A Few of My Favorite Things...

Decorating my apartment has been a gradual process, as I believe home decorating should be. As my apartment has become more and more full of stuff, I've come to realize that the things I value the most coincidentally cost me the least. Actually, each one was completely free.

It can be really difficult to pick out art for someone else's home, but a few people have really hit the mark drawing, painting or picking out art for my apartment. Every time I look at each of them, I think of the person who gave it to me and feel special all over again for having been given such a unique and personal gift. When's the last time a print from Bed, Bath & Beyond made anyone feel that sappy?

This painting hung above my bed until the day I left for college. When my mother moved last year and began getting rid of stuff, she asked if I wanted to take it back to New York with me. It's a bit hyper-feminine for me and I almost passed on it, until she casually threw in the fact that my grandmother painted it for me when I was a little girl. I don't care what it does or doesn't match; I'm never letting it go.

My uncle was a very talented artist, and my mom has several of his larger paintings hanging in her home. When he died last year, his best friend sent me several smaller pieces he did. This tree was drawn with pencil on the back of a lined piece of notebook paper. In my opinion, it's no less special than an oil on canvas.

This small print was given to me during the last session I had with one of my psychotherapy clients. When I asked him to explain the meaning behind it, he told me that he was leaving my office a stronger man than when he entered it. My job rules.

The print in the background was given to my boyfriend as a thank you gift by a well-known stage actress who was performing at his theater space. We both feel so lucky to work with wonderful people and feel appreciated by them. 

And my favorite, favorite, favorite: This was painted by my boyfriend's 7-year-old nephew and given to us for our birthdays this summer. We were incredibly impressed by his skills and think he's the next Warhol.

Do you have any special pieces of art that remind you of someone you love?