When I think back to my childhood, there’s nothing that gets me more excited than shopping for school supplies. There were notebooks (I’m looking at you, Lisa Frank), binders, highlighters, and of course, pencils. Whether you used one for a written assignment in class, for doodling, or for passing notes to a friend, that yellow No. 2 pencil was always by your side. Today, this iconic item is making a comeback in home decor, but not just on desks. Enter: the coveted, six-foot-long Ticonderoga pencil.
No, that was not a typo. There is six feet Replicas of the classic Ticonderoga pencil are in circulation, and finding one of these happens to be my white whale. As silly as it may sound, I’ve always found comfort in writing utensils and stationery (don’t even get me started on the smell of a new book). I’m also just a fan of anything oversized and playful. Exhibit A: I have an oversized clock hanging on my living room wall.
As it turns out, I’m not the only one fascinated by this larger-than-life school tool. Recently, I noticed the much-admired giant pencil on my Instagram feed in the homes of designers I follow, like Jen Levy of Surrounded by Color. “I’ll never forget the first time I saw the pencil at Bi-Rite Studio in Brooklyn,” Levy explains. “It was 2018, and it was leaning casually against a lattice wall. It made such an impression on me. About six months later, I got one of my first big checks from a freelance job, and Dream Fishing Tackle had just posted a pencil. I immediately bought it.”
It’s not just designers like Levy and I who have a penchant for these oversized everyday objects. During one of my many online searches, I discovered the joy that was Think Big!, a New York City store that specialized in oversized pencils, crayons, wrenches, toothbrushes, and more. Sadly, it closed in 1994, but before that it had even caught the attention of Hollywood when one of its oversized keyboards was featured in the movie Largewith Tom Hanks in the leading role.
So why Are Oversized items are trending right now, so why is this pencil finding its way from the classroom into our homes? I went straight to the source, where I’ve tried to get my hands on one of these giant pencils many times before. Barbara Piskorska, owner of Brooklyn-based vintage furniture and record store Dream Fishing Tackle, attributes the pencil’s popularity to luck and nostalgia.
“It takes people back to their childhood – a classic writing instrument and a joyful staple of growing up,” explains Piskorska. “When people see it in adult size, it just draws them in.” Fun fact: She found 13 of them during her years-long search for pencils (dream job!).
Piskorska suggests that if you see one of these pencils in the wild, you should grab it as soon as possible. “Sometimes these pencils can be a little difficult to source,” she adds. “In the vintage world, they usually originated as a teacher’s possession or were simply a classroom prop, and they are few and far between. Try your local vintage shops and if you see one, buy it because they don’t come around that often!”
I often dream about how I would style my own jumbo pencil at home. I might take a cue from Levy, who suggests displaying it upright in an unobtrusive corner. “My house has always been quite ‘white’ and neutral, which makes the pencil unexpected,” Levy says. “It feels a little too crazy when the other pieces around it are also trendy and colorful. It’s important not to pack too many flashy things into a room!” Or Piskorska recommends placing it next to your favorite piece of art, or even hanging it on the wall as a piece of art itself. Either way, it’s guaranteed to be a conversation starter.
I’m not giving up hope of finding one of these pencils. Although it doesn’t write or erase, this is the only time I’ve put form over function in design – the piece holds a special nostalgic place in my heart. If I’m not lucky with saving next time, I could make the pencil myself, but the thrill of the hunt makes it even more tempting!
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