As I mentioned a couple days ago, I am moving my decorating philosophy much closer to a simple, less-is-more mantra. I have always enjoyed shopping for decor, but I now have very specific ideals to focus on when faced with a purchase decision.
With three little boys and a small home, I don’t have space for a large collection of beautiful elements that can wait around for specific seasons or a nesting mood to strike. Storage is certainly at a premium, and too many decorative items on display at once can easily add to a cluttered atmosphere.
For those of you interested in either paring down a large amount of stuff into something more manageable, or in the beginning stages of gathering your own collection, I will share my personal list of decorating essentials.
A Clean, Uncluttered Home
Speaking as much to myself as anyone who happens to be reading, if I don’t spend some time cleaning and decluttering my home, no amount of decorating is going to make it a peaceful place to live. Sometimes I need to take down all the peripheral stuff and take a look around. Just one beautiful centerpiece can look stunning when it isn’t competing with chaos. And, again, too many decorative items on display can create a cluttered atmosphere of their own.
A Spot For Beauty
I’ve mentioned it before, but having one area that you have dedicated to beauty keeps the idea of decorating from being overwhelming.
Choose an area (a simple white shelf, a mantel, the top of a piano…) and commit to keeping it free of life’s clutter (keys, wayward mail, sippy cups…). Don’t be afraid to experiment. Practice your arranging skills. Change items seasonally.
You will find that your eye rests in that spot and gives you something to smile about. And that feeling is contagious. You’ll want to keep the room picked up and maybe even extend the beauty to a new spot.
White Dishes
On my essential list: platters, pedestal bowl and cake plate, and pitchers. These don’t have to represent a significant investment. Scout out thrift stores or even the dollar store.
The pedestal bowl is my favorite way to elevate (literally and figuratively) simple items into a beautiful centerpiece. I use it year-round, easily adding natural groupings which do not have to be stored for the next season.
A white platter becomes a piece of art when placed on a wall on its own or in a grouping. I used craft paint and a foam paint stamp directly on a platter to create additional interest. (It washed right off when I was ready to put it back in the cupboard with my other dishes.)
(A silver platter or a few colored/patterned dishes give new life to a set of basic white dishes rather than having multiple full sets of colored or seasonal dishes.)
Vintage Books
I am on the constant look-out for vintage books with interesting bindings. They come in handy to elevate smaller items or to add a pop of color. When they are out of service, I return them to a decorative bookshelf where they look lovely as a larger collection.
Larger beautiful books of fine art, gourmet cooking, interior design, or gardening can be used in similar ways. I love the colors and illustrations on quality children’s picture books.
Candles and Various Candle Holders
Candles serve multiple functions in decorating. Nothing compares to the ambiant lighting of a small flickering flame.
I like to have a selection of colored taper candles on hand (inexpensive and easy to use up), but I tend to purchase pillar candles in neutral tones since I don’t use them as quickly and they represent a larger investment.Look for various textures (I love beeswax candles for a natural look) and don’t forget the versatile glass religious candles. 
Simple White or Glass Vases If you have the space, it is wonderful to have various sizes of vases for fresh flowers or other natural displays. I’m not one of those lucky people with cupboard space to spare, so I’ve had to think outside the box. I prefer to find pieces with more than one function. Glass or white pitchers, canning jars, or even drinking glasses all work as well (or better) than standard vases. Again, most thrift stores would be a terrific place to pick these up. 
Garden Ornaments
Don’t be afraid to bring the outside in. Metal barn stars, trellises, statuary, watering cans, old wagons, armillaries, terra cotta pots, even bird baths can look fabulous in the home. When they aren’t being used, they just head back outdoors.
Natural Items
This might be my favorite catagory. Inexpensive, easy to recycle, don’t require storage, and speak volumes of the seasons. Moss, fruit, nuts, pine cones, stones, branches, fresh flowers, potted wheat grass, sheaves of wheat, shells, sand, gourds, leaves. The list really is endless.
I don’t know if they would be considered natural items, but baked goods can be displayed (though they don’t last long in my house) such as a glass cookie jar filled with home-made treats, and nothing says home to me like a fresh-baked chocolate chip cookie.
Vintage Treasures
Many elements in my decorating collection are simple, basic pieces, but I do find that I like to have a couple one-of-a-kind, unusual, or vintage finds to spice things up. This is where personalities can really shine through.
A few ideas for you: old telephones, typewriters, or cameras; empty picture frames; old window frame, doors, or shutters; pottery; paint-splattered wooden ladders (really!), records, card holders, world globes…
I have more to add to the list in a couple days, but this should certainly get you started!
What decorating pieces can you not live without?