Platinum Author
Everyone is talking about a certain 88 year old actress lately. After a long hiatus from an acclaimed 1980's sitcom, this actress has suddenly emerged back into the mass media; appearing on television, presenting at award shows and starring in Summer movies. As I thought about her sudden resurgence into pop culture, I started to think about recycling (sorry, wonderful 88 year old actress) and how we, as a society, sometimes discard things just because they are old.
Even if they are still useful, the lure of something new will often tempt us in a way that makes us forget about the things that we are leaving behind. Good grief, as soon as I wrote that I could hear the metaphors, but it wasn't intentional, so I'm leaving it in! Instead of mixing metaphors, I decided to wander around my house and photograph some things that I have re-purposed, to fill a practical (or decorative) need.
Don't get me wrong, this is not a lecture on recycling, or saving the planet, more a reminder that we often have the items we need sitting in our houses already. Using unexpected things, for ordinary reasons, will always add personality to a home. Before buying, check around your home to see if you already have what you are looking for. It may not be exactly what you wanted, but that doesn't mean you can't use it (eg. put jewelry in your best china bowl or hang a painting with brightly colored thumb tacks).
Things are a little like people; just because we are old and worn, doesn't mean that we should be discarded. With age comes a certain warmth and character, that often escapes the brand new. From a life well lived, we can learn about history, and how strong something was in the beginning. The damage is exposed, valued because of the imperfections that came from it's experience.
I am not suggesting that we never throw anything away, just that we stop and think about what we have. Appreciate something for what it is, then evaluate whether or not it can still be useful to you - in your home (or in your life).
I can't add pictures to this article, but I can tell you some of the things that I photographed in my own home. As you can see, the list is endless....
A Plant hanging inside an empty Picture Frame.
A sentimental, Chipped Cup for Pens.
Old Wooden Vent as Door Decoration.
Tie Rack to hold(apparently, a lot of) Necklaces.
Wine box for Magazines.
Metal table from outside, polyurethaned and used as my coffee table.
Children's shoes organized (?) in a Fruit Crate.
Empty Jam Jar filled with Pencils.
Shells, broken flower pots and a miniature terrarium nestled in a glass ball.
Fine China soup owl on an outside picnic table, filled with water for the birds.
Small, cracked Turtle aquarium holds receipts and cards.
Wicker basket, painted black, hides the speakers for my computer.
About this Author
If you loved this article, go directly to Wendy's blog for more observations on life, style and decorating.
http://wendyandthebluegiraffe.blogspot.com/
For additional bio and company information, please check out her website or contact her directly.
Website: http://www.thebluegiraffe.com/
Email: wendy@thebluegiraffe.com
Telephone: 1-973-584-3501
Wendy E. Wrzos is a certified Interior Redesign Specialist, located in Morris County, New Jersey
She is a member, and frequent blog contributor, of the ADE (Association for Design Education)
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wendy_E._Wrzos
