Simple Discoveries (Part 2)
A color, A book, and A bowl
A POP OF COLOR
A warm welcome to any environment, picture, or garment has and always will be a pop of color. Color like a bright red mixed in with some denim just as Levi’s has been doing for generations. A green light that stands out from a quiet background like a bankers lamp. Even a simple bright yellow raincoat on a dreary day. Though this has always been an active form of expression in design, some of us, like myself, have struggled to find the confidence to fully engage with it. I’ll know something is missing from an outfit, but each time I try something bright, it suddenly feels too bold. Every time I’ve tried to tie a red bandana in with a white tee and some jeans, I immediately feel like I’m an extra in the movie Grease. That being said, I recently discovered a great way to add these pops of color to my outfits, and that is through pens. I found that while carrying a pen on my person, I can have these bright pops of color more subtly in my wardrobe. It never feels like too much or a try hard anymore. So if you’re looking to add some additional color to your personal space, using small accessories or tools like pens to that space can help create something bold without feeling like you’re about to break out into song.
NEVER TOO SMALL
I currently live in a smaller home space. A house that feels condensed and with walls that cut off proper flow. As someone who loves hosting individuals at my place, it becomes hard to host more than just a hand full at a time, unless the gathering is more so meant to be outside. The tight corridors and little room for error makes it hard to visualize a space that provides adequate entertaining opportunities. A recent inspiration for me as I have been looking for new and better ways to create a lively space, has been a youtube channel called Never Too Small.
This page “is a video channel dedicated to small footprint design and living; featuring award-winning designers and their tiny / micro apartments, studios and self-contained projects.”
Often times, though I certainly wish I had a more spacious living area, I find myself tempted to engage in a simpler lifestyle of living such as these designs romanticize. It continues to remind me of the different and interesting ways we can utilize spaces that don’t naturally fit the expectations that we are used to. So if you’re living in a smaller apartment or home like myself, and struggle to be inspired with it, I highly suggest checking out their page. They also offer a wonderful coffee table book showcasing these designs if you prefer something in reading. Never Too Small: Reimagining Small Space Living
A PROPER BOWL
Bowls are the superior dish. Whether eating, drinking, or displaying from them, a proper bowl can really stand out in the home. They can come in all shapes and sizes with different designs displayed on them, whether on the outside or inside.
I personally love a proper display bowl to hold all those small little collectible trinkets that you want to show off, but don’t really have a great way to do so. For my current living room display, I found my bowl at Brick+Mortar.
Like many, I like to collect and display the many matchbooks and boxes that I’ve collected from my local restaurants. Something that commemorates the experience if it was good, reminding myself to visit there again.
As my collection grows, I’ll need to eventually upgrade the size of my display, but in the meantime, this piece is one of my new favorites. It’s a vintage Japanese made ceramic, that adds color and classic design to my space, helping to create something that feels traditional amongst some more modern pieces. So if you’re struggling to find a way to display those small matchbooks, coasters, enamel pins, or other knickknacks, consider finding a vintage piece like this one to help display it all.