Go on a treasure hunt in your own home? Really? Yes!
One of the most asked questions I get from homeowners is, “How do I know what to do with an item that I love?”
That item is usually very meaningful or it can even be new. Many of us have a mental block when it comes to trying to figure out a new purpose for something. We stand there just staring at the item drawing a blank.
I hope this article will inspire you to think creatively and stretch your design muscle. I have some real-life examples of homeowners who have gone on a treasure hunt and found new purpose for their special items and they are so happy they did!
It’s common to fall into the trap of thinking that once we make a decision about what to do with a decor piece, it can’t be changed, whether it’s the location, the purpose or the look of an item that we are now questioning.
Many also think an item has to be expensive and look perfect to be special, but that is absolutely not the case. As a designer, my No. 1 goal is to ensure my clients love everything in their home and that everything has a special memory or evokes a good feeling for them.
It’s OK to want to look at your things in a different way. I encourage you to do it. Here are some tips that might inspire you to do just that:
- What is it about the item that is not “feeling” right for you?
- Is the location it’s currently in the best place for it?
- Can the item be used for a different purpose?
- Can it be painted?
- Does the item bring you joy when you see it?
- Does it bring special memories back to you?
By asking yourself the above questions, you may begin to see the item in a new light and want to make some changes.
Grandfather clock
Here is a perfect example of a homeowner who had a very dated and traditional grandfather clock in her home. She didn’t like the look of it so she did a bit of research, watched some YouTube videos and decided to take the leap and paint it.
As you can see, it now looks absolutely fabulous and is one of her most prized possessions. I’ve said it before and I don’t ever think I will tire of saying it: Paint can transform anything.
Bird cage and table
The daughter of a client found this gorgeous bird cage for her and it was sitting in a room while she struggled to figure out what to do with it. She knew what she wanted to put in the cage, but didn’t know what to actually do with the cage. It was too big to hang and too short to go on the floor.
I had the solution. I knew we needed to find the perfect table to place the cage on; not just any table, but a table that would really showcase the beauty of the bird cage.
We found a table, with a pedestal, that we could use as a base. We added the bird cage on top and it was a perfect fit.
As you can see, it looks amazing!
Vintage plates & mug set
Midwinter “Autumn” Stonehenge pottery has a very vintage, retro vibe that another client just loved. To her, they look like mini works of art and make her so happy. But instead of putting these on a shelf to display, she decided to use them every day and enjoy them.
Don’t keep something for a special occasion. If you love it, use it as much as you can. You’ll be happy you did.
Bentwood angel chair
Frequent co-collaborator Lana Doss and I spotted this chair at a thrift store. From a distance, we thought it was a heavy cane/rattan from the ’80s. As we got closer, we saw that it was much more special.
Lana knew she needed to love everything in her new space, decided that she did love it and bought it.
She had fun doing some research on the chair, which made the chair more special to her. As it turns out, it is an antique angel bentwood chair from the 1920s made by Austrian furniture makers Jacob & Josef Kohn.
We found the perfect spot for it where her five-year-old grandson now has a 100-year-old chair to sit on when he puts on his shoes.
Be open to the unexpected. Why not go on your own treasure hunt in your home? You’ll be glad at what you find and create.
