Filling space against the sake of being empty is the fashionable function of most interior decoration. The quality, coloring, and placement of these furnishings correlate to an implied social stratum– of personalities, lifestyles, and social statuses– attributed decorative luxuries. Some decor compensates simplicity with words; sentimental equity of inspiration or kind coercion to feel and believe something not universally accepted; a controversial statement. Although the relevance, purpose, and effect vary from the placement within a house of signs– ranging from the ‘Welcome Home’ doormat, to the ‘Beware of Dog’ window sign, and the ‘Live, Laugh, Love’ bathroom plaque–there remains an exploitation of audience in the vanity of employing this method of representation as an accurate reflection of the owner.
Decorum is meant to enhance an environment, and motivational paraphernalia are often placed out of context as they are not expected to encourage a living-room area to ‘Live, Laugh, Love’ so much as the company it keeps. Even then it does not entertain an audience with the efficacy required to make them abandon their views and conduct their lives according to a motivational poster. This issue of audience impedes the idea of decorative purpose: it is not so much that you are surrounded by quality items but that there are others who see that you are surrounded by quality items. In this case, the receiver of this visual exploitation assumes something about the owner that may or may not be true but is reinforced by the connotations of a well-worded decoration. This is without considering that the words are seldom their own; motivational decoration is a common commercial product, the author of the words rarely affiliated with the end-product and company themselves. It’s the purchaser who receives unwarranted credit for cleverness and style.
Other issues of ownership, unrelated associations, ingenuine quotations, and other placebo effects will be explored in this paper to the conclusion that inspirational home decor repurposes quotes and images to pander to its audience and make the appearance of an impact.