Want to make the most of what you love? Keep the backgrounds
simple and non-competing. The collections here stand out
against the simplest of all backgrounds-flat-white walls and
woodwork and glossy painted white floors. (Natural or pickled
wood floors or neutral wall-to-wall carpet or sisal would work
well, too.) When you decorate with collections and art, keep
pattern and fabric to a minimum. Instead of fussy curtains or
patterned draperies, consider the simple style of shutters,
shades, or sheers. Lighting fixtures are supporting players.
Recessed lighting and simple lamps are alternatives to
chandeliers.
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Choose one object with a strong, easy-to-read shape as your
focal point. The large pitchers, the trade-sign apple, and the
cow silhouette fill the bill.
Focus the grouping by centering the collectibles you want
to spotlight. Shelves effectively organize a number of
objects. Leave plenty of breathing room so your treasures
aren't crowded by supporting players
Group objects of similar visual weight and feel. Duplicate
objects, such as the ceramic pumpkins and majolica pitchers,
illustrate the familiar visual strength of arranging with
strict symmetry.
For creating a pleasing tabletop arrangement, group rather
than scatter. Even with carefully edited objects, employ the
principle of overlapping triangles. Limit the number of like
objects for a clean look.
Use a mix of textures, rather than a number of slick or
polished objects, for a warm, friendly feel.
Treat folk art as contemporary art. Hang large pieces alone
rather than as part of a busy grouping.
If you are a collector, you look for places to display your
finds. Your mission is to organize and arrange your treasures
for impact and enjoyment. But, even if you aren't seriously
committed to pursuing a particular passion, you probably have
the beginning of a collection that will add personality to
your rooms. Walk around your home and look through cabinets,
cupboards, and stored-away boxes (and even your children's
rooms).
Give a drop-leaf table a new purpose as a fashionable
demilune (half-round) table. This space-saver provides an
interesting shape for a tabletop. Keep the look simple with a
framed mirror. (If the mirror is large enough, lean rather
than hang it.)
It's fun to get a theme going. Here the star-motif picture
frame repeats as the decorative papier-mache star.
Designer Tip. Vary heights. Note the stand for the vase
here, the small photograph on an easel, and the displayed
books. But don't obscure elements. Notice how the tall
candlestick is placed to the side.
Using what you have, fill in with flea-market and thrift-store
pieces or reproductions. And see what fun it is to incorporate
collections and memorabilia into your decorating. For easy
organization and a focal point, think of your display space as
a table or chest top and the wall above. The tabletop anchors
the arrangement, creating visual strength. As a quick start,
choose one major element, such as a print, pair of prints, or
mirror, and work out from there. This avoids the distraction
of a collection of only small objects.
Designer Tip. To group such disparate elements as
the wall arrangement, work out your placement first on the
floor. Measure the space you have to work with and mark off
the same area on your floor with a tape measure so you have an
accurately sized surface.
Use an erasable pencil and tape measure or straightedge to
mark where to hang your largest elements. Take into account
the top of your table arrangement. Hang the center elements
first, working bottom to top to see how the grouping looks.
Vary shapes, sizes, and frames for interest. The
bulls-eye-style gift mirror becomes important with the prints
around it. When you flank a mirror with prints, match the
style and framing for pleasing continuity.
Stick to one type of collection. The majolica-stylegreen
plates have more punch than a mix of styles and patterns.
Plate hangers, available in small to platter sizes, make
display safe and easy.
Add snapshots or photographs, but don't over do. Two or three
have more impact than a crammed tabletop.
