NOSTALGIA is the young soul among the palettes of the Boysen Color Trend 2020. She’s the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed child who can’t stop asking tough questions—whys and hows! The grownups swarm around her because her presence is heart-warming—reminding them of their childhood. I’m one of those adults who is fascinated with her enthusiasm and boldness.
NOSTALGIA is a reminder that it’s okay to be wistful about my cherished past and that consulting my heart more than my head is not always a bad thing. Some things just feel right and I just have to trust the inner child in me. She tells me that I’m not really an adult, I’m just a tall child looking for a safe and sound space.
Nostalgic Songs and Spaces
My ideal living space is like my childhood memories, familiar and uplifting. That description falls short of trying to capture the image of my dream home in my head, so I’ll try to paint a picture of a home that makes me feel nostalgic by letting you listen to my favorite tunes. Music has always been close to my heart and has a way to describe how I feel. Being one of the most potent catalysts of nostalgia, songs are a great guide in recreating a space that feels cozy and comforting.
Read on to see some home color ideas and listen to the playlist I curated that’s inspired by the lyrical NOSTALGIA color palette.
“Sunny” by Bobby Hebb
“Sunny, yesterday my life was filled with rain
Sunny, you smiled at me and really eased the pain
Now the dark days are done, and the bright days are here
My Sunny one shines so sincere
Sunny one so true, I love you.”
This song is quite a view, and it has always transported me back to my childhood home that has lots of glass and windows. The sunlight freely flooded our whole house. This probably explains why I’ve always been drawn to open-concept homes with a modern, airy aesthetic. It’s a dream to live in a space with generous window and door openings that can welcome natural light. I want the sunlight to wake me up and fill the entire room. I love to watch how the color of natural light changes throughout the day—from the purple light just before sunrise, the blinding yellowish-white light at midday, to the tranquil orange sunset.
“Our House” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
“Our house is a very, very, very fine house
With two cats in the yard
Life used to be so hard
Now everything is easy cause of you.”
I wasn’t born yet when “Our House” was released but it makes me nostalgic for a time I never actually lived in. A house wouldn’t be a home to me if there are no cats around. These gentle killing machines/creatures dictate the furnishings that I’m considering to introduce to my space. I had to let go of a lot of stuff because I can’t afford too much clutter. My cat will either eat it, break it, or turn it into a scratch post. If it doesn’t have a purpose, it has to go.
“Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys
“I love the colorful clothes she wears
And the way the sunlight plays upon her hair
I hear the sound of a gentle word
On the wind that lifts her perfume through the air.”
I can’t imagine a more perfect song than “Good Vibrations” to represent my ideal living space. It translates my unexplainable preference for particular colors. For me, cheery and vibrant hues infuse a feeling of happiness that helps usher good vibes into a home. To see yellow, orange, red, blue, and purple in one palette is music to my eyes. It’s a pronounced feeling of comfort and warmth. In short, it just feels right.
What songs make you feel nostalgic? Let those songs lead you to your safe space steeped in nostalgia.