So, I was catching up on some of my favorite blogs the other day and ran across a post by Young House Love about a quirky decorating idea: elephants in every room. It made me laugh because the idea felt so absurd, but it also nudged a secret I’ve been holding onto for years.
Yes, I confess: I have a white elephant in my room. Not just one — a whole stack of white elephants sits in my living room.
They belonged to my mother before she passed them on to me, and they’ve been part of our home for many years. My family has always traveled, and those journeys—along with my father’s time living in Thailand—meant our house collected a variety of fascinating pieces from different parts of the world. The elephants fit right into that mix: they carry a sense of history and travel, even if they were purchased here in the U.S.
The black Chinoiserie cabinet beside them (apologies for the slightly blurry photo) actually came from Thailand. My grandfather served overseas, and family travels brought home furnishings and artifacts that add character and stories to our rooms. The carved details and gold ship motifs on the cabinet make me think of voyages and adventures, and the elephants feel perfectly at home next to it. Together they create an eclectic vignette that reflects where our family has been and what we love.
Still, I know it looks unexpected. Imagine a four-foot-tall elephant statue in a coastal/farmhouse/cottage/eclectic Pacific Northwest craftsman home in Seattle—hard to picture, right? And yet, that’s exactly the look I have. It’s playful and a little odd, but that mix of styles and surprising objects is exactly what makes a house feel like a home.
ME. THAT’S WHO.
Do you have any funny random “elephants” in your room?
I enjoy having a few quirky, unexpected items in the house—those pieces that make you smile, spark a story, or prompt a friend to tilt their head and ask, “Why?” Those conversation starters are purposeful. They don’t have to match a strict aesthetic or follow current trends; they simply reflect personality, memories, and the joy of collecting things that mean something to you.
Decorating with travel-inspired objects brings authenticity to a room. When you place items that carry history or personal connection—whether they’re heirlooms, souvenirs from a trip, or unique finds—you create layers that tell a story. The stack of elephants in my living room does just that: it’s visually unexpected, but it anchors the space in family history and adventure.
Rather than striving for perfection or a single defined style, I like mixing pieces that feel right together. The carved wood and painted details of the cabinet balance the sculptural presence of the elephants. Together, they create warmth, curiosity, and a sense of lived-in charm. That’s what makes eclectic styling so rewarding—each piece contributes to a narrative instead of disappearing into a uniform palette.
Quirky items also invite conversation and connection. Guests often notice the unusual things first, and those observations open up stories about where the objects came from, who owned them, and why they were chosen. For me, the elephants usually start a discussion about travel, family history, or the inspiration behind collecting certain pieces. Those moments are part of the pleasure of decorating.
So if you have something a little unexpected in your home—a statue, a worn suitcase, a framed ticket stub—don’t hide it. Those oddities are often the most meaningful and memorable elements of a room. They reveal personality, spark curiosity, and make your space uniquely yours.
Do you have any funny or surprising “elephants” in your room? I’d love to hear about the odd little treasures that make your home feel like you.