Corralling Collectables

Philip Gorrivan

So often, the first thing I do when redoing a client's home is to gather all the collectables they have amassed and scattered about the house into some kind of a cohesive grouping.  It's so simple, yet it is often not a common practice.  The impact is immediate!  Talk about instant drama!

Dan Carithers via Heirloom Philosophy

Several collections can cohabitate nicely if scale, balance, and restraint are practiced.  Dorothy Draper said, "Repetition is a form of emphasis."  I concur.

via Realsimple

via Inspire bohemia

Collections are interesting things.  They are intimate glimpses into who each of us is.  They speak to what we prize or find interesting, what we are reflecting about ourselves to others.

Using different planes really gives an added punch.  Don't just think in terms of the horizontal surfaces, hang things on the walls in creative ways, wrap them around corners. I once saw a collection of vintage mirrors arranged on a ceiling and it looked great.  Incorporating lighting to highlight the collection gives added visual appeal.

Carolyn Roehm

Even if you are not using like objects, color in this case, is the unifying factor.  Nothing suffers as the  disparate objects all have the bond of malachite ~ it's never black and white; color unifies too!

Kelly Wearstler

via House of Turquoise

It doesn't matter how unusual the collection is.  As long as it is displayed en masse, it works!

via Homelook

Vicente Wolf

Beware, however ~ collect with caution.  The minute your friends get wind of a collection, you can expect that cow milk pitcher, porcelain pig, or other tchotchke for your next hostess gift.  Everything in moderation, and keep it together man!