More Than “Stuff”: The Stories Behind the Things We Keep

A blog post written by Mrs Way.

Accessories have always been a passion of mine. It’s not something I learned — it’s simply always been there, woven through my life. Not everyone in my family quite understands it, though. They often try to persuade me to part with what they describe as “stuff” — the collections that have gathered in my wardrobe and around our home over the years.

But to me, these things are never just things.

Many of the household pieces and interior accessories I’ve inherited from family, discovered at auctions, or found on shopping expeditions have gradually made their way into the hotels and holiday houses I’ve styled and furnished. Each object carries a little history, a sense of continuity, a personal touch that turns a building into somewhere with warmth and personality.

Lauriston House’s Christmas decorations.

A Particular Weakness for Christmas

One area where even I admit my enthusiasm may be… extensive… is Christmas decorations. I simply can’t resist adding to the collection each year, even though we now have far more than we could possibly use all at once. Thankfully, they don’t go unappreciated.

At the Luttrell Arms in Dunster, our decorations are admired by so many of our visitors. It takes several days for my very talented friend Claire to style and dress the entire building, but the result is always quite magical — festive, welcoming and full of character. It’s one of those moments where “too much” becomes exactly the right amount.

The Great Cushion Debate

Cushions are another subject that sparks lively discussion. I love them — on beds, sofas, window seats — and I’m forever finding new ones for our hotels and holiday homes. They add colour, texture and that final sense of welcome.

Yet they do seem to divide opinion, often along rather predictable lines. Some people (often men!) immediately fling them aside the moment they sit or lie down. Still, before they’re moved, those cushions have already done their job. They say: this is a place to relax, to feel comfortable, to be at home.

Collections, Not Clutter

At home, it’s mostly belts, bags and scarves that I’ve collected — or perhaps hoarded, depending on who you ask — along with a wonderful assortment of sunglasses and reading glasses spanning nearly 50 years. These are now displayed in the downstairs loo at Lauriston House, where they’ve become an unexpectedly interesting feature and a little timeline of changing styles.

I truly admire those who embrace minimalism with discipline. I don’t like mess or surfaces that feel untidy. But I do think there’s a difference between clutter and character. A house or hotel without carefully chosen pictures, mirrors, textiles and personal touches can feel as though something is missing. Beautiful architecture deserves to be enhanced, not stripped of warmth.

The living space at Castle Mews.

Dressing a Space for the Seasons

One of the great pleasures of interiors is changing them with the seasons. We do it naturally with flowers, but also with texture and colour — cosy furs, sheepskins, wool throws and rich-toned cushions in winter giving way to fresh linens and lighter cottons in summery shades. These subtle shifts keep spaces feeling alive and in tune with the time of year.

A Legacy in the Walls

Although the Royal Castle Hotel in Dartmouth and the Royal Seven Stars in Totnes are no longer ours, there are still personal items that I left behind within those buildings. I’ll admit I parted with them somewhat reluctantly, but it’s comforting to know that a small legacy of the love and care we invested over so many years remains woven into those places.

Always Hosts at Heart

For more than 40 years in hospitality, we have always thought of ourselves as hosts rather than simply providers of accommodation. Many guests have become friends, and I believe that comes from the care taken in how a place feels.

When we furnish a holiday home, we do it just as we would if friends were coming to stay with us in Dartmouth. We include personal possessions, thoughtful details and layers of comfort. We want people to feel welcomed, not just accommodated.

Perhaps what some call “too much stuff” is really the layering of a life — objects that carry memory, warmth and personality. Minimalism creates space, but personal touches create connection.

And in homes and hotels alike, it’s that feeling of connection that people remember long after they’ve left.