For my other job, I've been spending a lot of time at thrift stores and flea markets (I'm lucky) armed with petty cash and a list to check off. Amidst the credenzas, lamps, chairs, dining room tables and vintage linens I'm shopping for, I've come across some pretty spectacular kitsch. With my partner in crime (who shall remain nameless) we've zeroed in on incredible cat decor that is awesomely bad.
When Bad is Awesome: Collecting While Away
We want to create a salon style hanging of all the great cat paintings we find and then balance it with a shelf full of cat figurines. Neither of us, however, is really dying to have more stuff, so we're satisfying this craving another way, one that is lighter on the budget and great for when you're traveling.
We're photographing our favorites and when this project is over we're going to create a virtual cat wall in photoshop. It's working out pretty well so far (we've caved and printed out some of the pictures and put them up on the wall to help wean us form the real thing), we've got quite a few contenders (including that top image, how awesomely bad is it!). It's a fun thing to do while we're working that doesn't really take up any time and it doesn't cost us anything.
So we've decided to apply this same idea to all the great stuff we're tempted to buy while on vacation. Something about being far away and knowing there's no second chance to go back and get something puts our impulse buying into overdrive, so now we're committing to photographing the finds instead of finding space in our wallets and suitcases for them. It's a way of putting the apartment on a diet and living with less (without having to give a lot up).
(Image: Laure Joliet)
Comments (15)
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Please say that cat's eyes open and close when you move the picture - that would make it the best creepy-cool thing of all time.
view mmepatty's profile
A collection of kitsch? How original. Kitty-kitsch?
view FantasticMrFaux's profile
Where are the rest of the pictures?!
view dyskrasia's profile
Dolores Umbridge gone wild?
view Joan in SB's profile
Spending your day hunting in a thrift stores!? What's your other job if I may ask?
view quinnley's profile
Maybe I missed it, but what was the point of this post?
view manjari's profile
Quinnley, I work for a designer here in LA. We're currently furnishing 5 lofts in the Marina and finished up 5 downtown a couple of months ago so I've been all over town combing for treasures!
view laure's profile
How fun Laure!
view Lizzykewl's profile
In an especially modern environment, kittens would be particularly amusing.
view tenderleaf's profile
I love kitsch and would have loved to have seen more kitty-kitsch pictures!
view suzy8track's profile
I am completely behind this idea.
view adrienne breaux's profile
Fully support this. It's going to be so good.
You should check out the Kattenkabinet though - a museum in Amsterdam dedicated to everything cat. Best place I have ever, ever been. It's a little less hilarious kitsch, but still oh so good.
view gridpaper's profile
I love the idea of taking pictures of souvenirs instead of buying them!
view lemonadefish's profile
This is hilarious! I love decor that makes you laugh. But then, I have a giant poster of my favorite lolcat. It really can be executed well, whether in an overwhelming tribute wall or in very small doses, in out-of-the-way places.
view matchbookhymnal's profile
Look up the "kittens inspired by kittens" video on YouTube... it's narrated by a little girl and it's hilarious... totally reminds me of that.
view Lafferteezy's profile