The New York Times T Magazine Inside Out column recently featured a poignant article by Rita Konig, Necessary Luxuries, in which she discusses the surprising items that have proved to hold the dearest place in her home.
She encourages new renters not to get overwhelmed by the large and seemingly crucial purchases such as furniture, as the important things are often the smaller ones that bring, beauty, and fun to your home. I especially loved this section:
"Your mother...might be suggesting that you should be saving to buy the dining table before indulging in that pretty set of dessert plates you have spotted somewhere. But the plates will bring immediate joy, and they represent friends coming over for fun evenings, even if you are all sitting on the floor! And isn’t that the picture in your mind’s eye when you are thinking of your first apartment? It was for me."
So true! What have been the pieces that you've loved for years, though at the time of purchase they may have seemed less-than-necessary, even frivolous?
Image: Mark Virata/Bronwyn Hughes for Design*Sponge
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Recipe: Ham, Cheddar & Chive Egg Bakes
My giant bowl from Fez. People thought I was crazy for carrying that back, especially because I was living in a dorm at the time (and at times during the trip, I though they were right), but I'm so glad I have it. If you only buy little things when you're abroad because they're easy to pack, you end up with a house full of knick knacks. Also, my Sarah van Niekerk prints. I was too young and too poor to be buying art, but I did it anyway.
that article was definitely the push i needed for my Fornasetti plates.
Original art (paintings) from artists with whom I used to share gallery space.
Now ask about "the ones that got away!" ;^)
Current favorites:
Lawn flamingo given to me by a friend, recently spray-painted gray and decorating my bathroom.
Vintage bankers lamp found on etsy.
Various vintage Corelle dishes.
Big brown leather club chair and ottoman (a hand-me-down from an old landlord).
Sea captain's desk that I made my father keep in his garage for close to ten years before I finally had a place for it.