If you’ve been a reader since the beginning you likely remember Em’s motto of “Style. Play. Everyday.” And while we’ve put focus on things like renovations, having fun with styling is still our core and where our hearts truly lie. I mean, it’s the most fun! So that’s what today’s post is about. Having fun and mixing it up but in easy, approachable ways. Our homes should be playful and full of things that bring us joy. Otherwise, what’s the point?? If you’re looking how to add some personality and quirk to your home, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s start with an EHD classic…

Grown-Up Mobiles

Mobiles are not just for nurseries, y’all! Take Em’s old primary bedroom back in 2015. Don’t you think that wooden mobile by Noah Spencer not only brings up your eye but adds such a fun element to this space (ignore the wallpaper seams, there was a mishap:)) Without the mobile, this still would have been a perfectly beautiful room. But with it, it has more personality. Ok, case closed, end of post. Ha, yay right. I’m just getting started.

Then four years later, the EHD team grabbed this vintage mobile and put it in this living room reveal. Tell me it doesn’t make this room look for fun. You can’t:) I want to know the person who lives here (sadly, no one actually does because it was a staged living room but you get it)

A few months later, Em decided to snag that same mobile for the mountain house loft and it looked maybe more perfect in there!

Hot Tip: If you want your space to feel more playful but love a neutral monochrome color palette, just add a cool mobile and you’re set:) I think this loft is proof of that.

But there’s some wiggle room in the “add a mobile” world (at least to me). If a traditional mobile isn’t your look but you want to hang something fun from your ceiling, head to your local vintage shop and see what the options are. We got to shoot Erica Reitman’s home where she had this pretty incredible hanging perched toucan. It’s unexpected, colorful, and just fun.

The simplest route of implementing a hanging object is, of course, the hanging plant. It’s easy, brings in literal life to a space, and you can have fun with the style of the planter. It’s a two-fer in that way! Both Emily Bowser and Velinda put them in their projects and they look amazing.

Mini Objects

Emily Henderson LOVES a mini decor piece. Little ladders, cloches, chairs, you name it. And what’s even better is there are a ton of ways to incorporate them into your home. Let me walk you through some of our favorites starting with these mini wooden sculptures on Emily’s fireplace mantel.

Mini collections are a great way to bring in something unique to you and your home. These little wood sculptures are SO cool, add a great contrast stylistically to the more farmhouse feel of the furniture and home, and are also just cute. It’s a win/win/win.

As far back as I can remember, Emily has loved mini ladders, and for good reason. Again, so cute, sculptural, and can add height to a vignette. Take Emily Bowser’s office desk area. That little ladder is the perfect visual balance for the mini art gallery on the other side of her Frame TV. Plus it adds texture and playfulness (sorry, that’s a word I’m going to use a lot more in this post). Then Emily Henderson used her mini ladder on her living room gallery wall and man, I love it so much. Adds quirk and balances out the wood sculpture on the right.

Here, EHD alumn Ginny Macdonald added a sweet little trio of mini vases to her bookcase cutout. There’s just something about mini objects that make a home feel more inviting and layered.

But back to playfulness, Adding a mini object on top of a picture frame is the easiest way to achieve that. I can’t remember if it was Erik or Sara who I learned this trick from but I will do it for the rest of my life. In my old apartment (the middle photo), I added a mini art sculpture I had of my mom’s and a pencil cigarette that Brady gave the team he got on a trip he went on (so sweet). I loved having those extra personal touches on top of new art pieces I truly loved.

Add A Stripe

Another thing that’s been well-documented on this blog is our love for stripes. They are fun but classic so you never have to worry about them going out of style. Plus, they add an instant burst of pattern in any space they are in. Look at the two vases in Em’s old living room. They aren’t visually loud per se, but they make the overall room feel more layered and have more personality. If you want more ideas on how to add a little bit of pattern to your home this post might be very helpful for you:)

Ok, I know Em’s bolster pillow is more of a plaid but it’s also pretty stripey if you ask me. And what a difference it makes in the room, right?! It’s such a fun pop of pattern that is yes, perfectly playful. Then in Emily Bowser’s living room, her striped pillow is much more minimal but it’s still an awesome contrast to the other solid pillows on the sofa and makes the space look more intentional.

design by dee murphy | styled by velinda hellen | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: dee murphy’s home tour is giving us all wallpaper envy

Clearly, Dee Murphy doesn’t need help in the pattern department but I love that she decided to add a striped rug over her braided woven rug. It’s fun y’all!

Vintage Trunks

Another EHD love, vintage trunks! They are just so versatile, look extremely cool, add soul to a room, and are functional…so what’s not to love? I love how stylist, Scott Horne used his trunk as a TV stand. Perfect! It makes an already amazing room even cooler and more textured.

This home clearly doesn’t need any help in the “soulful” department but I love the vintage trunk being used as a coffee table. It looks great, feels unique, and can hold things like extra blankets and/or pillows. Em’s has also used a metal version in this infamous living room.

I thought it would also be fun to show you three different versions of Em using her vintage trunk as a side table in her old LA living room. Notice how different the styling is in each of them and also how she decided to turn the trunk horizontally. Baby, there are endless options with these trunks.

Lastly, Brady used his trunk as more of a storage console and looks just as amazing as the other examples. The moral of the story is that you really can’t lose with a vintage trunk if you are thinking you might want one. Or if you have one in storage get that sucker out and put it to work.

Table Lamps In Unconventional Places

While I called the lamps in kitchen trend back in 2020 it obviously wasn’t a new idea. But as I predicted it has really picked up steam since that year. I love how easy it is to do and that it’s also functional. How cute is that little lamp Ginny put in the kitchen above? It adds color, texture, and such a sweetness.

But I’m not saying kitchens are the only place for a table lamp (even though 99% of my examples are just that…use your imagination with me!). Sara styled the same lamp in both her kitchen (before it was done) and on her bar cart. In both places, they are slightly unconventional and yet perfect! Little lamps are also great in a bookcase, a bathroom, and even the floor if it’s the right kind of lamp. Playing with scale is really fun so go for it.

Emily also added this vintage lamp to the bar area in her kitchen. It’s not “necessary” but it does add a fun layer and makes the area feel more special.

“Body Part” Objects

Back in 2021, Caitlin wrote a blog post called “Are Body Part Decor Pieces Back? And Are They The Ultimate Conversation Starter??” but in the EHD world I don’t think they’ve ever really gone anywhere. They’re quirky but also cool. They add dimension and of course personality. Emily is a big wooden hand sculpture fan as you can see from the photos above but of course, there are more options:)

Sara took the nonwooden route and chose what looks like a doll hand and then a little marble bust. Both unique, both fun, and bring a sense of humor to the styling of the home. LOVE. Also, peep that min wooden rattan chair!

So those are some easy styling hacks to potentially incorporate into your home. Styling should be fun and should show off your personality and personal style. Oh and here’s a great post about hanging art in unexpected places in case you wanted some art tips:) Style. Play. Everyday, baby!

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Design by Scott Horne | Styled Velinda Hellen and Erik Kenneth Staalberg | Photo Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Tour My Stylist Friend Scott Horne’s Home That We Shot For My Book + Why We Love It So Much