The best thing about working for Wayfair is how accepting they are about my personal beliefs and interests, even when they may go against their sales goals. I debated for a while before accepting their offer to post for them. I worried that I would have to sell items people didn’t need in a style I didn’t like. Luckily, that has never happened. In fact, I’ve had the opposite experience. They have encouraged me to write about what I love because they believe passion sells, not strategically placed links. When Buster died, I missed a deadline. It just completely slipped my mind, and when my contact emailed me asking where my post was, I was horribly embarrassed. I wrote out the post and sent it to her as soon as possible. A few days later, this pillow arrived on my doorstep. Forgive me if I’ve told this story before, but it’s so nice that I like to tell it over and over again.
So, holiday decor. I used to hate it, but working in the library got me to see the magic in decorating for holidays–at least within reason. I don’t mind going a little crazy for the kids at school, but having all those decorations at home goes against the principles of The William Morris Project when you think of the money spent and space required to store them properly.
I’ve been thinking a lot about outside decorating for the holidays. How to make it inviting without being over-the-top or obnoxious; how to spend my money on items that last beyond a few weeks; how to spread what I think is beautiful without being wasteful of both my time and my money. That’s why I wrote about over at Wayfair, and I would love for you to check it out.
As always, thank you for your support.
Well done on the article! I’m in the same boat you are with seasonal decoration – minimal and re-purpose-able is always best! If I had a home where I could plant flowers, that seems like it’d be the perfect way to celebrate the spring and summer holidays, and enjoy the flowers for months to come!
Yes, that’s how I feel! I’m really focusing on the yard this year. I’m hoping in the next year or two we’ll have something beautiful to enjoy for years to come.
Really nice post. I planted my first seasonal bed after 9/11, all red white and blue. It was the most patriotic thing I’ve ever done. I love the images you included in the article, as well as the sentiment.
Thank you!
Seasonal decor at school is so wonderful. My mother had a tabletop Christmas tree that was the anti-William Morris with many, many tiny kitschy ornaments. After she died, my sister and I didn’t have the heart to get rid of it. I took it to my classroom and my students are as enchanted with it as she was. It makes me tear up a little as I wish she could be here to see them oooh and aaah. Keep on with the library decorations!
Working at the school definitely upped my appreciation for seasonal decor. I remember loving it so much when the teachers would go nuts. I forgot all about that until the kids went nuts when I decorated the library. It’s been fun letting loose at school in a way I would never do at home.
I did the seasonal thing when my kids were small. They liked it, and I think it helped them learn about seasons and holidays. I don’t much do that at all anymore, for the reasons you articulate so nicely, but I realized last Christmas that even though my kids are big ol’ teens they do still notice and care about such things. So, like you, I’m re-thinking it a bit.
I was thinking about the William Morris project as I contemplated what to start for my next cross-stitching project. Not sure if you are a fan of William Morris textiles, or just his quote on loving what you live with, but if you are ever looking into him, I’d recommend flipping through a Beth Russell needlepoint book. She designs needlepoint projects based on his work and photographs them in his various homes and work locations.