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Collections: Create Art With the Things You Love
Tell a Little Story on a Tabletop, Tray, Mantel or Wall
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 interest and investment to your home.
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When considering how to present a collection, think about the best way for people to grasp how beautiful each individual item is. These sake cups work well on a side table tray, where people can look down and appreciate the designs in each cup.
by The Locker
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The assumption is often that a collection is comprised of many objects. In reality, there's no minimum number required. As long as all the items are similar, a display of only a few items — like these globes — will feel complete.
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Tell a story with a collection. Placing smaller items together in an unexpected place not only emphasizes the scale of the collection, but also allows for the perfect venue to create a diorama-like vignette.
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by French Larkspur
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| A mantle is the ideal place to display a collection, particularly one as elegant and functional as antique candlesticks. |
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If you get your fix from vintage or modern art, an easy and artistic solution is to frame each item and arrange on a photo wall. A wall of like-minded items adds a sense of depth and personality to a room.
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by Beach Vintage
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| Functional items quickly become artistic displays when framed, such as this collection of vintage bathing suits... |
by Pour Toujours
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.... or these cleverly framed and labeled wine corks ....
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| ... or these elegantly displayed seashells ... |
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... or these miniature frames of bottlecaps!
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| Framing collected items doesn't necessarily mean putting them into a picture frame. By placing these items in clear glass bottles, the designer highlights each individual item and emphasizes the items' theme. |
by Beach Vintage
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A collection can literally be made up of anything. A set of brightly colored dishes found at a garage sale become a perfect focal point on a wall-mounted rack.
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| Put a simple collection of antique dishware on contrasting industrial shelving for a rustic and vintage look. |
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Using unexpected methods to present a collection makes the items a little more subtle and feel more like a natural part of the home.
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Something as silly as miniature alcohol bottles can quickly fill a room when organized on well-lit shelves. Despite the nature of the contents, the museum-like feel of the display adds a sense of seriousness that makes this collection surprisingly versatile.
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With functional collections such as records or books, the items are used so often that displaying them in clean and organized stacks is the way to go.
Have a great collection display? Please share a photo below!
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Get the Look: Instant Collections
Browse more home design photos
Have a great collection display? Please share a photo below!
More:
Get the Look: Instant Collections
Browse more home design photos
Ideabook updated on March 24, 2011.
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actually, those aren't industrial shelves. they're old metal chicken nest boxes! and i'm so insanely envious of the person who found them. of course, i'd be putting them in my chicken coop instead of my house, but i love the look they've created!