Most of us have them. Old cardboard boxes or storage bins that, although unassuming in appearance, hold wonders. Photographs, playbills, blue ribbons, maps, seashells, coins, clovers… Evidence of life well-lived. It seems odd, doesn’t it? That we’d tuck away these meaningful mementos. Safely stored, but easily overlooked.
If you’ve ever considered how to better honor memories, big and small—with a sense of curiosity and an itch toward creativity—you’re in the right place. Today, we want to encourage and equip you to try something new. Dust off that tattered shoebox, and rather than storing away its trinkets and treasures, turn the contents into decor.
Here are three reasons to rethink the memory box—plus some thoughtful alternatives to let your story shine.
01: Making the Memory Last
One of the most logical reasons to swap the cardboard boxes is that they can wind up damaging keepsakes. Factors like moisture, humidity, acidic content, and dust accumulation all contribute to the tarnishing of precious photos, letters, and even jewelry. When items are hidden away in an attic or garage, it’s easy to forget about them. Years can go by before there's a convenient time to check on their state.
That’s why we recommend opting for storage options (like curio cabinets, bowls, trays…even memory jars!) that bring these pieces out and into the everyday—someplace you’re more likely to clean and care for them on a regular basis. It’s a small, but significant, change that will help your heirlooms last for the long haul, so you can pass them down to future generations, as well.
Psst, here are a few more ways to preserve your traditions and carry them forward.
02: A Chance to Clear Out Clutter
If you’re like us, you enjoy holding on to things. Jo will often say she’s an avid collector and gatherer (a treasure-hunter, if you will). But leaning on the sentimental side doesn’t have to mean disorganization. Displaying an edit of what we’ve collected can help achieve a satisfying sense of balance.
While sorting through and selecting which pieces to decorate with, there’s opportunity to take stock, condense, or maybe redistribute. Turn piles of photos into a photo book. Mail memorabilia to family and friends who may want the items themselves (especially kids off at college). Donate or recycle anything that’s no longer needed. Keep what you love—and organize as you go. Your future self will thank you.
03: Your Story Is Worth Telling
Keepsakes placed in plain sight play an active role in our day-to-day lives. In this way, memories can shift from passive recollection to continuous storytelling. Whether through personal reflection or sharing the meaning of a particular item with houseguests, these simple acts ground us in who we are and who we’re becoming. Photographs and souvenirs and trophies and heirlooms are a tether to what matters most. What makes us, us.
We believe every piece of who we are is beautiful in its own way. So let’s lean into those shapes, colors, and stories. We hope you’ll display what inspires you with confidence and make home a place where tangible treasures live on and on.
A Place in the Spotlight
Now, the fun really begins: beginning to decorate. From furniture (like curio cabinets and bookcases) to wall storage (like wooden shelves) and even glass keepsake boxes—there are plenty of ways to store and display your story.
This spring, Jo and our team designed a new piece called the Your Story Display Cabinet, inspired by the art of storytelling. This clear glass case is framed in pretty antique brass with neutral pinboard backing—for endless ways to embrace creativity and showcase all kinds of curiosities. To get started, think of a theme or grouping of interests that hold special meaning. Think: trips to the lake, summers in the garden, sporting wins, and so on. Then layer in items that can tell a cohesive story. Each cabinet comes with the necessary screws and anchors to hang your creation on the wall.
To note: Not every item you care about has to be set out at once. The beauty of display cases is that you can easily swap things in and out as seasons change or when you stumble upon new pieces worthy of a moment in the spotlight.
We hope you’ve found inspiration to start unboxing your trinkets, treasures, and little markers of story—glimpses of the beautiful life you’re building. Let each memory become a new kind of art.
For more inspiration, pick up the spring issue of Magnolia Journal with a story by Joanna Gaines that encourages collecting evidence of the everyday: “Worthy of Display.”
