By Laura Branson

The cup holder in my husband’s car once lay home to numerous sensuously polished river rocks. After a brief inquiry I found out they were given to him by his young nephew. These found objects have now made their way into our home and onto our coffee table. They have morphed from a geological function into an aesthetic element. These rocks are not only a thing of beauty but are a constant reminder of family bonds. Life is a process of unearthing. Our dwellings should bear witness to our discoveries.

Good style is ultimately a found style that is stumbled upon. It is discovered and collected over a period of time.  Displaying your organic finds opens up conversation. They tell a story about your journeys.  This is not to say that a found style is a vintage or even an eclectic look. For example, a displayed piece of dried driftwood can soften a modern home.

Found objects come to you. Here are a few simple suggestions to get you thinking:

Dried driftwood: tack it over an entranceway, or display it on a coffee table.

Rocks: stack them on coffee table books, use them as a paperweight or cluster them to create a candleholder.

Use found objects for function. Lots of things can become vases.

Children’s art: make a room come alive by exhibiting colourful figurative crayon art with a modern frame.

Cluster collections of items. Items that tickle your fancy create chapters of your personal history.

Take a walk down a country road and you will find old bottles, railway ties, rocks, rusted items. Any of these items can become place holders at a dinner party or bookends.

Flower frogs make great pencil holders.

The items we collect on our journeys, the memorabilia of our lives can be integrated into the personal style of our homes.

Do you have any tips on decorating with found objects; have a story to share on how a found object is now adorning your home? Post Here!