I often work with clients who have personal mementos in their home decor, and it is always fun to have memories hanging on the wall and posing on the shelves.
Sometimes it is a collection of items that have been amassed over some time. It might also be items handed down from deceased relatives or maybe it is plaques of recognition, awards or trophies.
These types of items can be difficult to display in an aesthetic way. So many of these items, if scattered around a room, can be unsightly sitting here and there, collecting dust.
They can sometimes be a bit garish in color. The theme of decorative items can be a bit dated and not fit the theme of your overall look.
Almost all of the time my clients assume I will tell them to box their collections and store them away; but that would never be my response!
I have always been a collector. As a child I collected decoy ducks and Goofy (Disney) memorabilia.
As I got older, I collected Wizard of Oz and Judy Garland memorabilia, and I ended up owning over 20 original costumes that Garland wore in the movies, as well as her concerts and TV shows.
I traveled around the world with original little people who played munchkins in the Wizard of Oz! I would exhibit the costumes on mannequins while the munchkins signed autographs! My collection took on a life of its own and offered some great opportunities.
A couple of years ago an elderly friend of mine passed away. She left me her belongings, which included many lovely porcelain pieces she used in her home decor.
So, I certainly understand what it means to have a passion for collecting. Whether it is a hobby or a hand-me-down, there is a certain emotional attachment that cannot be denied. And why should we?
The key is how to display and live with our collections.
Now the Garland pieces had to be preserved properly in garment boxes, so I couldn’t enjoy them on a daily basis. Instead, I had some Garland movie posters framed and used those in my home decor at one time. I liked the vintage theme it gave my living room.
My friends’ porcelain pieces do not fit in my more contemporary decor.
I purchased a curio cabinet and placed it into a hall that had no personality. I placed my friend’s pieces in the cabinet, along with her perfume bottle, and when I leave the door slightly ajar, I have such great memories of my sweet friend emanating from the cabinet.
As I work with a client and try to find a way to use their collections, I walk through their home.
I sometimes try to find a secondary space, such as a niche, a hallway or an office. These types of areas can sometimes use a little more personality.
In grouping collections, whether the items sit on the shelf, or hang on the wall, the impact becomes much stronger. Most collections are of small scale and get a little busy if strewn about a room.
Some items can be framed so that they may be hung on a wall. Maybe a shadow box frame if the items can’t be shelved properly.
Most collections have small details or words, should it include a trophy or award. You want to display these items so that you and your guests can read the small print.
Group your collections in such a way that creates dimension and tells a story. Create interest and place the items in a way that draws your eye into the space they reside. Maybe add wall shelves or corbels to hold pieces as opposed to just sitting them on a counter.
Again, grouping a variety of similar themed items gives great dimension and pop. Let your collections make a larger statement and create a theme in a room.
