Sexuality is not the only thing hidden in closets. Having just celebrated Gay Pride, it is fitting we acknowledge that hiding who we really are just isn’t right for anyone. You may not be hiding something as fundamental as your sexuality but then you really don’t know until you begin to show who you are and what you love. Vignettes are a great way to discover yourself and openly share with others.
Vignettes as self expression.
At the design workshop I held the end of April, we started with vignettes as a way to begin to see our homes as a place where we can express ourselves. Vignettes are small and easily arranged using objects hidden away in the closet. But you must use objects you love, maybe because of the memories they hold or the way they look or maybe they are objects that bring a smile to your face because of their whimsy or silliness or inappropriateness.
Involve the kids in creating vignettes.
One of the attendees of the workshop just wasn’t really getting into the spirit. But then she enlightened us, “I’ve got small kids. It wouldn’t last two seconds in my house.” So here are some thoughts for including children in creating vignettes.
Think interactive.
I love the Minion movies and picked up a few toy Minions at my local Goodwill. My whimsical self alongside books on spirituality. Guests always notice. Little guests don’t come frequently to my home but last week I had such a visitor and he immediately spied the Minions, picked one up and put it down in a different place. So fantastic! Children have such confidence in their own creativity.
Think stories.
We are always asking kids to put their objects, what we call toys, away where they can’t be seen. Sometimes that means taking apart a scene important for a story they have imagined. A tableaux. Which according to Mirriam-Webster is a shortening of tableau vivant which translates to “living picture.” Instead encourage a child to save or build a vignette with a few toys so that they can share it with others or later pick up where they left off.
Think love.
Why have we come to think of the love of objects as bad? Children see objects and relate directly to them. So consider after a vacation having a space on the bookshelf or mantle for a vignette where each of you can contribute a favorite memento from the trip. Then take turns arranging the objects, taking photos, and talking about what makes each arrangement work. Help children retain that love of the beauty and the aliveness of objects. Like most interactions with children, we give much and receive much. So tap into their confidence and love of objects.
Create beautiful vignettes.
What have you got in your closets that you can boldly share? Whether you live alone, with friends, a partner, or kids, encourage individuality and self expression. And never forget beauty. Here are a few tips for creating vignettes that will draw the eye and nourish the soul.
- Use odd numbers of objects.
- Group objects like they are in conversation, never too far away from each other.
- Vary height, including using vertical and horizontal surfaces in a single vignette.
- Stand back and squint so you can see the essentials of the design.
- Don’t overthink. Play instead.