Nostalgic, emotional decorating

When I was a little girl I used to root through my older sister's drawers (sorry sis) just because I loved all her baubles and what not.

I don't think I've ever told her this (probably 'cos then I'd have to admit to the rooting), but I was intrigued by the way she arranged all her jewellery boxes and trinkets in her top drawer. They were just thrown together like you see here, but I found the contained clutter charming.

Now I always dedicate one top drawer to my precious baubles - an old faux pearl choker I bought for my grade 12 grad party; a black bead bracelet I bought at the Bancroft Gem Festival in the same year, on a lovely family trip; antique pins given to me by my mom and aunt; an old cameo dug up at a garage sale in my teens.

Another treasured decor-related tradition I took from family, this time from my mom: lining my drawers with whimsical wrapping paper.

I've saved this wrapping paper from the 1970s that my mom folded into one of my drawers when I was a little girl. It's crumbling in parts but I simply can't let it go.

Now whenever I find wrapping paper I love I pick up a sheet and line my drawers with it. I do the same with old roles of pretty wall paper I'm pretty sure have lost their stick.

GRUNGE-QUEEN PHILOSOPHY

You can incorporate the things and ideas you love from your past into your decor, even if they're hidden. There's no reason why your home has to be sanitized of emotional references.