{So, I’ve been a bit neglectful of CFS while I’ve been gallivanting around New York… whoops. Not to worry though, fellow globe trotter, the lovely Sarah von of Yes and Yes is saving the day with a guest post on the glory of decay!}
Though there’s something very calming and clean about modern design, it can get all get a bit sterile, can’t it? There’s something so mysterious and intriguing about spaces and clothing that’s a bit messed around the edges, covered in vines, chipping a bit. Don’t you want to spend an afternoon investigating all these places? Poking around with your camera and maybe picnicking among the relics?
If you’d like to add a bit more deliciously decayed decadence to your life, why not:
- Fill your bookshelves with old, hardcover copies of your favorite books
- Buy an antique locket and fill it with pictures of your pets
- Make a necklace from an old skeleton key and a ribbon
- (Very carefully) investigate your city’s abandoned buildings (maybe from the outside! and maybe with a friend!)
- Write letters on old pieces of sheet music
- Use one of those painting techniques to make your walls look like they’re plastered
- Rummage through the clothing section of your favorite antique store
- Pile your bed with old quilts, mismatched pillows and your mom’s ancient teddy bear
- Frame pictures of your grandparents as children
- Write your grocery list with an ink pen
- Fill a rusted can with peonies
- Watch ‘Grey Gardens’ or ‘Great Expectations‘
Do you love things that are a bit tumbledown around the edges?
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Beautiful! I think I’m a bit of an armchair urban explorer – I love the idea of it, but I don’t have the energy to go clambering around old buildings and places I’m not supposed to be, so I look at other peoples’ photos instead!
These are lovely ideas :)
I love the rough, distressed look but I think the neat-freak in me would go crazy if I incorporated it into my decor! That said, I always seek out urban decay for photographic subjects.
I love this post. I think decayed things always look so great and gothic. I’m definitely going to try some of these.
To me there’s nothing better or more delicious than a crumbly stately home! I feel like going on an abandoned building adventure now!
ooo beautiful and great tips too! i love older things. so much character!
there is a interior blog http://bohemianhellhole.typepad.com/bohemian_hellhole/ which has a similar worn-ness (but slightly more deliberate).
I Looooooovvve old books! I also love shabby sweaters, worn brown leather shoes, and a great vintage bag. Great post!
My husband and I are archaeologist, so this kind of decayed aesthetic really appeals to us. We’re looking to incorporate a lot of “worn” details into our new house, as soon as we get it (praying to Odin).
The photo with all the trolleys (or are they prams?) reminds me of the movie Wall-E (best movie ever). Our wedding venue (an abandoned mental asylum) had many rooms that looked just like this!
Love this post. My fiance and I ran across an abandoned warehouse that was going to be converted into a loft this weekend, and we spent some time in the run down portion of the warehouse snapping pictures of the interiors. I think its gonna be our new favourite hobby. Need to find more abandoned buildings in our area that we can get into.
gorgeous! and your narwhal tatoo is a little bit fantastic :)
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