Guest Picks: Pride-of-Place Decor
Just as our families and experiences shape who we are, our locations are inextricably linked to our personal histories. Ask travelers about the importance of place, about the different feelings evoked merely by changes in longitude or latitude. This roundup is all about loving your city, though admittedly that "love" is often a mixed bag of emotions and sometimes even a lack of love. But each piece here still recognizes the importance of place.
There are plenty of ways to pay homage to and honor the place where you live or love or want to live or have seen or even haven’t seen but desperately want to see. I've tried to veer away from the trinkets and compulsory souvenirs in favor of items that are unique or cleverly crafted. (Although I really like plastic snow globes, so I’m erasing my judgment of such things, as they have their place on our shelves, too.)
I live in Washington, D.C. That is my place. But I grew up in New Jersey. My great-grandfather was a lighthouse keeper on the Jersey Shore, so that's my place too. I also have such a fondness for Oxford, England; that is my place in another life. Where is your place? — Meaghan from The Decorated Cookie
Pittsburgh Print by Albie Designs - $30 All of the city prints that this talented Etsy artist offers in her shop make me want to visit every place she draws. I love her view of each place, and I've already bookmarked this shop for holiday gifts.
Washington, D.C., Screen Print, Cracleberry - $27 I've admired these Ork posters for years: cities broken down by neighborhood, then labeled in typography. I live in Washington, D.C., and I have the D.C. poster propped on my mantel.
Matchbook Cityscape by FloMade - $12 This pretty much blows my mind. This Etsy genius will take a matchbook and create a skyline of your city. Oh yeah, and use a map background of said city.
City Towel, Boston - $15 Every U.S. state has its own vintage-feeling towel in this shop, but I'm kind of partial to the few snow globe city towels available. Snow globes. Cities. They just go together like peanut butter and jelly.
Urban Wanderer Map Garland, New York City by Palimpsestic - $20 I just adore this map garland. I've never seen a location used to create everyday festive fun. Now I want one of these in every room.
Glasgow School of Art - $215 The sculptures of famous buildings by Chisel & Mouse are truly stunning. I wish they were in my budget. The company offers quite a few buildings from around the world, some less known or less obvious than you'd think, so you just might find your favorite place in the mix.
American Cities Heart Map Die Cuts by Lea Seguin - $3.50 American city maps turned into hearts — I'm sure you clever folks can find some decorating scenario for these.
City Landscape Pen Stand, Tokyo - $21.50 I'm afraid this one is rather specific. Only Tokyo is available, but it is so unusual that I had to include it. If this is your place, I think you'll need a Tokyo cityscape pen stand.
My Town Topo! Map Clock - $65 National Geographic will make a clock out of any location (well, out of a map of any location). There are also coasters.
Customized City, State Heart Wood-Block Art Print by Lucius Art - $39 Where does your heart belong? Tell the world with one of these customized city wood-block prints.
Hand-Embroidered City Pillow, New York City - $149 These city pillows are jam-packed with your place's landmarks and neighborhoods and inside jokes. They are much pricier than I can afford for a pillow, but they are hand embroidered, so kudos to whoever sits and sews such details.
City Icon Pillows - $150 Or make a simpler statement with these (also expensive and hand-embroidered) pillows. You get only three cities from which to choose, though: New York, San Francisco and Seattle.
City Dish Towels - $20 Bring your sense of place into the kitchen with these dish towels.
Portland Grocery Tote There are lots of cities available in city-cool designs (I don't know what "city cool" is, but it feels about right to describe this tote) at this site. The bags will keep your city gear totally un-nerdy.
Skyline Personalized Dessert Plate Set - $78 Growing up on the New Jersey shore, I would listen for the sounds of engines in the sky and always get excited for those banner-pulling planes. What does this one say? Mmm, "Eat." But you can customize the sayings for the eight available cities.
Skyline Personalized Coffee Travel Mug - $34 Or is coffee more your speed?
Holiday Weekly Dots Wall Art Decal Kit - $14.99 If you're more the world traveler type and can't pick just one place, try these wall decals of international landmarks that double as dry-erase boards.
London Calling Wall Art Decal Kit - $17.99 Or if London is your place — it's one of mine — try this London skyline wall decal. I'm in love with it.
'Made in America' Artwork While I'm straying from "city" on this one, I had to share this skillet collage. It's pricey, so it's only for the serious collector. But I think the genius of the artist who created a frying pan United States must be recognized.
Modern Skyline Art Poster by You & Yours Prints - $22 This artist will create a modern skyline print of any city — and, as a bonus, can add a personal note.
Personalized City Limit Sign - $14.99 For the lover of street signs. You can make pretty much any street sign you imagine at this site.
Next: Reinvent It: Street Signs Become a Lively Kitchen Backsplash
