I believe in a gathered home that is full of memories, meaningful pieces, and treasures with a story to tell. It is easy to click “purchase now” on the latest trends but I’ve found that the art of creating a gathered space takes time and patience.
As Andy and I have transitioned from being a family unit of two to a growing family of three, the life that is filling our home has taken on a new dimension. Instead of constantly looking for how to change our space, I’m now gravitating towards lasting timeless pieces and smaller additions that add layers and dimensions to our home. This philosophy is also conducive to our current rental living that requires us to pick up and move without the benefit of a renovation ROI. I now tend to appreciate unique pieces more and smaller accents have been much easier to interject into a new space if you aren’t in a forever home. Here are some of my personal recommended elements you can use to start creating a gathered home–even if you are renting or in college.
Facebook Marketplace DIY
Searching Facebook Marketplace for treasured pieces that have “good bones” or a particular style is a great place to start. Our kitchen table is one of my favorite pieces in our home that I found and refinished. It will be a piece that I carry with us from home to home. There is nothing a little time, luck, and effort can’t transform. Searching for pieces this way is not only more sustainable but it also allows you to create a piece that is completely unique. I keep a wishlist of pieces I hope to bring into our home and continue to search Facebook Marketplace until I find it. My recommendation would be to always start your search here!
Vintage
On weekends where Andy is working and I have free time, I like to take a trip downtown and scour the vintage furniture stores. New Orleans has been such a treasure in this realm. Vintage pieces are irreplaceable treasures that tell a story and can make your space quite unique. I love remembering where I bought a piece and seeing it move from home to home. There are a ton of good options for purchasing vintage online now too, but there is nothing like a good vintage store stroll!
Online Resources for Vintage:
Pillows: MyHavenHome, Cloth and Main, Homegirl Collection
Rugs: OttomanHouse, OldnewHouse
Furniture and Homegoods: OneKingLane (my bedroom dresser is actually from here), eBay, Charish Co., CraigsList
Ceramics: Elsie Green
Ceramics
Having an array of different bowls, vases, platters, and trays allow you to add layers and accents to your space. I love having different varieties on hand and have slowly started collecting them during holiday sales. They also make great gifts for family and friends.
Lamps
Lamps are another great way to add layers to your home. As soon as the sun goes down, the lamps come on in our household. I love setting the mood with dimmer lighting to make for a cozy evening. Lamps can also be moved around and provide easy accents in every room.
Books
In addition to my growing ceramic collection, I also have an obsession with coffee table books. I found the majority through ThriftBooks and they often come worn and a bit tattered. But, I love the worn look. To me, it means it was well loved. I also like to pick up coffee table books from my travels to remember the trip. When layering a space, I like to throw a couple books under a ceramic bowl on a coffee table to create a warm layered look.
