Decorating With Collections

There’s something about a collection of thoughtfully arranged items that adds instant personality.  By definition, a collection is “a group of objects or works to be seen, studied, or kept together”. Typically, collections have a theme—a common thread—that ties the objects together.  The theme could be functional whereby all the collected objects have a similar purpose.  Here’s an example of a collection with a common function—this group of magnifying glasses adds fun and interest in the 2016 Southern Living Idea House.

The theme of a collection could also be based on form or color.   The below collections of blue transferware plates and violet glass cloches, spotted at Camp Boxwoods during a previous Madison in May Spring Tour of Homes, are great examples of objects with similar functions, forms and colors.  They are beautifully arranged above a china cabinet.

This simple collection of colored glass bottles—with a similar function and form—was displayed along a window ledge in the same room.  It’s a lovely vignette with the glass of the bottles playing off the glass of the window panes.
A collection of prints, all featuring cranes and local birds, was the focal point of the foyer in last year’s Southern Living Idea House.  Similar, but not identical, mattes and frames connect the prints and tie it all together.
In the same Idea House, the seating area of the living room featured several collections.  Anyone who loves to read will appreciate how the designer wove a significant collection of books into this setting.  Several outstanding pieces of blue and white pottery have been artfully incorporated into the space.  The grouping of pillows on the sofa could also be considered a small collection.

In this next example, a collection of pillows on a porch swing is tied together through a similar function and color.

Dorothy Draper is often credited with being the first professional interior designer.  In her heyday, back in the 1940s and 50s, she was the most famous decorator in the United States.  She had many prestigious decorating assignments including luxury hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, private homes and even airplanes. But what made her special, in my opinion, is she actively encouraged others to decorate their own homes.  She offered advice to the everyday homeowner in a monthly advice column in Good Housekeeping and she authored a book called Decorating Is Fun!: How to be Your Own Decorator.  Many of the decorating tips she shared are still relevant and meaningful today.  One of these tips was to decorate with your hobbies.  She wrote:  “Don’t sprinkle your collection out of sight in a meaningless jumble …  groups of small objects, when they are well-arranged, become important and effective.”
Someone who loves baking might, for instance, enjoy collecting wooden rolling pins.   In this collection, spotted at the 2012 Southern Living Idea House, the rolling pins are cleverly tucked into the shelf bracket of a set of kitchen shelves.

This small collection of vintage rubber stamps, spotted at the same Idea House, adds fun and interest to the home office.

This display of rustic bells demonstrates that collections can be displayed outdoors as well as indoors.  These bells, spotted during an Atlanta Garden Tour, add interest and personality to the yard.

Here a collection of vintage gardening tools is displayed on the exterior of a garden shed.  This dramatic display was spotted in Susanne Hudson’s garden during a Penny McHenry Hydrangea Festival garden tour.

There were a number of interesting collections spread throughout her garden.  Here a series of glass jars is used to display a gorgeous collection of seashells in the greenhouse.

It’s encouraging to note a successful collection doesn’t have to be expensive.  It can be a grouping of similar items gathered from nature and arranged in an interesting way.  Here a simple collection of feathers makes a stunning statement.

The below collection of interesting and vintage cabinet knobs, spotted during a Madison in May tour, demonstrates another factor to consider.  As the collector explained to me “My husband, an architect, said that the most insignificant object assumes importance if you have a lot of it.  Hence the springs, the buttons, the wood coat hangers, the yardsticks and rulers, the walking sticks…”  The house was packed with charming and delightful collections.

Here’s a collection of springs which was displayed under a glass-topped coffee table.  This is a great example of where an abundance of an insignificant object gives it importance.

Displaying a collection in a fun and interesting way is only part of the story.  For many collectors, the act of collecting—the hunt to find the perfect item—is the best part of the experience. There are as many sources for this hunt as there are types of collections.  It could be an antique market such as this one I visited in Tongeren, Belgium several years ago.  This was a vintage collector’s paradise!  There were metal dinner bells….
… wooden stamps…

… folding rulers and whole lot more.

Boutiques and gift shops may be another source for a collection.  Of course, artwork—whether purchased or DIY— is always a great item to collect and display.
I’ve been thinking about collections lately because I’m in the midst of designing a handmade collection for this wall in our entryway.  It’s only a collection of green paper rectangles taped to the wall at this point.  I realize it doesn’t look like much yet but it’s pretty amazing in my head!

More Info

You may also enjoy my post about Decorating with Texture.
Check out the posts, Madison in May – 15 Favorite Fotos and Ideas from the Idea House for more information and photos from the house and garden tours mentioned in this post.
You can learn more about the Southern Living Idea Houses, the Madison in May Tour of Homes, the Penny McHenry Hydrangea Festival, and the Tongeren Belgium Antique Market on the linked websites.

Today’s Takeaways

1.  “Groups of small objects, when they are well-arranged, become important and effective.”
2. “The most insignificant object assumes importance if you have a lot of it.”
3. A collection doesn’t have to be expensive to add personality and charm.