitch you made with your aunt and cousins as a child

The question is, how can we incorporate these items in a way that doesn’t look disjointed or awkward with the rest of our home design? Let’s see!

Create a coordinated art wall to display children’s art.

display kids artwork

Organised Pretty Home

Use simple, clean magnetic strips to hang rotating art in your kitchen or a children’s bedroom.

Alt image 2 for Magnetic Art Gallery

Pottery Barn Kids

Display a stamp collection in a sleek, modern frame, to pair with office or living room décor.

How to Display Stamp Collections - Church Hill Classics

Church Hill Classics

Use a vintage still life as inspiration for a shabby chic bedroom, office or powder room. Pair it with rich, bold accent colors surrounded by light wood and creamy neutral walls.

Oil on Board Painting of Still Life with Flowers in Urn For Sale

Chairish

Incorporate milk glass in both functional and beautiful ways! Use it as vessel to hold personal items in the bathroom.

Use the milk glass to add greenery to your home, both as planters and vases.

Décor Book

What beloved items that you hold near and dear do you have tucked away in a closet or in the basement that you can bring into your home to make it a space filled with love, warmth and memories each and every day? Where will you break away from trends to create a space that is truly your own, a space that tells your story?

Guest Blogger: Katya Larsen, Stager, A Home Revival

Written By

Kelly Zabel is an award-winning stager, recognized nationally by the Real Estate Staging Association in 2023, 2021 and 2020. Whether new construction, remodeled, or in its original beauty, Kelly knows how difficult it is for potential buyers to imagine a home when viewing a vacant property. She loves taking an empty room, filling it with personality and comfort, and showcasing how homeowners could actually live in that space. Her natural eye for layout and design helps highlight the potential of any space.

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