Lesson 6: Adding the Personal Touch
Displaying Your Collections
The old adage "Two of a kind is a pair, three of a kind is a collection" is so true! Using your collections as decorating accessories is not only easy, but truly reflects your personality and taste.
However, don't overdo your displays. Too much of a good thing only adds to your dusting duties, and soon becomes "clutter". As mentioned previously, you can rotate the pieces in a collection periodically, and thereby "freshen" the look of your room.
There are readily available locations for your collections: on the mantel, on tabletops, the closed top of a piano, on shelves.
Good design principles recommend that when displaying objects one should use an odd number (three, five, etc.) Place the tallest object in back and stagger the shorter pieces in front. On a mantel or as a centerpiece, place the tallest object in the center and the shorter ones in descending order on either side.
Or, you can place an arrangement of three items on one side of a mantel, and a single prominent item on the opposite side. These don't have to match, but should "balance" visually.
Consider creating a vignette (scene) of small items on one shelf of a bookcase. Don't make it too crowded, as you want the viewer to be able to see everything in the scene. Add a strip light above the vignette for added emphasis.
Curio cabinets are available in just about every furniture style. These display cases can act as a secondary focal point in a living room or dining room.
In a family room or game room, display your favorite sports memorabilia in creative ways. Jerseys or pennants can be mounted on the wall next to posters of your favorite team.
Displaying books adds both color and texture to a room, as well as revealing your taste in reading material. A wall of books is impressive in a study or den, while two or three large books of photos can grace a table top. Try creative ways of shelving them, laying some on their sides stacked two or three upon each other, or letting a small framed artwork share the shelf.
With some judicious editing and careful planning, you can include your collections in every room of the house - and reveal your true passions at the same time!
