This past summer I visited my sister in Arlington, VA. She took me to the local flea market where we stumbled upon the photography of Steven L. Miller {no relation} and I was immediately smitten. Mr. Miller himself was genuine and sweet and his work was no different. Even in black & white, his work captures humanity in a way that speaks to me. It must speak to others as well because several of his pieces are included in a permanent collection at The Smithsonian Museum. Half-jokingly, I hinted at my sister to remember Mr. Miller’s photographs the next time my birthday rolled around. She did!

She gifted me “Generations” and my heart exploded into a million tiny pieces. I used birthday money and a JoAnn’s coupon to have the piece custom framed in narrow gold metal. For the longest time, I have been hemming and hawing over what to hang in a corner of our living room but the moment I received the photgraph I knew it was the one. I was so excited to pick it up from the framer yesterday!

I hung it above the media cabinet in our living room. {TV wall sneak peek!} I adore it. Mr. Miller signed the piece and wrote a note to me on the back stating that the photograph was taken at a gas station in Tucson, AZ. I imagine the man is a hardworking truck driver and was meeting his grandbaby for the first time when this photo was taken. I like to make up stories like that.

My brother-in-law went with my sister to purchase the photograph for my birthday and at first sight he was creeped out by the man’s dirty, wrinkled hands. But in the time it took them to walk home, he was starting to “get it” and his feelings towards the piece completely softened.

“Just look at how happy he is!” my sister told her husband.

I can’t help but smile every time I look at the photograph.

The corner vignette includes a stack of books topped with potted jade. The rock was the very first “gift” from my first child, Layne. He had just started walking and we were at the park. He waddled over to me and handed me this rock. I’ll never forget it. The task lamp is Nate Berkus for Target. The stone “X” and wood bowl were thrift store finds years ago. I want my kids to gift me more rocks to fill up the bowl! The roe deer antlers are faux. They are part of a trio that I recently purchased from One Kings Lane. I haven’t found a home for the other two yet.

All of a sudden this once troublesome corner feels really special.

images: Dana Miller for House*Tweaking