I really dig a good joke. I generally get a chuckle when my 7-year old son tells me a knock knock joke (which usually makes zero sense, but that’s not really the point), but give me a smart one-liner and I crack up. I think it’s why my husband and I are so good together – he’s a brainiac who can make nerd jokes that keep me laughing.
Okay, our jokes aren’t always smart.
I go to great lengths to make sure our personalities are reflected in our home. I never go for the adjectives of gorgeous, beautiful or even pretty. Instead, I go for awesome, fun and “Dude!” What gets me to that place is not to take myself – or my decorating – too seriously. When I have a crazy idea, I generally go for it instead of trying to hold myself back. What’s the worst that can happen? I work on something for a few days and then decide I don’t like it? Okay, fine. I’m sure I waste more time than that over the course of a week on Facebook.
My primary means of adding the fun to my decor is through quirk. To me, quirk has the ability to transform a pretty room into a fun room. It gets you thinking outside of the box to do something that generally seems odd. And it always makes you smile.
So, yes. I do have a light fixture made from a drum. And yes, I do have a giant sequined Elvis hanging on my wall, thank you, thank you very much. I mean, why not?
Some of my favorite bloggers also do quirk, and they do it so well. Nester has an amazing eye (and crazy brain) for quirky finds, and each post of hers gets me thinking, “Dang! She thought of that!!” And then I want to run to the thrift store and see if I can find my own bust to put an eye patch on. In fact, I might avoid working on my taxes and go do that today.
And who can forget her fur chair? I can’t. In fact, I go back and look at it about once a week. I’m a fur chair stalker.
Then there’s Gina. She also gets a “How did she think of that???” response from me. No entry way? No problem. Here’s a ladder for you to hang your coat.
My friend Mandi has a great eye for color. And she really increased my deep desire for a brightly colored carcass-y thing when she revealed her hot pink antlers. Always with the awesome, that one.
Even my friend Melissa, who does go for gorgeous interiors (a term which describes her home to a T), adds in some quirky elements. A collection of framed animal drawings, some of which are wearing suits? Yes, please! Animals wearing suits are always awesome.
Adding quirk into your home ups the ante a bit. You can still go for beautiful AND have a little fun at the same time. Just think of it as a little surprise party in your living room. It’s fun too see which of your guests will be in on the joke.
What quirky elements do you have in your home?
I love quirk and wish I had more of it in my home…but let’s face it, I am such a girly girl that it would be recognizably out of place!
You are funny!
I love quirk. That’s what makes a room unique and really feel like home. My favorite quirky element is an orange deer lamp in my modern living room: http://www.reallifenotes.com/2012/07/awesomest-lamp-ever/
I love that lamp!
“quirky is my favorite” said in my Will Ferrel in Elf voice.
seriously, I think most homes could be a little less, well, serious and have some fun adding in some quirk. LOVE your Elvis!!
Thanks, girl! And I love your…everything. 😀
I love quirky or whimsical–I put small plastic lizards in my plants on the leaves, along with butterflies and small birds. They are a surprise when you see them. I have plastic spiders in the corners of some of my windows–helps my daughter with spider phobia. I have wide lintels on my doors–old farmhouse with high ceilings which I put various doo dads–so when someone looks up, they see some thing quirky.
Oh, that’s fun!
I love quirky too. The Elvis pic is great! Maybe it does not quality as quirky, but I have a vintage Purity Dairy lighted sign in my kitchen and a chair back that hold my magazines against the wall by my bed. Things that make you feel good and smile are so much better than matchy matchy “regular” things!
That totally counts! They both sound amazing!
Thanks for the mention. I agree, I love having a bit of unexpected quirkiness here and there, like those random prints of framed animals in suits. If too much is quirky or strange in a house then I suppose quirk would seem, well, normal? I love a touch of quirkiness in my house, something that shows a funny side of my personality and takes you by surprise. Maybe even leaves you wondering if I realize those prints are of animals wearing suits. HAHA!
Great post!
HAHAHA! You’re too funny, Melissa. I heart you.
Love this post! 🙂
Thanks, Rene!
Hi Lindsay,
I just came across your blog when I saw Jaime’s facebook post about being at treehouse yesterday. Then I realized that I recognized a few of your projects from the blogosphere. Love your taste! We have been building a house for what seems like FOREVER and I’m dying to PLAY with my house again. It’s exciting to know I can get my quirk on since we won’t be selling this casa for a long long time.
Hooray for quirk! I’ve long said that it’s going to take the “right” buyer when it’s time to sell this house. Hopefully, we’ll be here for a really long time, too.
That’s so funny that your recognized some of my things! I’m flattered. 🙂