The Viceroy, Santa Monica, inspired my wall of plates.

Wall Décor

Tell Your Story

Wall décor can trip people up.

Yet it can also make or break a home’s interior. Photos are lovely, but art is the game-changer.

Your walls should reflect you. They should tell your story through images that bring peace, make you laugh, or remind you of someone you miss. For example, my mother, my best friend, passed a decade ago. Her photo stirs pain, so instead I display hummingbirds, her favorite. They remind me she’s still with me and how lucky I was to have her.

It’s also important to include cheeky art. In England, “cheeky” means mischievous, bold, irreverent, and lighthearted. I always recommend choosing at least one piece that feels that way to you — something with an inside story only you and a select few understand.

Here’s what I have on my walls, and why:

  • Hummingbirds → My mom

  • Superman art → My youngest son, who wore his Superman shirt every day for a year

  • Palm tree print → My Southern California roots

  • Typography/word art → My journalism background and obsession with fonts

  • Vintage fire alarm → My first act of childhood defiance (yes, I pulled one in elementary school)

  • Dodgers “LA” logo → My dad, a lifelong Dodgers fan

  • Marimekko textile → A favorite shower curtain I stretched into wall art

  • My Favorite Parent Card →I framed a cheeky card my oldest son bought me that says ‘You're My Favorite Parent'.’ It always makes me laugh.

Superman in the shadows of a young boy reminds me of my youngest.

Where to Find Your Pieces

  • Etsy: My absolute go-to for unique art and objects. (I’ll have an article next week on how to search productively!)

  • Anthropologie: A surprising source for both classic and modern art.

  • Plates as décor: I hang decorative plates inspired by the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica. My favorites include John Derian and

    Christopher Jagmin.

  • eBay: A treasure hunt I know well — I picked up many finds while working there.

  • Open Studios: Visit local artists in their creative spaces and bring home something deeply personal.

  • Amazon: Don’t overlook it — I found a gorgeous, colorful, affordable piece there.

  • Objects: Sculptures, vases, plants, or sentimental items that fit on a shelf.

  • Frame it: Concert tickets, book covers, news articles, or anything else that tells your story.

John Derian letter plates in a fun text abbreviation we have all used once or twice.

Ask Yourself

Think about what inspires you and brings you joy. Start with 4–6 meaningful themes. Ask yourself:

  • What were my favorite subjects in school or college?

  • What hobbies define me?

  • Do I miss “home,” and what objects remind me of it?

  • Where do I escape to when I need peace?

  • Who do I miss — a parent, a child in college, a best friend — and what symbolizes them?

  • What always makes me laugh?

It’s hard to believe, but it’s from Amazon.