Piece de Resistance: Display Your Collection As Art

The piece de resistance I am focusing on this week is not just a piece, but pieces.

You can think about decorating in layers.  First you have the architectural elements and anything built-in to the house (bookshelves, cabinets, hard flooring) or that can’t be moved (like paint).  Then, you add rugs, lighting and major furniture pieces. And, on top of that you add accessories like art, pillows and personal mementos.  It’s this final layer that really changes a house into a home. These items, specifically the art and mementos, should be a reflection of your personality and taste.  And will most likely bring you the most joy in your home.

I love the collection of blue and white pieces scattered throughout the living space in the Room of the Week(and the entire home).  They connect the spaces together, show the owner’s personality,and are the final layer of decorating that really finishes this space.

You can display collections in thousands of ways, and a really thoughtful display is like an original piece of art.

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Several years ago I regrettably passed up the opportunity to purchase a gigantic (think 4 feet by 4 feet) framed collection of seashells a man had collected from beaches all over the world as a way to heal after the passing of his daughter.  He was selling the collection which he had framed,  at a yard sale,  as a way of moving past his grief.  And since he was taking offers, I assumed it was WAY out of my price range and didn’t even try.  But, I decided to take the seashells that I had collected with my own children and make a little mini collection…though it’s not as large as my inspiration, it brings me a lot of joy. It was too hard to photograph in it’s current location (the bathroom.ha!) so I propped it up in my kitchen for the photo.

So, think about what you’ve gathered, or are gathering, or would like to gather and then figure out how to display it in your home.  I promise it will make you happier to see it on display every day, than to keep it wrapped up in a box.