Decorative Items from "A" to "Z"

To Personalize Your Home, Broaden Your Definition of Art

You are already aware that artwork-drawings, paintings, and sculptures-can personalize your home. However, you don't need to limit yourself to these "conventional" forms of art when you decorate. If you broaden your definition of art, you will discover the untapped decorative potential in ordinary objects. Whether you've been living with bare walls and shelves for too long or you'd just like to add an unexpected twist to your existing décor, the list below will help you to jump start your imagination and think creatively about decorating your home. Remember that almost any two-dimensional object can be hung on the wall - with or without a frame!

As you read the list, you may wonder, "Napkins? Branches?" How am I supposed to decorate with this stuff?" The key is to think in terms of grouping or displaying items for the greatest visual impact. A collection of nine framed Provencal cloth napkins arranged in a grid would create a cheerful backdrop for a breakfast nook. The delicate twists of a Manzanita branch would be eye-catching against a dark wall above the bed in a contemporary bedroom. Your home should be a reflection of you-your unique soul, values, passions, experiences, and sense of humor. Remember to trust yourself; if you think it looks good, it does.

Decorative Items from A to Z

Consider these items when you are exploring ways to decorate your walls, shelves, tabletops, and mantels:

A-Advertisements, Aprons (vintage)

B-Blueprints, Board games, Baby clothes, Bandanas, Batik fabrics, Ballet slippers, Buttons (mounted in rows), Buckets, Baskets, Branches, Birdhouses, Birdcages, Birdbaths, Bottles, Banners, Books (stacked up or propped open to a favorite page), Bowling pins, Bells

C-Chalkboards, Canvases (painted a single color), Calendar images, Collages, CD Covers, Ceramic tiles, Curtains (not just for windows!), Candles, Coins, Clocks, Children's blocks, Charts, Comic books, Chopsticks (gathered in a vase), Calligraphy pieces