New Victorian: Amazing Office Decor

I just returned from a lovely and rejuvenating trip to Victoria (hence the play on words in this post's title)!

Despite the fact that my infinitely-irritating headaches and back pain persisted and didn't relent until Sunday (four days into my trip), I had a wonderful time. I ate and ate. I walked and walked. I had breakfast (bacon, orange juice!) and a facial with my marvellous aunt. I had a massage. We ate French food. We ate local, organic food. I ate chocolate creams. We ate Indian food that M. made. We ate pizza and walked in the park and looked at the ocean. I shopped for antiques and tested sofas. I bought an antique etching. We shopped for books. We talked and talked! My back ached and I took a hot bath in epsom salts. I iced my aching neck. I walked more. I came home weary and rested in my quiet room. I savoured the west coast weather (chilly but green!). I watched cherry blossoms and crocuses unfurl. I had a great break!

But...

What I wanted to share first is my friend M.'s apartment wall, where she displays some of her portrait postcards. This is just a fraction of her 5000 card collection. M. and her hubby I. share a lovely, brightly-lit, airy space with amazing views over the city and park below. I love their apartment, which is small and comfortable and inviting (and smells good) and always has something good to read, and is filled with character (plus, she has a zero-gravity chair that my back needs).

M. can tell you who almost everyone on this wall is:

Besides postcards, she has heaps of books too, all of which she devours. She is very clever. If that isn't enough, she's learning Italian (and ballroom dancing)!:

As you look closer, you become engrossed in the individual cards. They are so absorbing as you start to recognize faces (and can't remember names...)

If you don't know who they are, you are encouraged to pull them off the wall and read the back (and remind everyone):

I love the juxtaposition of the beautiful and the brilliant, the young and the old, the witty and the wise and the well-built. And the just-plain talented:

I love this wall and think it's a fabulous decor idea for your office. That is...if you don't mind spending twenty years collecting and (gradually) spending thousands of dollars...!

You should see her other postcards...famous people are just the beginning!

Thanks M. for letting me photograph your collection (and for being you)!