The voyages of objects + More

The weekly micro-decorating newsletter * Issue 7 of 13, A25 * Subscribe free *

Settling an estate is a daunting task. My brothers and I have agreed to put my mother's condo on the market by Easter, which means that literally thousands of objects will need new homes. Our Mom was an avid collector of beautiful things – textiles, glasswork, paintings, you name it. How can we ensure that this treasure trove is released in a way that honours her?

Thankfully, the process is beginning with fairness and good sense. My youngest brother expressed interest in a set of modernist nesting tables that were a wedding gift to my parents from my grandparents in the Netherlands. We all were in favour of their new destination, probably reassured by the fact that they'll fit seamlessly in my brother's mid-century Los Angeles bungalow.

After the tables had already left on their journey, I realized that their new adventure was noteworthy, these signs of affection linking families and continents. It turned out my brother had snapped photos along the way, and I'm awarding him honorary guy with an eye status for contributing them to this issue.

Here's one of the tables in my Mom's living room, still on duty as a plant stand:

The three siblings eventually congregated to be packed up for their plane trip:

Their nesting ability allowed them to fit into a single cardboard box, which travelled in the hold of the plane. The tabletops made the trip in a purple carry-on bag. A few hours later, all the items were reunited on an airport trolley:

Of course, there was more waiting involved...

But eventually the trio burst out of confinement in their sunny new home:

They have the rambunctious energy of children, and at the same time they're over sixty years old, showing small signs of wear and tear.

Meaningful objects have a way of persisting. We're caretakers and if we do our job, we're passing things on graciously to the next generation. The ongoing journey may never be known to us, but being a stop on the way is our chance to be fully present.

Sightings

Look'n'learn

Two weekends ago, I visited Art Toronto, the annual extravaganza showcasing artists from across Canada and around the world. Events like this are the cultural equivalent of binge-watching a Netflix series, one artwork leading to the next until a few hours later you're satiated and somehow still wanting more.

When a work draws you back for a second look, then, it's significant. The piece that I returned to this time around was a painting titled Scope by the Vancouver-based painter Scott Sueme:

It may have been the mid-century feel of the sharp-edged forms that initially caught my eye, but I found a slow-burning intrigue in all the references to home: a tiled floor, a patterned carpet, tied-back curtains, sunlight bursting through a window. It got me thinking about how we assemble our interiors from so many bits and pieces, converging to create a sense of belonging, then floating free in our memories.

You can explore more of Scott Sueme's work on his extensive website. I think you'll find his compositions a reminder of the mood boards we create ourselves, through the daily choices we make, at home and beyond.

Thank you for reading.