I’ve previously discussed how something becoming “beautifully dirty” could be an example of BoI, but, there have been several similarities with personalization, as explained in Don Norman’s book Emotional Design (Basic Books, 2003). That, and when I submitted it for editing, I was questioned, “How does that differ to well-worn appeal?”
1. Becomes beautifully dirty
2. Personalization
3. Well-worn appeal
The stains on a paper dictionary could be classed as all three, sticky notes might differ from 3. The softness of the pages isn’t an appeal, so 1,2. The gleam of the old floorboards which only appear by the inn’s landlady polishing it everyday belongs to 1 and 3. There are overlaps, but don’t necessarily mean the same thing.