Embracing The Weird (& The Wonderful) in Your Home Decor

Woa now, what’s up with that title? I must have rewritten it a dozen times before I ultimately settled on it. It’s better than the alternative I had in mind which was “So I Bought a Pair of Hands Today…” While more clever – if a little creepy (more on those hands later) – it didn’t exactly express what I wanted to share with all of you which is this: On the way to finding your home style, don’t forget to embrace all that is weird (and wonderful) in your home decor! Over the years, I’ve noticed that the things that seemed to give me the greatest pleasure, the things that put a smile on my face, have almost always been the unusual, the quirky, and, may I say, downright weird decor pieces that I’ve picked up. Mind you, my home is no ‘cabinet of curiosities’ but I do like to add a bit of quirkiness here and there. It’s these things that add an element of the unexpected and the interesting and truly personalize the home. At its core, when we give ourselves permission to even like ‘weird’ decor, let alone own or display it, we allow ourselves to be authentic. And, quite honestly, there is something liberating in that.

So today, I’m giving you a brief tour of a few of the more unusual accessories I own as well as some links to resources that will inspire you to embrace your quirkier side 😉

CACTUS CURIOSITY

I picked up this 19 inch cactus very recently at the Urban Barn. I happen to be talking to the salesperson about a different object entirely when she said, ‘you know, you might like the cactus that goes with that.’ I thought, ‘yeah right, another sales pitch.’ But when she brought it over, I smiled from ear to ear.

My giddy reaction is usually the tell-tale sign. It was on sale, too – the clincher 🙂 Now, who wouldn’t want a cactus in their home? Well, actually, a lot of people, I realize, but as I am a sucker for sculptural pieces with a bit of whimsy I decided to take it.

PECULIAR ART

For those of you who have been following the blog for a while now, you may recognize this rather eccentric print. Art is another great way to add a bit of the unusual in your home decor. And perhaps it is the most acceptable way since artists often use the medium to interpret the world through a very unique lens. Far from showcasing the obvious and the ‘recognizable’ the maverick artist of this piece, Agnes Cecile, represents the world in a slightly bizarre and provocative way.

If you are looking for ways to embrace a bit of the weird in your home, why not start with an unusual piece of art? You can find eclectic and inexpensive prints, including those by Agnes Cecile, at Society 6.

ODDS & ENDS

Now, we all have those pieces that have yet to find a home. You know what I’m talking about. Those quirky items that we’ve purchased only to find out that we’re not sure what or where we should display them. After all, we’re grown-ups who are trying to create a sophisticate, grown-up space. What in the world can we do with something like this?

Or these? (Beer steins from Germany!)

While I LOVE these items, they’re real ‘head-scratchers.’ For the moment, the beer steins are heading into the basement to be displayed in my husband’s ‘man space.’ As for the cat decor?…well, I still haven’t decided yet. A bit kitschy, yes, but definite keepers for this crazy cat lady 😉

HANDS SCULPTURE

And now, for those hands I mentioned at the top of this post.

Oh how I love this piece! Quirky? Check. Sculptural? Check. Downright weird? Check and check! Strangely enough (pun unintended), I had been looking for a hands sculpture for a long time. I kept seeing photos in home style magazines and online that I quite liked and even saw one at my local home goods store, but it looked more like it belonged in a child’s playroom. But when I saw this particular pair I knew I had to have it.

You can stand it up – as I did here – but you can also lay it down and use it as a catch-all for keys or jewelry. For now, I’m hoping to find a cloche in which to display this lovely, quirky piece!

TIPS & LINKS

Now, if you are a traditionalist who’d like to take some risks with quirkier decor, but you just don’t know where to start, here are some tips and resources to get you started.

Start Small. The best way to begin adding more personality into your home is by starting with small items that can be seamlessly incorporated into your decor. Add a small and quirky accessory in a bookcase display, on your coffee table, on a stack of books, on a side table, as part of a gallery wall or any vignette. The trick is to incorporate it within a larger display so that it appears to fit in. For a more seamless appearance, coordinate it with the colours in your vignette or gallery wall. Later, when you feel more confident, you can let items stand on their own or use colour to allow the piece to stand out. One of my favourite designers, Emily Henderson, is perhaps the best at incorporating quirky pieces into grown-up decor. Style By Emily Henderson is a great resource. And don’t forget to watch her styling videos where she always finds a way to add a quirky piece in the mix. Here is just a taste: How To Style A Nightstand.

Viva Le Vintage. One of the best places to find out-of-the-box accessories that you can’t find anywhere else is at second hand shops. Most towns have at least one, so why not explore? There are so many treasures to be found there. In fact, I found my cat sculpture at a local thrift store. Even as a minimalist, I find it difficult to resist the urge to purchase at least one item each time I go. If, however, you have a taste for vintage, but don’t always know how you might repurpose the item, I’d suggest you visit a few bloggers who are expert at turning trash into treasure. Here are a few to get you started: Funky Junk Interiors, Vin’yet Etc, and My Salvaged Treasures. Their homes are full of craft, DIY and styling tips for incorporating vintage into your home.

Online Shops. Browse online shops that specialize in artsy or vintage decor and you are bound to find quirky, interesting pieces. Here are a few of my favourites:

Vintage: ThirdShift
Edgy: Society 6
Eclectic: Fine Little Day
Etsy is also a great site to explore to look for unique, handmade items.

Blogs Baby. Read blogs that inspire quirky, creative decor style and DIY ideas. These are just a few of my favourites:

A Beautiful Mess (Lifestyle Blog – bright, cheerful with a vintage twist)
Paper & Stitch (Lifestyle Blog – modern, cheerful, creative fun)
Aunt Peaches (Home Style & DIY – bright, colourful and chalk full of good humour)
The Seasoned Homemaker (Homemaking – traditional home crafts with a focus on sewing)
SFGirlByBay (Home Style & DIY – beautiful bohemian modern homes)
The House That Lars Built (Home Style & DIY – cheerful Scandinavian with a dose of vintage)
The Jungalow (Home Style & DIY – bohemian style, crafts and DIY’s)