Horn Decor

Generally speaking, horns are one of those items I tend to avoid when I go antiquing. These weathered instruments with their dilapidated cases are often found tucked away in the back corner of antique shops. A lifetime of neglect leaves little room for the imagination. Yet, despite my misgivings, we've actually acquired a couple of brass horns along the way.

One is an old trombone that belonged to my husband's grandfather, many years ago. After he passed away, my husband inherited his prized trombone, as well as the oddly shaped case that came with it. For years, this beloved trombone was stored in our bedroom closet. I completely forgot about it until a spring cleaning project had me organizing all of our closets. Finding this trombone in the back of our closet was like finding buried treasure. I desperately wanted to breathe new life into this family heirloom, so I hung the trombone, horizontally, above a piece of artwork in our living room. It was the perfect addition! The seasoned, brown leather case was the ideal accent piece for the narrow patch of wall, beside our couch. Having these two items on display not only added a bit of interest to our living room, but they also brought memories of loved ones closer.

The second horn came with my husband when we got married. It is a 1966 Al Hirt Special. Al Hirt (Hertz) was a famous trumpet player and bandleader from New Orleans. After winning a Grammy Award in 1964 for his hit song, "Java", he quickly became one of the most poplar instrumental musician in America. My husband stumbled upon this special-edition trumpet several years ago, while he was living in Chicago. It followed him through multiples moves and even marriage. While this trumpet is a collectible, I didn't want to make the same mistake of stashing it away in a closet. I hung the trumpet vertically on a slice of wall that needed some personality. I added some branches for contrast. The beautifully embossed leather case created a display area for a vintage book from my childhood as well as a child's walking stick.

These two examples are a reminder to see things beyond their intended purpose. By doing so, we can add a touch of creativity to our homes and life to items that have long since been forgotten.