Word Study: Texture

Published on January 10, 2011 :: No Comments

Words are cool.  I like words.

Just a single word, something as broad and abstract as “texture”, conjures up emotions, memories, pictures in your mind.  Different for everybody.  What was your first thought when you saw the title of this post?

I was working through a portion of Danielle LaPorte’s Fire Starter Sessions (awesome resource for any entrepreneur looking for a positive kick in the business pants) and she asked me to describe my business in one word.  My mind immediately went blank.  Probably not a good sign.

But then later I was brainstorming blog post ideas and hit on the concept of choosing one word and playing with it, poking at it, opening it up to see what’s inside.  I listed a bunch of words, and when I wrote “texture” a little bell went off in my head. 

Tandem Antiques in one word:  texture.

I’ll begin on the surface.  Texture is tactile.  It adds character to fabric.  It speaks volumes of history in the paint, the wear, the evidence of use and age that an antique piece comes to us with.

When we set up at shows, customers often tell us that they “love our look.”  It’s very sweet, but it makes us laugh because we are sooo all over the place with our merch, what the heck is our look?

I mean, we have primitive alongside victorian with modern and industrial and folk art and silver and …

But suddenly I think I get it.  Our look.  It’s about texture.  Layers.

Texture is created when items are added to a “canvas” — a wall, a room, a house, a booth at a show — that are

unexpected

juxtaposed to the surroundings

personal, intimate

handmade, worn, used

obviously very old, or boldly modern

And texture then creates friction, sensation.

It gives the viewer something to experience and react to.

It makes the difference between a beautiful and perfectly put together house, and a home.  A room with all the right pieces and the trendiest color on the walls, and a space that breathes your personality.

I believe that is what people are responding to when they walk into our booth – the possibility of finding some quirky, offbeat item that speaks right to them.

Our displays are full of juxtaposition and contrast – cast iron with mercury glass, primitive with modern, silk and rust.  It gives our customers permission to break the rules, to bring home the thing they love, even if it doesn’t “go” with the decor.

Finding that right thing, that makes your heart sing a little, that you can’t quite put down, is a reflection of your own texture.

Because, of course, texture is also what makes a person interesting, rich and deep.  Your own slubs in the weaving, and wear to the paint, the accumulation of experiences and the marks they leave behind – that’s texture.