In Praise of Silliness

As I tossed and turned the other night, worrying about whether to spring for a cowhide rug or stick with sisal, I couldn’t help but wonder: Why was I taking my home so seriously? Sure, decorating is expensive. But so is therapy.

Every now and then, it’s important to cut loose — to engage your inner child and let your freak flag fly. I’m not talking about painting your house in polka dots. I’m talking about adding one thing that’s a little unexpected. Maybe it’s an unusual accent color or upholstery fabric, or a wall treatment. Or perhaps it's an object you're showing out of context — transforming something commonplace into a work of art.

There’s nothing quite so disarming as an adult who still knows how to be a kid. I'm not on my second childhood yet, but I'm working on it. After all, I bought the cowhide.

Get Happy

Not since the Partridge Family boarded their Technicolor bus have I seen such a wonderful use of color blocking. Why hang art on your walls when the entire wall can be a work of art?


It's Tubular

Two New York City penthouses were combined into a single two-story unit, prompting the owner to request a slide connecting the two. How great is that? I've seen people put fire poles in their homes, too.

Don't laugh — you know you want to try it!


Different and Delicious

Taken out of context, a 1950s billboard for chewing gum becomes a scintillating piece of pop art. Shout out to Andy Warhol for teaching us to see the beauty in the mundane.


Global Warming

An everyday object takes on playful airs when it's blown up to Brobdingnagian proportions. Here it's a 1960s globe salvaged from a London airline office.


Just Say No?

I love old signs and have several of them in my home. I enjoy the graphics and the sense of history — as well as the fact that they're usually more affordable than a conventional work of art.

When it comes to signs, the more incongruous the subject matter, the better. This sign hangs in a Palm Springs hotel. I'm not sure what kind of message they're trying to send here ...



Write On

Can't afford a vintage sign? Make your own. This timeless sentiment was painted directly on the bedroom wall.


Who Gets to Clap the Erasers?

Want to write on the walls but can't stand the commitment? Then chalkboard paint is the answer for you. It comes in a variety of colors, can be applied right over drywall and is available at paint stores everywhere.


Eeek!

These mice silhouettes are easily removable — but who'd want to take them off? They might not be ideal for a formal entry (except at Halloween), but they'd look great on the back steps or the basement stairs. Plus, they'd put a smile on your face every time you walked upstairs.


Moo

Mice not your thing? How about cows?

This beautiful bovine mural came from a European retailer, but you can find similar wall murals on Houzz and elsewhere online. Don't see something you like? Lots of online retailers will make custom murals for you from a photograph.


Meow

Who needs animal trophies when you've got a monstrous kitty on the wall?

Don't let this thing near a ball of yarn.


Playing With Dolls

If you're a collector, put your collectables out for everyone to see. Display objects in groups for maximum impact. Even humble items take on weight when they're displayed together.

Case in point: this grouping of male fashion dolls gracing a Portland, Oregon, home. Some are even dressed to look like the owner's friends, with name tags displayed above. Who needs photographs of your pals when you've got little replicas of them?


Where the Boys Are

Ken not your style? How about G.I. Joe?


Poochy

How many of us have living rooms that are unforgettable? I'm sure if you were invited to this home near Washington, D.C., you would never, ever forget the pink poodles.

A tacky object that's taken out of context can feel playful and ironic when the surroundings are right. If this room weren't so sophisticated, the dogs would just look gaudy.


Pucci

A '60s-style print makes a formal chair feel startlingly fresh. (And honestly, how could you take anything seriously under that painting?)

Animal prints are another great way to dress up a traditional chair. Still too radical? Try upholstering just the back of a dining chair in an unexpected fabric.


Tread on Me

Wallpaper, stencils, house numbers — when it comes to stairs, they're all fair game.


Merrily, Merrily

Life is but a dream when you suspend a beautiful object from the ceiling. Vintage rowboats, canoes, bicycles and neon signs can create magic overhead.

Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder: I once visited the home of artist Dale Chihuly, who had a collection of accordions suspended from his ceiling. It worked, because there were a lot of them (see "Playing with Dolls," above), and because the instruments had a personal significance to him — he played the accordion when he was a kid.

Your turn: Please show us your home's silly side!

URL: In Praise of Silliness http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-21738.html