Tastefully Bring Your City or Town Into Your Decor
When I purchased my condo in Boston, I did a little research into the history of my building. It turns out that it used to be a hotel called The Bellevue and it turns out it has quite the history. I see ghost tours in my neighborhood daily and need to take it myself to have more to report back on.
It’s said that President Kennedy ran his presidential campaign from two suites in my building. Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy lived in the unit below mine. It had a restaurant and boasted air conditioning and live music. Wow, I wish those days were back.
I searched on Ebay and Etsy to see if I could purchase any memorabilia from my building and it turns out I could. I have a menu that I framed from Chuck’s 21, a restaurant in my building. Food for Thought on the last page leaves one thinking, huh?
I also found a black and white photograph of Old City Hall – just a block away from me and that hangs on my guest bathroom wall, along with two other black and white photographs of Scollay Square (formerly what was known as the combat zone of Boston. I may add more to the collection if I see a black and white photo that reflects the era of when my building was young circa 1900 (the building was built in 1880).
Here are a few things to keep in mind when paying homage to your location when decorating your home.
Choose Wisely
These are the only items I have in my Beacon Hill condo and I don’t intend on adding too much more. It would have to be something that really strikes me and I’d have to have the space to give it a home. That means possibly losing something in my home now to make way for a new piece of memorabilia to come through my doors.
Don’t Overdo It
Try to avoid junking up your space with too much of a good thing. What makes for an interesting decor is to have a curated and eclectic look that appears as though it’s taken years to create. Oftentime it does, especially if you want to go slowly and choose items yourself over time. If you work with a decorator, it can happen more quickly and still provide you with a seasoned and well appointed home that feels like you.
Placement
The key is to not go overboard with a theme. Placement has a lot to do with the look and feel of items that have something in common. I kept the three black and white photos in my guest bathroom because I love odd numbers and the color (black and white) are consistent with the decor I chose in that room as well. I wanted to keep with the era of when the building was built and what it might have looked like in 1880 – except new. The menu I have is on the wall near my antique green hutch that I’ve had for 25+ years. For now, I’m happy with what I have and am not seeking more of these items out now.
Choose Items That Tell A Story
Looking at the past is a great way to have insight into what life looked like at the time. I like pieces that remind me of days gone by. If you are more drawn to current events, photos in your town or city could easily be taken as well. Whatever appeals to you is what you might want to focus on and taking your own photographs can happen in a day as opposed to hunting for items (something I love to do, but I understand not everyone is like me).
The key to decorating your home with items connected to your city or town is to follow the guidelines above and choose pieces you love. If your heart isn’t in the game, take a pass. There’s always something out there that you will love.
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