Obsessions in the home

12 years ago

Do you have a particular obsession that carries over into your home decor?

For me, it's mermaids. Anyone who has ever stepped foot in my apartment tells me I may have issues, and to seek help. I just see it as a way of expressing myself. ;) The photo below is actually hanging on my wall right now!

If you have an obsession that carries over to your home, tell us what it is and share your photos!

Claire Oring Mermaid Wall Art · More Info

Featured Answer

Luciana

12 years ago

last modified: 12 years ago

I really like red animals. Only have 4, so I can't call it a collection, but it surely is an obsession! The problem is that I'm choosy and not any red decorative animal out there can make it in my house (you know, they're not just for Christmas :))

Hubby puts up with it; in fact, some years ago when we were discussing me moving in with him, I told him I won't do it unless I can have my red dog displayed wherever I want it in his house. Poor man, he was so confused; he couldn't believe that I'd chose between him and a (piece of red painted wood shaped like a stylized) dog and he'd lose! And then, we were together when I found the red cow and the limping red hippo in a Paris shop... I bought a large hat box so the cow can travel in style, unmolested! It got home in one piece and hubby didn't even twitch when I told him it goes on top of the kitchen cupboards. Nowadays he just mutters about my bonkersness and lets me do what I want!

My newest addition is the cast iron red birdie in the garden - I love it!

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Comments (48)

Beth Bevington
12 years ago
I love elephants. Put them on the mantle for January and February. Trunks up are good luck. I have all sizes and colors.
Some have pearl saddles. Love them!
Jeannie Nguyen thanked Beth Bevington
edithsmom
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
My husband, the birder, (he just took up the hobby...his obsession...two years ago) says he thinks it's time to stop adding birds to the decor. I have a large metal piece etched with crows by Renie Britenbucher, a tapestry with stylized birds, two Audubon reprints framed, three Elizabeth St.Hilaire-Nelson small bird assemblages, a sandcast duck, three thrift store paintings and a hallway lined with my husbands bird photos. Too much? Nah!
Jeannie Nguyen thanked edithsmom
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maverickcowgirl
12 years ago
I breed West Highland Terriers and they are starting to appear in my decor. I have always loved horses and have had horsey stuff in my house since I can remember. I really love all things country and natural and this particularly is reflected in my house decor. Living in a farm house makes it easy too.
Jeannie Nguyen thanked maverickcowgirl
rredpenn
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
I have a hand collection. From one teacher to another, long ago, my mom decided to give me a bunch of different glove molds (raised hands! I guess it's better than apples sitting on the desk). The obsession factor is that hands are the go-to gift to give me...many family members have contributed to my "raised hands" collection, and I have quite a few. A whole classroom full, if you will! :)

My favorite one is an old plastic hand model my father had in his office. He was an orthopedic surgeon, and his hand model comes apart to show the bones inside, and the nerves/bloodways and muscles. We played with it as kids...sentimental value.

I haven't figured out where to display them yet in our new-to-us house. They do look cooler together, rather than spread around the house...right now, they're in an open bookcase in the bedroom, waiting for me to figure it out!
Jeannie Nguyen thanked rredpenn
Jessica Mack
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Just about everyone in my family has SOMETHING they collect or that is associated with them that shows up repeatedly in their decor. My Aunt June had strawberries and ladybugs everywhere. My mother decorates with her fancy china. My dad has to have antique cars somewhere even if it is just a calendar. My Aunt Dell has roosters all over her kitchen. My cousin Robin has harps or musical motifs everywhere (the photo is from her place at Christmas - besides the harp she performs on, there are several harp ornaments on the mantle and in the artwork on the wall). My cousin Craig has everything Harley Davidson...
Jeannie Nguyen thanked Jessica Mack
nansdrew
12 years ago
Maps, maps and more maps! Also trying to curb my love of old books.
Jeannie Nguyen thanked nansdrew
bobcaygeon70
12 years ago
Birds and nests. Painting was done by my sister in law, it's a 3D effect with an actual shoelace in it. It's called "The lost Shoelace"
Jeannie Nguyen thanked bobcaygeon70
bobcaygeon70
12 years ago
oh, and that's a fake nest btw, no real bird eggs were harmed in this décor! lol
bobcaygeon70
12 years ago
@nansdrew,
what do you do with your maps? Use them as wall décor? Do you frame them or mount them in some way? I've been thinking of finding and putting up an old map of our town but not sure how to do it tastefully.
nansdrew
12 years ago
@bobcaygeon70

I have a large antique global map framed that I don't know where to put, a round globe throw pillow on my sofa, map stationery, and a globe on my desk. I also decoupaged a lamp with an antique map gift wrap, but gave the lamp away as a gift. I know, pretty tame as obsessions go. I have to always hold myself back every time I see an antique map wall decal or wall paper. (my husband just rolls his eyes now every time I show him map items :-)
sierrafoxxtrott
12 years ago
Roosters are my obsession.. I have all shapes sizes and styles.. Everything from abstract to country themed...
beachlily
12 years ago
Cats. Except they are live :)
piggletheday147
12 years ago
I absolutely love Asian art, like Japanese maple trees, and those cute blossom branches, with birds sitting on them. So cute! I guess it just makes me feel more relaxed. ✌
Nancy Armstrong Sloop
12 years ago
I love peacocks (except for their call...or rather, their scream!) and have a little something 'peacock-y' in every room, even if it's just a small pillow. However, I did rather let myself go in the MBR and MBT. My husband likes globes and maps, and we've gathered a nice colllection of those.
artzi
12 years ago
Sea shells, rocks, driftwood, temple dogs since I have had Tibetan Spaniels in my life for 29 yrs, & other Asian objects & art. panintings fill every inch of wall space as my father-in-law, myself & many friends are artists, other art pieces for the same reason. I have so many interest & love to have reminders of people, animals & things I love around me! My husband collects wood carvings, wood inlay boxes , old maps & books -he would be really happy with a bare room with a desk, chair & his books,maps & wood carvings on a shelf.
Pamela Fisk
12 years ago
I have a thing for anything with red coral in it. Too bad red coral itself is so expensive.
killarneylass
12 years ago
Betty Boop.She is ageless and timeless.I have an Esthetics business and she is all over the room I work in.We are moving to a new home soon,and I have decided to keep only the best pieces which will sit on top of my new "chantilly cream"kitchen cabinets.
Over the years,my clients have added to my collection.Some of my favorites are my B.B. Christmas tree ornaments.
janet0502
12 years ago
Many years ago I was give the nickname Moose. People started buying me Moose everything and now I don't think there is anything "moosie" I don't have....with no duplications even! I have had to box up a lot of it as it started to look like we lived in the Wild Kingdom
Rachelle Borbely
12 years ago
Disney. Any.Thing.Disney. My disney cookie jars always make me smile.
cathym5
12 years ago
I love animal paintings, especially oils, and I love my faux ram's head and my huge 12-point deer antlers. Also love my giant horse painting over my bed! It makes the room!
Marge Burtch
12 years ago
I like Zen, Meditation, Hearts. I have a lotus flower with a dragon fly for a shower curtain. My wall decor has wire trees (that represent Family Trees to me), Yin/Yang tee shirt a friend made a frame for, little Buddhas and hearts here and there. My space is not cluttered, clutter makes me crazy.
cokelvrdebbie
12 years ago
Mine is Coca-Cola...every room, patio, my car, totally obsessed...I get a lot of ribbing about it! I belong to Coke clubs, attend conventions, and am always looking for that one special item I don't have!
Dee Cee
12 years ago
We love to pick something up from our travels, mainly art so our home is eclectic but I do have a lot of heart shaped things - from driftwood to dishes - love them!
Wendy Christensen
12 years ago
Cats! Live kitties (9 of them) and every cat item imaginable. Early, middle and late cat. Furniture to cabinet knobs, everything that can be feline-themed, is. Plus, over 1,000 cat books (among over 10,000 books here...)
kathleen MK
12 years ago
Jeannie we are kindred sea spirits. My mom's family coat of arms even has mermaids. But I have more shell collections displayed including the ones that hold soap and toothbrushes in the bath.
My blue willow collection is functional and the kitchen decor along with handmade pottery.
I guess my love of water does drive most of my decor in cool colors. Dad's waterfall painting above the fireplace, Mom's photo of dune flowers and Monet water lily prints in the bedroom, shells everywhere, seascape and ships in the sunroom. What isn't water related is butterflies and flowers, my other obsessions.
Robi J
12 years ago
Pineapples!! It's a southern thing. While hosting a dinner party it was mentioned later that someone counted 17 pineapples on my first floor. I'm trying to put some away but it's what I love and my family is always adding to my collection.
Diane Fairbanks
12 years ago
Violets are one of my favorite things, and I even have a violet guest bedroom! Along with vintage violet table china, antique dresser sets, jewelry, sheets. etc. Reproduction vintage advertising posters, from the 20's to the 50's, are also a particular favorite of mine, and appear in several rooms in my house, as do advertising tins, which I also collect! Unfortunately, that is just the tip of the iceberg as far as my collections go! Good think I have big closets!
Lisadoll
12 years ago
Love mirrors. Always have. Have a mirror gallery in my hallway, and also one outside .
Dee Cee
12 years ago
cokelvrdebbie - what about this? It hinges in the middle and is a drinks cooler standing about 21/2-3 feet tall. Our kids found it and it stands in the corner of our kitchen - fun accessory!
Dee Cee
12 years ago
cokelvrdebbie - oops - here you go!
Nancy Armstrong Sloop
12 years ago
oh, forgot to mention how much we (DH and I) love clocks! My favorite is a Seth Thomas Regulator my grandfather inherited from his uncle. The uncle was postmaster in a small town in Pecos Co. TX and my maternal grandfather was postmaster in another small town in Yoakum Co. TX, and now it's ours: handed to my father, then to my husband as oldest sons-in-law of the family. My husband plans to pass it along to our older son-in-law...one day.

We have at least one clock in every room, most of which are pretty enough to make me smile whenever I check the time.
jdd3612
12 years ago
NEVER tell people you collect owls!!!
caitylady321
12 years ago
My kids asked me my favorite animal once, and I said dragonflies. I'm so glad I chose such a pretty animal, because I've gotten one for every birthday and Mother's Day since!

Funny story about that, though. Growing up my friend's mom collected apples - I once stood in her postage-stamp sized kitchen and counted 245 apples. It became a joke between me and my mom - I teased her that she would start collecting apples too - and to this day she and I hide apples in each other's homes whenever we visit. ;-)
karelina
12 years ago
Cats, though I didn't notice it as I did it! Here are just a couple.
Terri Lubaroff
12 years ago
Vintage Movie Posters... Always interesting conversation pieces.
Kim Allman
12 years ago
LOL.... I'm obsessed with not having collections. I do a major home purge almost every year - headed toward paperless but not fast enough
csd609
12 years ago
My collections give me enjoyment and as I find them sprinkled throughout my home they give me opportunities to remember and wonder. I have guitars that I have put in various rooms. For me, they are memories of my father, for those that visit, I see them very often picking one up to play and enjoy. I have also found damaged guitars In discount stores and refinished or painted them to add as decor.
I love globes and have found a perfect spot in my stairway to display them. The colors and differences intrigue me and it brings me back to "old school days".
Kim Allman
12 years ago
Not saying my way's better... just better for me.
PRO
Barnhart Gallery
12 years ago
rredpen -- This made me think of you and your inspired collection -- but it's quite weird!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRONZE-SKULPTUR-FIGUR-HAND-HOLDING-WOMAN-BRONZEFIGUR-AKT-FRAU-NUDE-DEKO-BONO-ART-/161313283718?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item258f055e86
bungalowmo
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
For me, it's not nick-nacks that I collect, but more like "old" stuff. I have 4 working old fans, 5 1920-40 toasters (some work some don't) everything from kitchen strainers to cheese graters, pyrex pans with detachable metal & glass handles, aluminum kitchen pieces by Rodney Kent. I just love old, fun stuff like these that can still be used!

I have pieces nearly identical to those below. I'm at work...pics from Etsy & Ebay

I do have that exact butter dish, but that set is pretty cute too....
PRO
Solar-screen-shades.com
12 years ago
Wildlife art is our favorite.
Lisadoll
12 years ago
Reddpenn... I, too, collect hands and feet, but neglected to mention, since I didn't think they were overrunning the house..
until I saw a BIG blue glazed ceramic FOOT PLANTER❗️❗️❗️for the backyard at Ace Hardware
On my way back to get it now
Lisadoll
12 years ago
P.s.: get the rredpenn out! Sorry about the misspelling :(
onthecoast1
12 years ago
I've never known anyone with an affinity for mermaids......that's neat!
For me, it's shorebirds, song birds, maps and globes.
cokelvrdebbie
12 years ago
Before going all out with Coke, I had a different theme in each room, and it was a lot of fun. One bedroom was all Precious Moments, my son's room was basketball, master was sunflowers, my office was Coca-Cola, living room was my bear room (Cherished Teddies, Raikes, etc.)...and I did the same thing with Christmas trees - had seven one year, all different themes...it's fun!
cokelvrdebbie
12 years ago
Robi - my dad's wife loves pineapples, and I always tried to send something with that theme for Christmas to her...I believe they stand for hospitality...
libri
12 years ago
I love butterflies especially real ones framed in glass.

Obsessions in the home

Comments (48)

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