Home Design Hurdles Part 2: How To Make The Sentimental Feel Intentional?

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We all have it. That one piece that you absolutely love because of the memories that it holds, the gift that it was to you or the heirloom that you have been passed down. It might be slightly worn, or not quite your style or something that you have no idea how to use, but nevertheless, you just CAN’T bring yourself to get rid of it! If you have followed along from Part One of our Home Design Hurdles series (or missed it and want to check it out, you can HERE!) and now have your creative juices flowing, I wanted to switch gears to analyzing how to make the sentimental feel intentional. If you followed through the steps last week and now have gathered all of your items to determine how to use them, there might be several pieces in your collection that you love because of their sentimentality but not quite for their design charm. Seeing this, please don’t throw them out just yet and let’s take a look at how you can refresh old pieces to give them new life. 

Take A Look At Framing

Who says that framing only has to be for pictures? Framing or reframing can be a fabulous way to update an old or sentimental item. For example, if you have an art piece that you were given from your grandmother and you like the print but have never hung it because of the wildly ornate black frame and wine colored mat which doesn’t correspond with your style, then reframing the piece in a style that you love can save the artwork and make it something that you look forward to using. Change out the ornate black frame for a delicate gold frame with a wide white mat or a combination that coordinates with your current design and suddenly, you have TOTALLY refreshed your piece. Or, even simpler, if you love the frame it currently comes with, just switch up the mat color and, viola, the piece has been revived!

Similarly, if your sentimental item is not framed already, look at framing it! You can frame recipes, fabric, clothes, quilts, maps, architectural plans and many other items to transform an ordinary subject into art. Framing recipes in your grandmother’s handwriting and using them as art in your kitchen or framing a special outfit from your childhood can make for unique art in your own kids’ nursery. 

Here is a list of sentimental items that can be refreshed simply by taking a look at framing or reframing the piece: 

Give A Little Refreshing TLC

If your sentimental or antique item is a little big to frame or place in a shadowbox – aka is furniture – take a look at refinishing the piece. A change in upholstery can do wonders for transforming an antique chair into something that you love. On the other hand, if it is a wooden furniture piece or something not upholstered, look at painting or refinishing the item. When Charlie and I first got married, a friend of the family was giving away a china cabinet. While it wasn’t our style and the wood was not in good shape, it was free and therefore we jumped on the opportunity! After painting it the color of our kitchen cabinets, it became a great storage piece that we have thoroughly enjoyed.

Conditioning 

While painting a piece of furniture can be amazing for transforming an old item, I primarily only recommend it if the finish is really destroyed or if you aren’t going to use it at all unless it’s painted. If it is a solid wood furniture piece that just needs a little sprucing, I would recommend using a Beeswax Wood Polish & Conditioner like THIS one which will nourish and bring back the wood to life. Frequently old wood is hungry for moisture and will soak up this conditioner allowing it to glow in a rich and healthy way. Inexpensive and super simple to use, this polish and conditioner does not strip and refinish the wood but instead nourishes the wood back to its former glory. I would not recommend it for lacquered or heavily finished furniture since it does not strip the wood, but otherwise, there are not many options easier to implement than this one for giving new life to an old or sentimental wooden treasure. 

Mix It Up With Styling

While perhaps the most tricky yet design intentional way to refresh your sentimental pieces is with styling them in a room. Styling can help to make or break the way that a piece feels, so pulling together a space can feel intimidating, but here are a few of my go to tips. 

Mix The Old With The New

If you are integrating a sentimental antique piece, but don’t want your whole space to feel antique, then pair it with a more modern compliment – ex. An antique chest (which you refreshed from above!) with a modern mirror and transitional lamp. A heirloom piano with bright abstract art. A collection of decorative plates hung over a modern console. A modern chair with a vintage footstool or side table. 

Layer, Layer, Layer

Don’t be afraid to layer rugs, bookshelves, consoles, credenzas or chests with a variety of pieces. Layer antique art over mirrors. Antique rugs over sisal rugs. Decorative objects, small clocks, or plants on books. Cowhide rugs over geometric rugs. 

Pay Attention To Proportions

When layering or styling, pay attention to proportions. Typically, an art piece or mirror should be at least two thirds the width of whatever it is over (console, credenza, piano, chest, sofa etc.) to balance out the scale. You most certainly can have an oversized piece that is the same width as whatever it is over, but want to avoid items that are far too small as the proportions will feel out of sorts. Similarly, look to use odd numbers if styling bookshelves, consoles, chests etc. This will help the space to feel both balanced and intentional.

Final Thoughts

There are so many ways that a sentimental object can be incorporated intentionally throughout your designs! From framing to refreshing to styling, being purposeful to integrate an antique or well loved item can help it to feel like a welcome design statement that is truly special to YOU! So, when you rearrange and design the space that you are dreaming of, don’t think that you have to just buy all new and start totally fresh. Revaluate the presentation of certain items and soon, they just might become the statement that you were looking for. Need a little more help? I would be happy to talk with you through our design consultation packages to determine just the right approach for transforming your sentimental items. In the meantime though, what is your favorite way to transform old treasures? I’d love to know your thoughts in the comment section below!

Happy refreshing!

Chloe

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