Collections 15 Ideabooks

In a recent interview with Anderson Cooper, Olympian swimmer Michael Phelps revealed that he keeps his eight gold medals from the Beijing Olympics in his mom's makeup case. With a promising Olympic run (or make that swim) ahead of him, Phelps will need... more »

Jamie and Erin Osborne's studio apartment is in what was once retail company Meier and Frank's warehouse in the heart of Portland, Oregon's, Pearl District. The historic 1923 building was converted into residential apartment lofts and condominiums... more »

Vintage items (those dating from 20 years ago; antiques, by contrast, are at least 100 years old) are essential in adding personality and history to spaces and lend a custom, storied look to any home. What’s a vessel, exactly? Though... more »

Family heirlooms, photographs and other treasures are a meaningful part of any home. They spark conversation, stir up warm memories and offer glimpses into the lives of an older generation. This week we look at creative ways to display these objects,... more »

Sometimes we just get it right: a spot in our house where everything seems to come together in perfect harmony. Maybe it's a cozy reading nook or a feat of organizational genius. A treasured collection well displayed could do it. Even a vase of flowers... more »

The word "mini" conveys a sense of cuteness and a lot of people (like me) have a fascination with scaled models. Not to mention a 3-D object is more interactive than just looking at pictures alone. Display your miniatures in multiples... more »

Collections are wonderful ways to express your personality. Do you have treasures you would like to display, but have no idea how to get started? Most likely your collection already has a unifying subject, shape or material. The next step is to select... more »

Do you have a collection of plates wasting away in a cabinet, just waiting to be used? Chances are you have an extra set you inherited, a collection of flea market finds, or portions of sets. Take them out and incorporate them into your decor. Earlier... more »

The beautiful thing about displaying a collection is that it doesn't require a lot of work. A collection is a piece of art unto itself. A charming assortment of tchotchkes simply needs to be exhibited in a public viewing place to add a touch of personal... more »

A collection can help make your house a home. Typically collections are inherited or gathered over time, but if you are in need of a quick and inexpensive design fix, it is possible to create a collection with a singe trip to the flea market, thrift store... more »

Hanging a group of plates is pretty easy if you have the right tools and a helper. When you do it yourself, getting the spacing right can become a finger-whacking, wall-scarring spackle fest. It does not have to be this way. Read on for the secret to... more »

The joys of collecting are many: the thrill of the hunt, the joy of the score, the beauty of your finds. On the other hand, the hazards are just as real: What starts as an innocent collection or two can end up quickly taking over every free inch of your... more »

Ah minimalists...every object is perfectly curated and no item is brought into a room without a lot of justification and a few nervous beads of sweat. It doesn't have to be that way! Stop worrying about winding up on Hoarders and get your collections... more »

While there is nothing quite like owning a piece of art from an artist you love, the fact is, there aren't a lot of Chagalls in the budget for most of us. We may invest in a few favorite pieces from galleries and street festivals, but still have plenty... more »