This Nostalgic 111-Year-Old Staple Is Making a Major Splash as Decor — and It’s So Unexpected

Written by

Daniela ArayaContributor
Daniela ArayaContributor
Daniela is a design writer and home enthusiast living in New York. When she’s not thinking about interior design, you can probably find her painting murals or lounging around with her basset hound. She is a big fan of bright colors and jumpsuits, amongst other things.
published Aug 20, 2024
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Living room with large windows and two tables.
Credit: Erin Derby

When I think back to being a kid, nothing could get me more excited than back-to-school supply shopping. There were notebooks (looking at you, Lisa Frank), folders, highlighters, and, of course, pencils. Whether you used one for a writing assignment in class, doodling, or passing notes to a friend, that staple #2 yellow pencil was always by your side. Today, this iconic item is making a comeback in home decor, but beyond just desktops. Enter: the coveted six-foot-tall Ticonderoga pencil.

No, that wasn’t a typo. There are six-foot replicas of the classic Ticonderoga pencil floating around, and finding one just so happens to be my decorating white whale. As silly as it might sound, I’ve always found comfort in writing supplies and stationery (don’t get me started on the smell of a new book). I’m also just a sucker for anything oversized and playful. Exhibit A: I have an oversized watch hanging on my living room wall.

Credit: Daniela Araya

As it turns out, I’m not the only one captivated by this larger-than-life school staple. More recently, I’ve noticed the much-admired giant pencil popping up on my Instagram feed in the homes of designers I follow, like Jen Levy of Surrounded by Color. “I’ll never forget when I first saw the pencil at Bi-Rite Studio in Brooklyn,” Levy explains. “It was 2018, and it was casually leaning up against a grid wall. It left such an impression on me. About six months later, I got one of my first big checks from a freelance job, and Dream Fishing Tackle had just posted a pencil. I bought it immediately.”

Credit: Jen Levy

It’s not just designers like Levy and me who have an affinity for these oversized everyday items. During one of my many online deep dives, I discovered the delight that was Think Big!, a store in New York City dedicated to supersized pencils, crayons, wrenches, toothbrushes, and more. It sadly closed in 1994, but prior to that it had even caught the attention of Hollywood, having one of its oversized keyboards featured in the movie Big, starring Tom Hanks.

So, why are oversized items trending right now, and why is this pencil making its way from the classroom into our homes? I went directly to the source, where I had tried to snag one of these giant pencils many times before. Barbara Piskorska, owner of Brooklyn vintage furniture and record shop Dream Fishing Tackle, attributes the pencil’s popularity to happiness and nostalgia.

“It brings people back to their childhood — a classic writing utensil and a joyful staple of growing up,” Piskorska explains. “When people see it in adult size, something just makes them want to gravitate towards it.” Fun fact: She’s found 13 pencils throughout her years sourcing (dream job!).

Credit: Jen Levy

Piskorska notes that if you do see one of these pencils in the wild, grab it ASAP. “Sourcing these pencils can be a little tough at times,” she adds. “In the vintage world, it usually has the roots of belonging to a school teacher or just being a classroom prop, and they are few and far between. Try your local vintage stores, and when you see it, buy it because it doesn’t come around so often!”

I often dream about how I would style my own jumbo pencil at home. I could take a page out of Levy’s book, who suggests leaning it upright in an unassuming corner. “My house has always been fairly ‘white’ and neutral, which makes the pencil unexpected,” says Levy. “It feels a little too wacky if other pieces around it are also trendy and colorful. It’s important not to pack too many pops into one space!” Or, Piskorska recommends standing it next to your favorite artwork, or even hanging it on the wall as a piece of art itself. Either way, it’s guaranteed to be a conversation starter.

Credit: Johnny Fog

I’m not giving up hope on finding one of these pencils. While it doesn’t write or erase, this is the one time I’ll put form over function in design — the piece holds a special place of nostalgia in my heart. If I don’t get lucky on a thrifting adventure soon, I could DIY the pencil myself, but something about the thrill of the hunt makes it even more enticing!