Swap the Mundane for Joy
One day I was feeling grumpy when I drove past a public trash can covered in intricate mosaic. The whole world paused for this moment of awe at the creativity, dedication, and generosity it took for that to happen. It reminded me of the sidewalks in Lisbon and my favorite bus stop in New Orleans. Every day is full of missed opportunities for whimsy, play, humor, and beauty. Whether your taste is as conservative and traditional as my bestie’s or as wild and layered as Iris Apfel, there is space to swap the mundane for a little sip of joy.
My first bespoke light fixture, jerry-rigged by yours truly. I am inordinately proud of this.
Here we swapped out the cord for a woven cranberry alternative.
Stencils seem like such a whimsical flourish, but they're so practical. They're like patterned rugs: they hide the inescapable mess. Shaking dogs after a rainy walk? Check. Muddy soccer players? Check. Dragging a Christmas tree through the space? Check. Yeah, the mess is there and will be so much better when you give it a magic eraser scrub, but in the meantime you can notice the pattern instead.
It's like Victoria's Secret. Demure on the surface and rainbow in the utility closet. Fun pompom tassel from Mexico replaced the light pull.
Baseboards are so boring! Tile and paint make a unique and joyful substitute.
Importing antique lights from Europe is a fun risk, but this one with its floral band is an absolute treasure!