The best finishing touches for your home are things that make it personal to you and your family. There are so many ways to incorporate small things that can bring you joy every day. Here are some ways that I have done this in the hopes of inspiring you to add some similar touches that are personal to your family.
Our entry console has a stack of books that represent our family. Tennis book for Gavin, Warcraft gaming art book for Mike and James Christensen art and home décor books for me.
Perhaps the most special book is the red one on Paul Klee art that I got from my Mom who passed away in Jan 2020 – the worst part of 2020 by far. She was an art major in college and sent me the book when I was a volunteer art docent at my kids’ school although I have no artistic talent at all – elementary kids have no clue. Just realized I need to add a book for Mason because he took all his music and soccer books to college.
My oldest son Mason (21) has been playing soccer for nearly his whole life. Mason’s room in our Redmond house included a Sounders flag, framed signed Kasey Keller jersey, Sounders blanket and a framed share of Manchester United that I bought him for his birthday and keeps giving back with annual 9 cent dividends – did you know that was a thing?!? There are many other companies that you can buy souvenir stock for HERE which makes a great personal gift.
Gavin cycled (no pun intended) through a few sports before he stepped onto the tennis court and found his place – it is so magical when a kid finds his/her sport. His room has a neon tennis sign above his bed, framed art for a tennis racket patent and some antique tennis rackets hanging on the wall – thanks ebay. He also has a Frenchie blanket for our dog Odin who he shares a bed with at night – not sure what the heck we are going to do when Gavin goes to college!
If you ask my husband (or probably about anyone else) I have waaaay too many Frenchie items. I have two sets of bookends, a custom watercolor painting, a cookie jar, a statue, a lego type dog, at least 5 ornaments and probably few other things I am forgetting. I highly recommend the custom art – my painting was done by a woman on Etsy named Roma Lena and it hangs proudly in the powder room lurking behind the toilet and makes me smile every time I see it. She captured his expression perfectly!
I also follow a woman on Facebook named Mellie LA that does amazing animal portraits. How amazing is she – I am pretty sure there is one of these in my future!
No home is complete without family pictures. We have a group family shot that we update each year without any big fuss. When the grandparents are visiting, we all just show up in whatever we are wearing and take the shot with an iPhone. I learned long ago that trying to coordinate outfits or do anything more elaborate just led to a family fight which was not what I was going for so quick and painless is our methodology. My Mom was usually the photographer for many years, and I treasure the pictures that we took with her as part of this. I highly recommend this tradition.
Another fun option is to order a custom family drawing or art. There are so many talented artists on Etsy and you can find some great options for very reasonable prices. We had this cartoon family portrait created by White Glove Art and they even added Odin at the last minute as he joined the family while it was being created. Each person has something on their shirt that represents their personality making it even more personal. You get the the picture in digital form which makes it great for many uses.
Finally, I have been collecting artwork by James Christensen since I graduated from law school and my Mom bought me my first picture called College of Magical Knowledge. His art all has fun mythical creatures/people with interesting background stories to go with. For my Mom, it was Bev Doolittle who paints a lot of horses which she loved and coincidentally, James Christen did a painting on the style of Bev Doolittle that should probably be next on my list.
Here are a few of my favorite James Christensen paintings. I highly recommend you find an artist or photographer who captures your spirit as these do for me!
College of Magical Knowledge
Twilight
Six Birdhunters in Full Camoflauge
Lawrence Pretended Not to Notice That a Bear had Become Attached to His Coattail
To wrap things up, here is a list of the things above, as well as a few other ideas, to help you personalize your home:
- Family photos or custom drawings – Cartoon art – White Glove Art, Watercolor, Roma Lena
- Coffee table books that represent family interests, i.e., sports, gaming, art, travel, photography, fashion, design
- Dog or cat art or décor, if you have breed specific dog there are so many great items on Etsy and I shared some HERE
- Artwork or photography from someone that evokes some connection or emotion
- Travel souvenirs
- Something made by a family member, i.e., grandma’s quilt, pottery, framed school art
- Sports memorabilia
- Photography by family members – it is easy and affordable with your iPhone, Shutterfly and frames from craft stores like Michael’s
- Family antiques mixed with more modern pieces