Call them what you will: knick knack, tchochkes, bric-a-brac… you know your grandparents house had them. Mine sure did. 

I feel like these items are a true tell for what kind of people live in a house. Collectors of roosters love Americana. People who collect shells from trips treasure nostalgia. People who collect dolls… are strange.

Either way, I thought it would be fun to take a look at some of the goodies that you can start lining any empty flat surface in your homes with.

Salt and pepper shakers are a great place to start, since they’re familiar territory. My mom has got a sweet collection going in her kitchen, and I am moderately ashamed to say that I am probably the main benefactor.

I am now an expert finder of useless seasoning holders on Etsy:

Oh, dear.

These cats are allowed on the dining room table.

Perfect for when you are planning to over eat.

Moving on… FANCY SOAP! I cannot stress enough how important it is to have fancy soap up in your bathroom. My grandma had a huge bowl in her bathroom full of soaps that she had collected over the years - I’m sure from random vacation hotel rooms (as grannies do). 

I love Caswell Massey, because walking inside makes me feel like an elegant duchess from the early 1900’s. They have a great selection of dainty bath soaps like these by Roger & Gallet.

Packaging, of course, is important with nice soap, which is why I love the Heritage Soaps from Crabtree & Evelyn. My favorites are the Crabapple & Mulberry and Sea Mud & Seaweed. PS, fellas, that last one works for a gentleman’s decor.

There is also a variety of soap that looks like food… which is kind of weird, but whatever. AJ Sweet Soap is pretty rad.

Uhh…

For the straight-up shelf variety why not spice it up with Mr. and Mrs. Mook, some pretty glass greenhouses or a functional chalkboard moose?

Nice fox, Mrs. Mook!

Don’t forget to stop by your local flea market or antique store for hidden treasures and trinkets. My favorite is the most wonderful flea market circus train of them all: The Renegade Craft Fair. You can even browse the one in Brooklyn while sipping on frozen margs from the Turkey’s Nest.

So my little lovlies, go forth and collect dust. 

x