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

Embracing The Weird (& The Wonderful) In Your Home DecorWoa 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

Cactus Sculpture // Embracing the Weird (and Wonderful) in Home Decor.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.

Cactus Sculpture // Embracing the Weird (and Wonderful) in Home Decor.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

The Water Workshop I by Agnes CecileFor 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.

The Water Workshop I by Agnes CecileIf 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?

Cat Decor // Embracing the Weird (and Wonderful) in Home Decor.

Or these?  (Beer steins from Germany!)

German Beer Steins // Embracing the Weird (and Wonderful) in Home Decor.

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.

Hands Sculpture // Embracing the Weird (and Wonderful) in Home Decor.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.

Hands Sculpture // Embracing the Weird (and Wonderful) in Home Decor.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:

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

Once you begin adding the quirky, the vintage and, occasionally, downright ‘weird’ it will be hard to go back! Trust me 🙂

Happy decorating 🙂

 

For more home decor and craft ideas from around the web, check out Link Party PaloozaHandmade HangoutHome MattersShow and TellInspire Me MondayMerry MondayThe Creative CornerMeet Up MondayMonday FundayHappiness Is Homemade, Snickerdoodle SundayShare It One More TimeDare To ShareBest of the WeekendPeace/Love Link UpSweet InspirationPretty Pintastic PartyBFF Open House Link PartyCreativity UnleashedThe DIY Collective, The Creative ExchangeThe Wednesday Round UpNo Rules Weekend Blog PartyWelcome Home Wednesdays and Tutorials & Tips.

 

 

10 Comments

  • Reply
    Celeste
    June 20, 2016 at 4:17 pm

    So true, I love finding those little quirky odds and ends for my home! They add so much personality and uniqueness to the home. Plus, they usually have a wonderful story to go along with them. Those are the best kind!

    • Reply
      Jelica
      June 20, 2016 at 4:50 pm

      I truly believe that it’s those whimsical and quirky pieces that make a house a home! And you’re right Celeste, I too love the stories that go along with them. And when you get them home, they become talking points with guests – so the stories continue!

  • Reply
    handmade by amalia
    June 20, 2016 at 11:23 pm

    These are fun. I like a touch of whimsy in a home.
    Amalia
    xo

    • Reply
      Jelica
      June 21, 2016 at 9:30 am

      Thanks Amalia! Me too 🙂

  • Reply
    Claudia Blanton
    June 23, 2016 at 5:04 pm

    oh my, you have such a stunning sense of style – modern yet warm, I love it! I might have to hire you once we move in a couple of months, lol. Those hands are gorgeous! And thanks for all of those links, you just made my afternoon!

    • Reply
      Jelica
      June 23, 2016 at 8:34 pm

      So glad you found the post useful. I am a big fan of all the blogs listed, especially Emily Henderson. She is a wealth of information on styling a home with some whimsy in mind. Take care!

  • Reply
    Mary-the boondocks blog
    July 9, 2016 at 5:30 am

    Jelica I love this post. I think this is exactly the way a home should be. Full of fun and quirkiness. I also display my kids artwork which is not mainstream at all. I don’t care for traditional, been there done that, now it’s time to move forward and express our individuality. I love everything in this post, especially the artwork of Agnes Cecile. Pinning and sharing.

    • Reply
      Jelica
      July 9, 2016 at 9:28 am

      Thanks so much Mary! I love that you proudly display your kids’ artwork. I’ve often seen kids’ artwork framed and displayed on a gallery wall that looks amazing! I truly believe in injecting a little quirkiness in the home. Glad to know I’m in good company 🙂

  • Reply
    Michelle Leslie
    July 11, 2016 at 3:49 am

    Oh I adore weird decor and the art work by Agnes Cecile is gorgeous. I think I need do some shopping at Society 6 and ThirdShift. Thanks for the tips Jelica.

    • Reply
      Jelica
      July 11, 2016 at 7:43 am

      Agnes Cecile’s stuff is pretty spectacular. She is self-taught and a young artist, but her work seems to have captured a lot of international attention. Society 6 has prints of her work and a lot of other interesting artists. Lots to explore!

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