Ask the Designers: Collections
August 2024
Your home is a reflection of your personality, and nothing showcases your unique taste better than a beautifully curated collection of your favorite decorative items. Whether it's a collection of vintage artifacts, cherished travel souvenirs, or a selection of stunning art pieces, displaying these treasures can elevate the design of any space. To help get you started, we asked our expert designers for some tips on how to artfully display your collections and decorative items. From choosing the right display furniture to arranging your pieces in a way that captures attention and compliments your home's aesthetic, these insights will help you create a visually captivating environment that truly feels like your own.
Question: What are some of your favorite ways and tips to display collections and curios?
Designer:
Gabberts Interior Designer
Lisa encourages a fun, collaborative process to create beautiful design solutions her clients will enjoy for years to come. She focuses on serving their needs by finding solutions that exemplify their individuality and lifestyle.
Answer:
A collection is first and foremost a personal story, making it your choice how you want to experience your items. Smaller pieces have more impact when displayed together in one room, while larger collections are better spread throughout the home. To create a cohesive display, let a few of the most special items take the spotlight and build around them. Your eye should move easily from these feature items to the rest of the pieces. Since not everything can be the focus, arranging items to create a sense of rhythm in the space is ideal, ensuring a harmonious and visually appealing display.
Designer:
Cindy Erdall
Gabberts Interior Designer
Cindy feels the most important part of the design process is establishing a sound foundation from the beginning. She listens to her clients to reflect their personalities and lifestyle.
Answer:
Displaying collections and curios in your home begins with thoughtfully choosing how to present these personal stories. A display case for collectibles, open bookshelves, or wall-mounted shelves, crafted from mixed elements like wood and metal, offer a versatile way to showcase your favorite photography, travel photos, and accessories like stacked boxes. Incorporating organic elements, such as potted plants, adds a touch of greenery and natural beauty, enhancing the overall aesthetic. By creating a harmonious arrangement where special items take the spotlight and other pieces build around them, you ensure that each element contributes to a cohesive and visually appealing display.
Designer:
Gabberts Interior Designer
Karena is a supportive, energetic, positive and creative designer with a discerning eye for the elements and principles of interior design. Karena is known for her attention to detail, grounding energy, and passion for design.
Answer:
Elevating your home's design with curated collections and curios involves strategic display methods. Utilize curated shelving options like floating shelves, bookcases, or display cabinets to showcase your treasures. Arrange items thoughtfully, grouping similar pieces or creating thematic vignettes, and play with heights, shapes, and textures for visual intrigue. Maintain balance, whether symmetrical or asymmetrical, for a harmonious arrangement. Alternatively, craft a captivating gallery wall by mixing and matching frames of different sizes and finishes to exhibit artwork, photographs, or flat items. Invest in glass-fronted display cabinets or open shelving units to protect delicate collections while adding a touch of sophistication, and highlight them with interior lighting for a dramatic effect. For smaller or fragile items, consider shadow boxes or display cases, arranging them with care to add depth and dimension to your display.
With insights from our featured designers, transforming your space into a showcase for your cherished collections and favorite decorative items is within reach. By implementing their expert tips, from utilizing curated shelving and crafting gallery walls to investing in display cabinets and shadow boxes, you can elevate the design of your home while showcasing your unique style and personality. Whether it's creating thematic scenes, playing with textures and balance, or simply letting your treasures take center stage, these strategies ensure that your collections are not only beautifully displayed but also seamlessly integrated into your home's aesthetic. Get ready to infuse your space with character, charm, and a touch of your own personal flair.
