Lately, I’ve found myself drawn to hand-painted pieces. I won’t confirm that it all started at the 2025 Fall show in Round Top, TX, but I’m not saying it didn’t play a role in what’s been speaking to me as I source for the shop.
If I had to zero in on one category I’m especially loving? Boxes. Why boxes? For anyone just beginning to bring hand-painted pieces into their home, a smaller object feels like far less of a commitment and an easy way to experiment with a new style.
Here are four hand-painted boxes I’m loving in the shop right now, each showing a slightly different style and ways to live in your home, along with a few thoughts on how I’d layer them in...
1. Timeless Americana: Hand-painted toleware has been around since the 18th century in Europe, before becoming widely popular across New England. Pieces like this feel quintessentially classic Americana to me. I’ve styled this one on a bookshelf for a bit of visual interest, but I can also picture it on a kitchen countertop, filled with family recipes.
2. Decor as Art: When I was pulling together Collection III, I had a moment with this antique Chinoiserie box. Does it make sense on a dresser? I wasn’t entirely sure, and then I realized it didn’t necessarily have to. Of course, it’s always nice when design and function overlap, and this could offer storage just about anywhere. But to me, it reads first as art. The scale, the patina, the striking phoenix and floral motifs, and the unexpected red theory, make it something meant to stand out wherever it lives.
3. Double the Impact. When two pieces come together, the styling possibilities multiply. This set of treasure chests creates a fresh, Spring-like feel against their perfectly dark background (read: a touch of black in every room). Style the large and small together to double the impact and interest.
4. Perfectly Petite: Simple to style, instantly interesting, and offering a bit of sneaky storage, what’s not to love? Add a small box like this to a coffee table, bookshelf, or just about any vignette, and much of the styling is already done.
Hand-painted boxes are easy to live with, easy to style, and often the pieces that make a space feel layered and personal. And these are just the start. If you love small, personal touches like this, take a peek at the shop for more favorites I’m loving right now.
This blog post was written by me, a human, not AI.