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Design Hot Take: Let’s Stop Chasing “Chic” & Instead Go For Whimsy (A.K.A. Joy)
HOLD IT RIGHT THERE! Before you keep reading, pause, close your eyes, and picture something in your home that brings you immense joy. A vase with a funny little pattern. A wall color you were nervous about but did anyway. A bowl you always pull out for your nighttime ice cream treat after a long day. The throw pillow you do a double-take for every time you walk by it.
Did you come up with anything? If your answer was yes, you’re doing this “home decoration” thing right. If you struggled to conjure something, then today’s post is here to help.
Here’s the thing. In good times and bad (and, let’s all be real, this is BAD TIMES), the spaces we live in are supposed to be adding value to our lives—function, comfort, and joy. But so often, I find that that last part—the joy—is being sacrificed in the name of “chic” or frankly, just being paralyzed by a decision that makes you nervous.
For example, you’re in a store, staring at a selection of drinking glasses. You see the knobby, blue-tinted glass goblets that make your heart pitter-patter right next to the sensible clear glasses. You hem and haw, worrying that maybe the blue isn’t just the right tone to match whatever you’ve got displayed on your open shelves. Or possibly, you worry that in a few months or years, you’ll tire of the blue. Or, even foolishly, you wonder if those cups might say something about you to guests that you’re not trying to convey: You’re not chic and elegant. So you grab the safe choice. And then, you do that over and over again in your home, until you’re left with a place that could be literally anyone’s. That you exist in without feeling anything.
So today, I’m here to release you. From the grip of “good taste” so that you can lean into “your” taste. Prior to starting to write this piece, I took to my Instagram and asked the folks over there what they were too nervous to do in their own homes; something they wished for but scared them. Many of the answers were the same across the board and involved taking risks with paint and wallpaper. They all wanted some whimsy, but whimsy felt like too big a risk.
Listen. This is your home. When we take care of our souls and spirits via the home around us, we’re better for it. We should all have the privilege of coming home and smiling when you see that painted ceiling or that funky wallpaper. It may seem superficial, but that kind of joy is so much more important than we realise. Try not to feel a blip of merriment when flipping the honey bee-engraved light switch to your bathroom in the morning. Or when setting out cheeky little cocktail on a pasta-shaped napkin. Grab the green splattered enamel mug instead of the boring white ceramic one. Be bold. You owe it to yourself to be entertained by where you live.
Case in point, the UNBELIEVABLE mosaic floor below. I saw this a few weeks back and stopped dead in my (thumb) tracks. To my memory, the caption where I originally came across it read something like “Imagine picking a plain square tile when *this* exists.” Of course, many of us have to choose the plain square tile due to budget constraints. Every bit of whimsical inspiration I have below is a custom (read: expensive) choice, likely. I totally get that. But when you get the chance to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance. I MEAN, when you get the chance to pick the boring safe option or the fun, awe-inspiring thing, I hope you pick the fun, awe-inspiring thing. (#IYKYK)
Before continuing on to more beautiful, fun and jazzy things, here is a very scientific list of warning signs you’ve found something that sparks joy in your life:
- You gasp
- Your breath catches in your throat
- You worry someone else will beat you to it, and you’re in a blind panic until it’s officially yours
- Your heart beat escalates
- You giggle, smile or get dreamy-eyed
- You feel light and happy, like a kid again
- You forget that the country feels like a nuclear power plant on the verge of meltdown, even if just for a moment
Okay, now that you’ve got the list, let me show you some of the things that check *my* boxes, because yes, every person is going to have a different reaction to things. Joy comes in many forms, and what makes me happy may not do the same for you, and vice versa.
I have long admired these absolutely amazing hand-embroidered place setting tablecloths by Sarah Espuete. How can you look at these and not smile? They are, however, WILDLY expensive (I’m talking upwards of $3,500 for some of her one-of-a-kind creations), and I’m sure at that price, I’d be a ball of stress during any meal time that it would be ruined by oil, wine, smashed mac and cheese to ever want to put it out. Honestly, I’d probably just hang it on the wall as art and call it a day. She does sell napkins in this style for about $200 per set, which may be what I settle for at some point in my life when I feel like spending $200 on dinner napkins.
So many of my friends or followers commented on wishing they had the nerve to paint their trim or doors (or ceilings) a dramatic, contrasting color like Vestige Home’s bedroom at left. While I’m not downplaying the fact that paint and time have no expense, what’s the worst that can happen? You regret it and…paint it back? Well worth the risk, I think.
And as for the embroidered art at right by Indonesia-based embroidery artist Nengiren, just another example of the kind of piece I’d have in my home that I’d just love to look at and giggle at.
Why pick a standard spindle staircase (or even more character-devoid black metal “modern farmhouse” staircase) when you could do THIS! There were so many unbelievable staircase railings I pinned that I couldn’t share because they weren’t available to pull from Instagram, but my goodness, the (custom/costly) options will absolutely blow your mind. Dare to do something different. Like Maison C. Studio’s beloved Coven wallpaper at right.
Both of these rooms are images I go back to again and again, never getting old to my eye, always causing the flame in the center of my chest to flicker like fire dancing in a cool breeze. Find things for your home that make you feel like that.
The stained glass border window trim…ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Just a true delight.
As I said, I recognize that everything above is $$$$$. I’m no fool. There are plenty of things we can add to our homes that can bring joy without bringing bankruptcy. Are some things worth saving for? Yes! But sometimes, you need a lil’ something for less than the price of a Chipotle dinner for four to get excited about. That said, keep reading, friend.
1. Snail Orb Decorative Object | 2. Splatter Enamel Mug in Olive/Ecru | 3. Twisted Taper Candles – Blue | 4. Dear Bestie Ceramic Vase | 5. Bee Door Knocker | 6. Bolga Woven Fan | 7. Marble Decorative Box | 8. Stud Muffin | 9. Catania Glass Olive Oil Cruet | 10. Isabella Bee Switch Plate | 11. Lemon Squeezer, Fish | 12. Pasta Cocktail Napkins, Set of 4
A brass snail orb?!? A fish-shaped citrus squeezer sized for a single slice of lemon? A cobalt blue muffin tin? GIVE ME ALL OF IT. These are all the tiny little luxuries or curiosities that make simple tasks sweeter, happier, funnier. Why get standard tapers when you can get powdery blue, twisted tapers? Go ahead and pick the bumblebee door knocker (something I’ve wanted for the better part of a decade and will be the first thing I buy when I buy a home one day). For the low, low price of a gallon of gas in Southern California, you can make yourself smile.
1. Caraway Tea Kettle | 2. Elm Wood Stool | 3. Coloured Knob in Celadon & Bird Backplate in Polished Brass | 4. Bistrot Solid, Burgundy | 5. Cisco And The Sun Stoneware Butter Box | 6. Merritt Green Scalloped Oval Petite Gallery Wall Mirror | 7. Zani Wall Sconce | 8. Modern Wool Lumbar Pillow Cover | 9. Ceramic Glyndon – Garlic | 10. Small Stash Jar in Saffron | 11. Ice Cream Bowl Set in La Sirène | 12. Bird Quilted Blanket
Got a little bit more to spend? Have a birthday or holiday coming up? Just tired of a boring utensil holder you’ve never really liked and ready to show the world your undying love of garlic and ladles? Say it with me: GIVE YOURSELF SOME JOY. I bought myself those East Fork ice cream bowls in a darker midnight blue last year, and I’m still madly in love with them every time I see them and use them. Put your salt in a punchy yellow stash jar and electrify the dulldrums of daily meal prepping.
1. Pink Petal Murano Wall Sconces | 2. Danish Floral Flat-Weave Wool Rug | 3. Jack Chair in Windowpane Raisin | 4. Jane Round Upholstered Storage Nightstand | 5. Cotton and Linen Patchwork Bedspread x Collagerie | 6. Hill Valley Toile Wallpaper | 7. Gambit 8 Mosaic Zellige in Plum + Purple Iris + Portuguese Blue | 8. Geo Urn Vase Amber & Lilac | 9. French Retro Style Chandelier with Three-Color Dimming | 10. Hand Woven Cotton Cord Chandelier | 11. Marcus Samuelsson Colorblock Cabinet (36″) | 12. Woven Linen Curtain Cottage Collection Sweet Pea Burgundy
Hey there, big spender. Skip the standard white linen curtains and get THESE BURGUNDY SWEET PEA curtains. Oh, and go see the surprising interior of this blue cabinet designed by renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson for West Elm. I currently have that Hill Valley toile from Hygge & West sitting in a closet awaiting install when I can spare the time, and I just know how happy it’s going to make me when I use the powder room it’s slated for. And I’m on the email list for that gorgeous quilt from Zara Home when it drops. It may just go on my Christmas list.
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Have you been inspired to inject joy into your home yet? Are you ready to be true to your heart’s decorating desires? If not now, then when? Go ahead. Be brave.
Until next time, friends.
Opening Image Credits: Left courtesy Gotain | Right courtesy Claude Home
Thanks for this fun post, Arlyn! I do go for ‘joy’ over ‘chic’ usually, but then I’m terrified that something will happen to them. That I will break my beloved wine glasses with dogs etched on them, or that the kids will ruin the lovely hand woven rug in 9 colours. I now end up buying my joy-sparking-things when I travel – ladles with rhinos carved into the handles, painted lampshades, handmade soap dishes.. This satisfies my shopping urges on holiday, supports local artisans and brings whimsy into our home.
I love all of this! I started taking this approach with my clothes when my kids were small, and they told me they were sad that my clothes were all plain and boring colours… My more recent colourful graphic clothing starts so many more conversations with strangers than a black sweater! Home decor is taking a bit longer but we have wallpaper in three rooms now, some pretty bold tile, and a colour drenched dark primary. It’s starting to feel more like my house, rather than somewhere I’m staying for a while
My closet is also so sad when it used to elicit so much joy. But my daughter’s closet? Marvelous. Full of joy. I gotta start dressing more like my 3 year old HAHA
I couldn’t love this post more…….permission to be bold! I’m so inspired!
I LOVE this. There is way too much fear around making the “wrong” decisions, and the result tends to be sameness, when a home is ideally your own place to be yourself, unfettered. Why do we stage our homes for hypothetical future residents? I have to add that there are so many little things you can do yourself to inject more personality into your surroundings. Examples would be adding funky trim to your plain curtains, using a found object as a paperweight, doorstop or bookend, repurposing things into furniture [e.g. a giant spool used as a coffee table], swapping handles or light switches, painting anything, juxtaposing colors or materials, or using anything in a way that differs from original intent. A few of my own examples. I have a set of sample paint jars that get deployed for bits of decorative painting, from faux wallpaper patterns to patterned woodwork. It gives tiny bits of personality to disparate parts of a single space, tying everything together on a $20 budget. Similarly, I’ve used red electrical tape to add tiny red accents to pretty much anything. People do this with washi tape as well. We needed more storage in the bathroom, so… Read more »
I was thinking the same thing! I understand buying new things but finding something at an antique mall or thrift store is so much satisfying for me. Unique frames, vases, planters, even mirrors and furniture-way cheaper and better for the environment.
Fortunately, for me, I have many joyful items around. It started with downsizing as empty nesters and going eclectic in our home. My latest purchase, a gold stylized longhorn for my bookshelves. P.S. Geez, Arlyn, I don’t feel like the country is on the verge of a nuclear meltdown. Problems? Sure.
All Arlyn said was that “these are bad times”….if you’re triggered by that accurate assessment it says a lot about your privilege and political leanings.
You must not have read the whole post. Kim was directly quoting Arlyn. I loved this post and also feel inspired but (as a liberal democrat) was a little turned off by the hysterics. And trust me, as the care taker of a sister with disabilities I DO GET IT lol.
As always, absolutely love this post, Arlyn!! Every once in a while, a house comes on the market here in Montreal that was designed by a little Italian grandmother in the 1960’s and then somehow never renovated or redecorated. By modern standards, they are tacky as hell ….. brick archways leading into rooms with at least three different types of marble on the floor/walls and the classic shag-filled party room in the basement …. but I obsessively love them because they are overflowing with personality in a way that is so uncommon now. One look at that house and you know exactly who that nona was – you can practically feel her coming through the walls. My goal in life is to allow my home to be so clear a reflection of me that anyone who sees it in 50 years knows exactly who I was as a person!
When I find something like you describe that makes me pull in a short, fast breath, my sister and I say we found something “that speaks to me”. You can’t pass something by that SPEAKS TO YOU! I have the Stash Jar in a neutral color (the one from Cedar & Hyde by made by MH Ceramics) in two sizes and I LOVE IT. It is pricy, but I spread out my purchases, and the duo brings me joy every time I see it. I feel this way about all of the original artwork that I purchased too. I know it sounds a little cliche, but truly, the things that bring me the most joy are handmade, local or vintage finds, or something new that I can’t stop thinking about for months.
Also, I am here to shout from the rooftops, GO FOR THE COLOR DRENCHING! I did it this year in my teeny laundry room and it brings me SO MUCH JOY. I sometimes sit in there like a weirdo and just stare at it, always joined by a kitty or two.
Beautiful!! What a lovely space!
Love this post, Arlyn and couldn’t agree with it more. I feel this way about my home, having collected and curated and renovated it over the past 20 years. This blog has contributed hugely to helping me hone in and bring to life my vision for it!
As for drenched joyful color…In this 100 year old row house, the walls are Slipper Satin and the window and door trim are all Off Black (Farrow and Ball). What’s especially bringing me joy was to go into purely functional and “boring “ spaces and add deep saturated color: matcha green inside the front coat closet, India Yellow in the pantry, A deep and sexy red (like seen with Marley’s secret bar), in the linen closet, and I just painted the interior of my daughter’s closet a deep Smokey lilac (BM’s Frozen in Time).
Sometimes I’ll just walk past one of these little spaces, fling the door open, and take in those gorgeous colors with a deep breath and contented sigh. Moves my soul and puts a bit fat smile on my face.
I’m 70 years old and have been decorating my spaces as long as I can remember. Looking around my house today I realize every piece I love has a story behind it. It’s a good goal for you younger ones to aim for. Also, I have regretted a few paint choices over the years and had to repaint – but each time it was because I didn’t go dark enough. Just try it, how else are you going to learn what you truly love, because it is all learning.
Love, love, love, love, LOVE this post Arlyn!! I’m so over the whole timeless/quiet focus, not that I care if other people have but the kind of underlying message that it’s good taste!! My mother had a wildly exuberant and quite beautiful 70s house but she was always updating (cheaply) – at one stage painting everything white, then going through a red phase, a 50s retro/junk shop phase and always taking joy and pride in it. She was very creative and clever and very unafraid and I loved our house!! She’s dead now but still my inspiration. Everything just worked.
This is up there with the article Sara wrote about her parents’ house.
Yay to just enjoying our houses in this social media obsessed age!!!!
My mom and I have been watching Homeworthy on YouTube (it profiles homeowners who are mostly very wealthy and usually also interior designers or antique dealers and the like, which is the sweet spot for idle ogling in my book).
And we can always tell a European home from an American because no matter how big or small, the American homes feel like empty colorless shells. Even when filled with very expensive, “chic” decor! (Texan here btw).
I get not everyone is a maximalist but something about the horrible housing market has made a generation of Americans fearful permanent renters, terrified of color or any personality.
Even a collection of a few pretty rocks, picked up on walks, arranged on a brightly painted windowsill can be fabulous if we’d just let ourselves!
I know serene light spaces can be restful, but reading about people spending huge amounts of money on custom built houses, and then having to be “convinced” to do a slight pattern in their (white) backsplash tiles…. What a fearful life that must be. More is more!
“If we’d just let ourselves” is exactly right!! We are the only ones holding ourselves back from design joy.
Current joy: little salsa bowls made to look like piglets. Source: Lolo Mercadito (link function not working)
These are sooo cute! Thanks for the link! I just bought one for my husband for Christmas. He’ll love it.
These are hysterical and I’m glad they are out in the world for someone to enjoy.
Yesssss!
Fun! This lit me up thank you!
Love this post. Here is my latest spark of joy. My new wallpaper for my powder room that is under the stairs. Even my husband loves it. I love a touch of whimsy and fun in unexpected places.
Let’s hear it for whimsy, especially during a time when gentle humor is becoming as rare as… civil rights?
Well, anyway, if you’re looking for objects that elicit smiles (even if only your own) and have a touch of patina, look no further than your local and online thrift stores. Treasures abound and you’ll be dong your part to keep them out of the landfill.
doing… sheesh!
Yes many of my favorite treasures are from the thrift store! (Just hard to “link” to anything from a thrift store of course to get the visual point across!
I agree with this post! I would love a follow up piece where you asked readers/did a reader round up of the lower cost or even free ways that they implement joy! I can think of a lot of instances in my house that weren’t expensive.
Arlyn, I’m not even finished reading and I’ve burst out laughing multiple times on a really rough morning -thank you!
PS. Zia’s Gambit tile is miiiiine! : )
I’m glad I could help with your rough morning. 🙂
Thanks for this article, Arlyn! What a jolt of inspiration with my morning coffee! That tile floor with the swimmers is amazing. 😲
Isn’t it?? I GASPED hard when I saw it.
I do think the piece that’s missing here is that the desire to be “chic” often stems from a desire to be “timeless” — otherwise known as trying not to buy into trends! It’s a tricky needle to thread, but I did notice a lot of the “joyful” decor suggestions might very well just fit into a late 2025 trends forecast 🙂
This is such a good point and it is a tough balance to strike. I think it will always make sense to go “timeless” with things that are expensive to replace (tile) but add some quirk with paint or decorative touches that don’t cost a fortune (DIY or thrifted makes this possible).
For ppl who want wallpaper but can’t spend the $ or are afraid of the commitment, I had a friend who bought large sections of fabric and stapled it to a big frame made out of molding. It was pretty affordable and gave her both large wall “art” and lots of pizazz.
This post is totes up my alley. Here are mine… my “olive orchard” painted built ins in my studio, color locked glass tea kettle and cup, black and white striped box for my office clips and what not, malachite box for doodads and thingamabobs (I got plenty!), my wood duck 🦆 made of wood, Lego made mini plants and succulents, and what my husband calls our “dramatic wall eyebrows” (lol) – I painted the inside of our arched doorways a shiny, lacquered black. I also have a few metal donkeys in my garden. I love mini donkeys!!!!!!
When I was a kid, my aunts gave me a complete set of Lenox spice houses. I loved them when I was a kid but always thought they were too cutesy to actually put out as an adult. I recently pulled them out of storage to get rid of them, and my kids FELL IN LOVE! So now we have a few out on display in the kitchen. I still think they are kind of ridiculous :), but they make us all happy.
These spice houses are a hot commodity!
Two whimsical choices I can vouch for: delightful wallpaper in a cupboard and painting the ceiling a different color. I’ve got an awkward kitchen cabinet that makes me smile every time I go for compost bags or dog food because I wallpapered it weird, and my green bedroom ceiling brings me real calm all the time.
I love this! I decided a few years ago to cover my brand new shiny stainless steel fridge with matte floral Rifle Paper Co peel & stick wallpaper because it just seemed to loom over the room. Not only did the wallpaper actually help the fridge blend in more, I started upgrading my kitchen & dining room stuff little by little to pick up all the fun colors in the wallpaper. Thrifted a great rug, moved some art around, upgraded my boring cookware with colorful coordinating Dansk Kobenstyle that I’m happy to store on the open shelving. Everyone who visit comments on what a cute room it is and I get such a kick out of it even though my cabinets are literally falling apart just because it’s such a happy space. All it took was doing one weird thing on a whim because it made me smile and everything else just fell into place.
You’ve got to show us a photo of your fridge! What a cute idea.
Anyone who wants to inject this concept into their IG algorithm, a couple people I follow who have been preaching this gospel for a while include @lilswalty (with her “your home isn’t weird enough” series; I think she’s where I first saw the swimming ladies tile (and she’s a big fan of things like snail-shaped drawer pulls etc.) and @hansloreidesign, who is staunchly anti-“tasteful”/bland and has a series going called “good design should make you nervous.” I’m all for it!
Yes I follow Hans Lorei and I’d be lying if I didn’t say some of his videos inspired this post (sort of).
One of the things I recently put in my teeny tiny (you wouldn’t believe how small) half bath is a gold faucet in the shape of a swan. It took me a while because I was thinking “Will people think I have veered into ‘crazy old lady territory?” But I did it! And I DO smile every time I go in that bathroom and use that faucet and I know other people do too! It’s weird, but it’s fun!
Thank you for putting this out into the world – it’s what we all need right now (and always TBH). LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!
I’m a fan of not chasing anything when it comes to my home design.
Arlan, you are the best! Love your posts. Joy is soooo important and it’s crazy that we can know that and yet have to keep reminding ourselves and “allowing” ourselves to have it. 🤪 I smiled all the way through the post. Thank you! 😄