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{31 Days to an Eclectic Home} Day 27 – Authentic Decor

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Today is Day 27 of a 31 day series on creating and cultivating an eclectic home.  For some crazy reason, I have accepted The Nester’s challenge to write on the same theme every day for the month of October.  This may end up killing me.  Or you.  But, I appreciate you reading and welcome your comments.

A few years ago, I began noticing that many of the home decor stores were selling found and one-of-a-kind objects.  Part of that intrigued me, but the rest of it made me a little sad that the treasure hunt was being taken out of creating an eclectic home.

Pottery Barn Found Dough Bowls

It then occurred to me that there are parts of the country where people don’t have access to excellent vintage and thrift stores like I do.  Being able to buy found objects via a decor store suddenly make that style much more accessible.  The same rings true for Etsy being an accessible place for consumers to purchase handmade and vintage goods.

Yesterday, the New York Times ran an article touching on these themes.  In “All that Authenticity May Be Getting Old,” Emily Weinstein discusses found and reproduction items being sold via stores such as West Elm and Pottery Barn.  She also explores the opinion that authentic, handmade and one-of-a-kind decor may simply be a trend that will go by the wayside in a decade.

I disagree with the premise that authenticity is a trend.  Actually, the thought that authenticity could be a trend scares me.  What does that say about us as a society?  And, instead of bemoaning that vintage objects are easily accessible these days, I’m happy that other home enthusiasts have that opportunity if they choose to take it.  I personally enjoy the thrill of the hunt, but not everyone shares in that thrill.

If you have the chance, read the NYT article and let me know your thoughts.  Do you think authenticity is a trend?  And is it really authentic if you buy it from the pages of a glossy catalog?

About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Comments

  2. HopefulLeigh says

    I guess it depends on how we define authenticity, especially as to how it relates to home decor. Is a reproduction authentic? In my mind, no. It might look like the real deal but it’s not. I will still look for unique items that speak to my aesthetic. That’s not to say I can’t find these things at Pottery Barn or West Elm but that I don’t shop for authenticity but for items that resonate with my tastes and who I am. That won’t change, whether this current trend does or not.

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  3. Erin says

    I don’t mind retail stores selling found objects (although the idea of buying “one-of-a-kind” from a catalog feels somewhat contradictory, doesn’t it? How unique is a piece really if everyone on the block can go to Pottery Barn and buy the same dough bowls? But I have nothing against these stores, and I shop them all myself from time to time.) What does sadden me, though, is seeing people buying into all the low-quality, mass-produced reproductions. Let’s be honest: a faux industrial coffee table from World Market is NOT authentic. For me, the love of a vintage/industrial/modern/eclectic look is partially about a commitment to reduce/reuse/recycle by making thoughtful and responsible decisions about the pieces that I bring into my home. In that sense, I don’t think authenticity is a trend, but a way of life. Does that make sense?

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  4. Lindsay says

    I agree with your other commentors – I don’t think a mass-produced “one-of-a-kind” treasure is authentic at all. Now a truly authentic, well-made, truly vintage “one-of-a-kind” item is a whole other story (mainly because it really does have a story). I like the look of some of the mass-produced stuff, but in the end I don’t buy it because I feel like a fake.

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  5. Heather @ Commonplace Beauty says

    Very interesting topic. I think that authenticity will always be in style – timeless. However, I do think that it also happens to be quite the rage and that element will eventually fade. I don’t think buying a some of these vintage, “one of a kind but similar” items from a catalog is not authentic. To your earlier point, I have little access to many items like this in my part of the country. But I laugh when people (myself included) buy an “authentic reproduction.” LOL! Just a clarification, I think it’s perfectly fine to buy a reproduction – I have them in my home where they have met my financial and aesthetic needs, sometimes they are “placeholders” until I can find that truly special piece and some end up staying because life is just too short sometimes and there isn’t enough time in the day (or money in the budget) to do all I’d like to do! Thanks for posting this!

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  6. Jessica says

    What I think the difference is, is the between the people who actually ENJOY found items…meaning they enjoy searching for that one odd item that fits right into their already “found” decor. And then you have the people who will jump on a trend wave and ride it until its over. Some people are merely buying these found objects so their house looks like something out of Architectural Digest (because those of us who are actually serious about found items, are never in Pottery Barn looking for them in the first place! We don’t like the idea of “one stop” shopping obviously!)…after all, who wants their decor to be stuck in the 90’s when every one else has moved to the modern eclectic style? So that is how I can see it being identified as a trend. When you’re doing it merely to keep up with the Jones. Then there are those of us who are just grateful what we’ve been doing for so long is finally “on trend”..but even if it’s not, our homes will still look the same. But, typical America, we will dispose of this trend and move on to something else soon enough.

    It seems to be a double edge sword with what is going on with Etsy. The website was started so that a mass of artists and collectors could have one place for consumers to search for hand made and vintage goods. In ways I feel like, advertising Etsy, at say, West Elm, drags corporate America into a place they just shouldn’t be. And let’s be honest, everything corporate America touches turns into a lump of greed and is soiled quicker than a newborn’s diaper. However, marketing in places like West Elm brings more foot traffic to Etsy, which is beneficial for everyone selling. I think as long as they don’t blur the lines (i.e. I never want to look on Etsy and see any advertising with Pottery Barn or West Elm…or even worse, Etsy getting sold to one of these companies) I think both can live in harmony advancing each other.

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  7. Tricia Hicks says

    I recently bought a dough bowl at an estate sale. She lived in a log cabin and had the most beautiful “primitive” pieces, all priced accordantly. Your post reminds me of the Friends episode when Rachael didn’t want Pheobe to know that her apothecary piece actually came from PB. At the time, I’d never heard of PB! Anyway, for me, like you, it’s the thrill of the hunt that makes me appreciate things more. Even if I could afford it, I don’t think I’d buy a “found” item from any of the mass producer stores. I have enjoyed your month of posts.
    Blessings from Tennessee,
    Tricia

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  8. statia says

    I tend to buy what I’m drawn to. If I like a style, I will try to go out of my way to find something “original vintage” instead of mass produced, but that said, if there’s a chair that I like, and I know I’ll never find it elsewhere, I’ll just buy the chair. My goal is to make my house look like my own house, not a pottery barn catalog, and not as bland as it once was when I moved in. I want more texture, and color. I’m not a fan of different colored furniture, which is something I’m learning about myself, so I pull color from other areas in my decor.

    I like vintage things, not from the recycling aspect of it (that’s a nice feeling too, but not my primary motive), but more from nostalgia and obviously the quality is way better than it is at Pottery Barn.

    1. I don’t think buying from a catalog makes it “authentic” unless it’s truly one of a kind, (which means it isn’t really authentic, is it?). Authentic reproduction, yes. I think companies use that term loosely to justify them marking up mediocrity.
    2. Of course authentic will go by the way side. Just like wallpaper is coming back (didn’t think I’d see it come back so soon, and I’ll never like it, no matter what). Everything is cyclical. Eventually vintage will be old, and there will be a lot less yuppies at auctions and flea markets (yipee).

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