It all started in fifth grade, when a friend gave me a decorative box as a gift. That present ignited a love affair with boxes that is still burning bright. Through the years, I?ve had fun creating a collection of boxes that includes everything from prized porcelains from France to simple wooden boxes I spied at a flea market. As you walk through my home, you?ll see boxes threaded throughout my displays, helping make my home a reflection of me and what I hold dear.
If you?re a collector, why not do the same? Here are tips for using collections in everyday decorating to give your home more personality.
Some collections are inspired by a thoughtful gift, like my box collection was. Other times, you inherit from family members, like your mom?s collection of teapots or your grandmother?s old lace hankies. Often, you see an item that captivates you, like an interesting saltcellar, lovely hand mirror or botanical print, and you have to have it. Before you know it, you?re on the prowl for additional pieces to go with it. A collection is born!
My husband, Dan, and I are the family archivists, the keepers of historic family photos. So when a friend gave me a darling little antique picture frame a few years ago, I knew we had a match made in heaven. Now I snatch up attractive or unusual old frames when I am on shopping expeditions, then fill them with family photos old and new.
One of the most effective ways to display your collection is to dot pieces throughout your house. That?s what I?ve done with my picture frames. You won?t find a huge group of framed photos together in one location, like people used to do on their grand pianos. Instead, you?ll see them scattered throughout my home, sometimes in unusual places.
Try working one piece of your collection into a display of other accents. Or group several pieces with a few other dissimilar accents. The key is to seamlessly interlace just a few collectibles into your interior decor so they aren?t overwhelming.
Another great way to display a collection is to mass a number of items together to create a jaw-dropping presentation. That?s what my friend Cynthia did, turning her utility room into a Georgian butler?s pantry. She took her enviable collection of silver serving pieces and mixed it with china and crystal to create a beautiful presentation.
I have done the same thing in my home. I like the effect of pooling together little pieces because alone they can get lost. Together, they capture attention.
But know when to stop. No one should walk into your home and say, ?I see you collect tea pots.? When you have too much of a good thing, your home begins to look more like a store or a museum.
If your collection is particularly large, pick a few pieces to display at a time, then rotate. Every few months, when you decorate for the upcoming season, pull a few new items from your collection to replace those on display. If you can, use these treasured pieces to add charm to seasonal displays. For example, if you collect vases, line vases in different sizes and shapes across your mantel this spring. Then, insert one or two daffodils or tulips in each one.
The column has been adapted from Mary Carol Garrity?s blog at www.nellhills.com. She can be reached at marycarol@nellhills.com.
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