Nostalgia In Design

It is no secret that I am obsessed with almost everything considered ‘old’. If it’s dusty, crusty or rusty (or preferably all three) I have an affinity for it. I refer to these as ‘soul pieces’. Whether in reference to our homes themselves or the unique oddities placed within, these inanimate objects that have gathered stories throughout the years are undeniably necessary in creating homes that serve us on an emotional level. 

With the increasing interest in sharing very personal parts of ourselves on social media (specifically our homes) we are all too aware of ‘trends’. While I remain very excited for the future of ‘home’ I proceed with caution and acknowledge that the very nature of consumerism is to ‘mass produce’ and ‘replicate’ even the most authentic pieces of our environments. Because of the increasing interest in ‘antique’ and ‘vintage’ I thought it necessary to dissect and understand the pursuit of aesthetic versus nostalgia and why the latter cannot be faked or hurried and will inadvertently look different for each of us.

Defined as “a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations.” 

Nostalgia, by nature, must be specific to each of us individually. While we may collectively have fond memories of our high school, I experienced the very same school through a different lense than my classmates. The rooms, halls, rickety shelves that may evoke a memory and emotion in me may be completely different than the next student. In this regard, when bringing those memories into our lives and our homes we must not shy away from examining our unique stories and honoring them even if it is not shared by the masses (or even a single soul). 

What we bring into our homes should be strongly rooted in our why. Without that as its roots the effect is limited. It may check all the boxes visually, and may even be interesting and thought provoking. However, what we need from our environment, and most importantly our homes, is a feeling, a feeling that is specific to us individually. This is the part of design that is indescribable, that “it” that you can’t put your finger on. Simply put, the experience.

‘The past is a nice place to visit, even if just for a moment but you don’t have to stay there”

The assignment we are charged with is weaving our story into those reaching from the past so that both may be kept for those in the future. My design work with clients is unique in the sense that I am continually charged with incorporating my client’s story alongside others (and whom I don’t have the pleasure of chatting with). Whether I am consulting a historian on a two hundred year old home, or incorporating the great grandma’s hutch into the ‘Scandinavian parlor’ my job is to hear it all, adjust for pitch and create a Billboard Top 100. I’ve given the two, arguably the only two, steadfast musts I carry into any project and you’d be remiss to not carry into your own.

Patience

Perhaps the golden rule of design, especially as it pertains to one’s home, is allowing space for the exchange of energy with our homes. I am often working with clients whose homes are much older than they are and who, on their own, bring a story that must be acknowledged. It is my job to allow and, sometimes wait for, what an appropriate direction should be. In an era when everything is rushed, hurried, and needed yesterday we must actively seak out this patience and find peace and acceptance in the waiting. I have found that nostalgia very rarely occurs separate from time. When seeking to recreate those emotions through design one must allow for the authentic evolution and discovery of identity. Rome, and your home wasn’t and shouldn’t be built in a day.

Intentionality

When curating one's home it is important to keep in mind the intention. Good design, I believe, goes beyond a surface understanding of a refined aesthetic. It is my effort, when working with clients, to dive deep into their unique history, in order to evoke the nostalgia that is personal and specific to their story. It is necessary to have intention about what you bring into your home and ultimately let go of throughout time. As a society we are all so vastly different and there is a beauty of acknowledging that. When we are able to examine our story apart from a collective narrative we begin to see the beautiful, physical representation of who we are.

What is one thing in your home that is undeniably a part of your story?