Blog Post : Nostalgia, décor and trinkets, good for us or just clutter?

Décor trends over the years have come and gone We know that many trends come from fashion and commercial influence but enduring style and décor often embeds from the time they exist in and quality of materials. Historic period design remains present from Regency flamboyance, to beautifully, functional Arts and Crafts to Mid-Century Modern creativity. From human condition and social climate, whether that be times of wealth and abundance or times of deprivation and austerity. Our environment and our possessions can reflect what’s going on in ourselves too or maybe more to the point what we need to feel or show the world. Whether it's the demonstration of wealth by historic aristocracy or present day Instagram "showing off", we want to reflect who we are or, as I said previously, who we want to be perceived as.

We are also quick to comment slightly less favourably on others interior style when it doesn’t fit our own aesthetic comfort or is outside the current trend or modern style. We use words like clutter, junk, too much or old fashioned to pass judgment on people’s personal interior style choices when they maybe lean towards something very personal to them or towards the nostalgic. I read a headline recently proclaiming it to be unhealthy to live in the past and that nostalgia can have a negative effect on our mental health and it made me think. There is a emphasis recently on living in the moment and not looking back, but is that right?.

After much deliberation, I would argue that we can still be present while enjoying the past and nostalgia. Sometimes those things can ground us in memories and feelings of love, gratitude and joy which we know is valuable for our mental health. Often what we surround ourselves with can also be a reflection of the time we find ourselves in socially and economically. During war times when there was so much less there was value in beauty and the simple pleasures. Crafts to make do and mend brought calm in a fearful and unpredictable time as well as need, no doubt. An emphasis on valuing our things and finding comfort in them. I would suggest we are in challenging times right now, full of fear and unpredictability and there is a need to find comfort in areas of our lives and for some, this may be it.

If we analyse our relationship with our belongings and décor and where we sit on the spectrum of Maximalism, Minimalism, Idealism and Materialism as described by many books on this subject, it is clear that often these labels carry nuance. We can still be maximalist but ethical and sustainable and minimalist but spend a lot of money on things of no value, use or ethical consideration. This is in no way bashing minimalism as I love the aesthetic but it just doesn’t always mean what we think it does.

So, it is evident that we have a strong connection with our "stuff" either handed down, lovingly held on to or even when purchased new. Being conscious and intentional in our purchases and buying things that actually evoke a feeling allows for a deeper connection than just buying because a trend told us to and it helps us to surround ourselves with joy, nostalgia and things we love. Buying locally from local makers, buying vintage, antique and pre loved and natural material items also contribute to positive emotions as we lower our carbon footprint and create a healthier, more biophilic home.