So, while catching up on some favorite blogs recently I stumbled across a post from Young House Love about a playful decorating trend: elephants in every room. The story made me laugh because I, too, have had eccentric decorating dreams. But beneath the chuckle I was hiding a little secret I felt I should confess.
Dun dun dun… I have a white elephant in my room. In fact, I have a whole stack of white elephants in my living room.
There. Now you know.
These elephants have been part of my life for years—originally my mom’s, and then passed on to me. Travel has long been part of our family story: relatives who visited Africa, a father who lived in Thailand—so our home reflects that history with a variety of global pieces collected over time.
That black Chinoiserie cabinet you see (apologies for the slightly blurry photo) actually came from Thailand. My grandfather served overseas, and our family has picked up distinctive pieces in many places. The elephants feel at home beside the cabinet; the carved details and gold ship motifs evoke travel and adventure for me.
While I suspect my particular stack of elephants was purchased here in the U.S., their design is rooted in travel-inspired traditions. I enjoy bringing objects into our home that carry a sense of history and life experience—items that tell a quiet story.
Still, even knowing why they’re there, I sometimes find the elephants to be an unexpected presence in my living room. They’re a curious contrast next to our coastal/farmhouse/cottage/eclectic Pacific Northwest Craftsman style. Who really places a four-foot-tall elephant statue in a home like that?
I mean, who has a four-foot-tall elephant statue in their coastal/farmhouse/cottage/eclectic NW style Craftsman house in Seattle? Who does that?
ME. THAT’S WHO.
Do you have any funny, random “elephants” in your room?
I actually love having a few quirky, unexpected pieces that make me smile—or that make guests tilt their heads and ask why. Those unique accents become natural conversation starters and give a room personality. They remind me of travels, family stories, and the joy of surrounding yourself with things that feel meaningful, even if they’re a little unusual.
So yes, I have my stack of white elephants. And I’m perfectly happy to own the oddity. It’s those little surprises that keep a home interesting and warm.