Think you need a big budget and top-notch taste to achieve a well-designed home?

On the contrary, the days of having museum-level interiors are waning, and a new approach is gaining momentum.

Meet the anti-decorating trend that’s the brainchild of Monica Khemsurov and Jill Singer, founders of Sight Unseen and authors of their debut book, “How To Live With Objects.”

The basic premise will feel like a breath of fresh air to anyone who is intimidated by stuffy and unrealistic design principles that place a high bar on pristine home decor.

Khemsurov and Singer give readers permission to ditch pricey interior designers and ultraexpensive furniture, in favor of objects and decor that bring meaning and comfort—homemade crafts, vintage accessories, or nostalgic objects that were gifted by friends and family.

The COVID-19 pandemic played a key role in inspiring the authors to write this book. Like most of us, Khemsurov and Singer were spending countless hours at home, staring at their furniture and decor. As it turns out, embracing that stuff is what this trend is all about.

For more details about beautifying a home in a personally meaningful way, we chatted with the editorial team behind the book and website. Here’s what they had to say about the rise of the anti-decorating trend, plus some advice that’ll help you approach home design in a new way.

What inspired you to write this book?

Monica Khemsurov: We wrote this book for all the people out there who care about how their homes look and make them feel, but who are also maybe intimidated by the kinds of interiors you see in most magazines and books.

Our book is meant to be a manual for a new approach … that revolves around the meaningful, personal objects you choose—whether they’re $500 vases by a contemporary designer or an incredible find [from a] a garage sale for $2.

Did the COVID-19 pandemic play a role in the writing?

Khemsurov: The pandemic was 100% the spark that finally got us to write a book after all these years—and this book in particular. We were sitting at home, surrounded by all our objects. And in my case, since I live alone, these were my only company.

It made us really think about how important they were to us, the impact they can have not just on [the] home and everyday life but also on [our] happiness. So the timing really lined up, and the concept—this was the only one we ever considered—was that objects are what truly make a home. And we even had the title locked in from Day One.

Why are people gravitating toward everyday objects as decor right now?

Jill Singer: Our anti-decorating message is really meant to convey that your interior doesn’t have to live up to the often-unattainable notion of a perfectly appointed, aspirational home with extensive renovations and expensive window treatments.

In fact, that idea is outdated in the age of social media and Zoom calls, because everyone’s home is now on display. Now, there’s a higher value placed on authenticity and having interesting stuff. No one expects you to live in a magazine fantasy home anymore. This is a more playful and fun way to approach your space, rather than try and make it measure up to someone else’s idea of what good design is.

Which things in particular do you recommend homeowners choose when decorating their homes?

Khemsurov: We try not to be too prescriptive with which objects people should look for, because the point of the book is to guide homeowners toward finding their own unique style. We’d recommend that people choose the objects they’re drawn to and feel a spark with. You might scan flea market tables for the strangest or most eye-catching thing…

For us, personally, we tend to gravitate toward objects with strong shapes, that are often colorful and strikingly unusual, without being too crazy or over the top. And we also love objects that are homemade by people who don’t have a presence in history or online. Maybe they just did woodworking or ceramics in their garage and made a few incredible things that turned up on eBay.

Is there anything you’ve picked up lately that sparked some joy?

Khemsurov: I recently acquired a pair of beautiful, color-speckled drinking glasses from Sirius Glassworks—a Canadian father-daughter glass-blowing studio—which I plan to use when entertaining friends. And I also got a pendant lamp—from the L.A. lighting design studio Atelier de Troupe—that will eventually go over my dining table. What I love about these objects is that they’re both made by colleagues I have a long, close relationship with.

What are some mistakes homeowners tend to make when decorating their homes?

Khemsurov: We don’t really believe in mistakes, since the home should be a living and evolving thing where objects can move and breathe at your whim.

Rearrange and repaint if your things don’t feel physically or visually right, and remember: Your home shouldn’t feel like a museum.

Of course, if you acquire something you don’t like, don’t feel bad. It happens all the time! Donate it, gift it to a friend, or resell it.

Can you share a misstep you’ve made in your own homes?

Singer: I make mistakes all the time! I’ve bought vases that are too big, rugs with materials I didn’t realize would oxidize in a beachy climate. … You just have to be willing to make mistakes as part of the process and shrug, move on, gift or resell your errors, and try again.

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