Collecting

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Collecting

A collection is what you have when you have acquired more than 2 of something. When we were little girls we all had a collection of something, whether it was dolls, Little House On The Prairie books, or even Avon pins, you know the ones that opened up and had the cream perfume inside. As adults, we appreciate the visual balance of having things in groupings of three or odd numbers, thus the perfect setting for a collection. While I myself grew out of my unicorn collection many years ago, I did keep the more valuable and sentimental figurines and do display them en mass. I have found there are still items that I am attracted to and will acquire when given the opportunity to do so (anything but unicorns!).

As an avid reader, books, old and otherwise speak to me, so of course I have accumulated a collection of books. Our local library here in Carstairs has a shelf of books that can be purchased for $.10 a piece. Yes, I am always excited to go to the library and see what's new on that shelf. I have a friend who has decorated her home with a country/ranch theme, and I have started her a collection of books on horses, all purchased at the library. Some of them are old (1940's) some are not so old (1970's) what they have in common is that they all have the word Horse in the title and therefore look particularly attractive stacked together on her coffee table. I have a stack of books on a tiny table in my bathroom all on the subject and with the word Garden in the titles. I have, on my front hall table, created a bird theme vignette, in addition to a bird's nest (complete with faux eggs, purchased from Pier One) and other bird themed oddities, I have some books placed there with, you guessed it, the names of birds in the titles. Books can be used on occasional tables to add height and therefore visual interest to a vignette, associating the titles of the books to the objects in the vignette is an added touch of style. For example, the main bathroom in my home has been done is an "old world" garden theme, and on a little wooden stool by my bathtub is a stack of books all with the word garden in the title. Atop the books I placed a garden lantern, wrought iron with a verdigris finish, in the shape of a goldfish.

If you do have a collection of books, and would like to display them on a bookshelf, try to avoid the obvious and stack them in various positions, some laying, some standing and some leaning. Try to leave spaces for other objects of interest, possibly associated items to the titles of books they are placed near, or perhaps utilize the space for a collection.

A collection of pottery bowls has been displayed quite effectively along a shelf in this kitchen. They are for the most part, in keeping with the rooms overall color scheme. Installing the shelf so close to the ceiling has added height to the room by drawing the eye upward. Note also that the chairs have been painted to match some of the bowls and no longer match the table. The table has been anchored in the room by staining the base the same color as the hardwood floor. Great attention to detail!

But alas, Books are not the only objects that appeal to me, I also have a great attraction to things that are round; glass buoys, candles, round sculpture, an Ivy topiary, etc. These I have placed altogether on an antique trunk in my front room, the vignette I've created there never fails to please "the pants off" me when I go to that room to read or visit. So, buy what you love, and if you find there is a theme to what you are bringing home, don't resist collecting, create vignettes wherever you can and display your beloved things in a way that pleases you, and you'll be happy.

My husband has, over the years accumulated an extensive collection of sports memorabilia and the like. I find his collection particularly challenging from a design perspective. He is not willing to part with a thing and his collection ranges from a set of seats purchased when the Montreal Hockey Stadium was torn down to pictures of himself receiving an autograph from his Hockey hero, Mike Bossy, of the New York Islanders. If I had my way my husband's collection would remain in a box, but he lives here to so I must find a way to incorporate it into the decor somewhere in our home. I am working on it, as I write really.

A collection can be:

Hung on the wall

Displayed in a case

Displayed throughout a room to create a theme

Sentimental

Bizarre

An investment

Of little monetary value

Collections of items obtained from around the world have, since ancient times, been popular as a token of success. I mean if you can afford to travel you must be successful right? I like collections acquired in travel for the pure conversation opportunities. I have a friend who collects unusual rocks. I don't think any of them have been found across any more than a provincial border but they are intriguing in that when you ask about a particular rock, there is an interesting story behind why it was chosen and where it came from and even about the trip itself. Of course the interest of any story lies mainly in the ability of the teller so if you're not a good story teller you may consider collecting for a different reason.

Having and arranging a collection of throw pillows is a great way to add character to a room and create a comfortable, stylish look. Collect pillows of varying textures, shapes sizes and colors. Toss a pile of them on the floor in an empty corner, group them on a couch or settee, or even stack several together and tie with a tasseled silk rope. A large, overstuffed pillow can turn even the hardest surface into a comfortable seat. They can be moved from room to room to create fresh looks wherever you choose. The Barefoot Robin considers them to be the most high impact accessory for any room. That's why we carry a great collection of them for purchase!


	The Barefoot Robin \| home First Impressions \| Creating An Exquisite Room \| Houseplants \| Feng Shui \| The Conversation Room \| Collecting \| The Family Room \| On Bathrooms \| Where We Eat \| A Day In The Country! \| In Bedrooms \| Hostess Rewards \| Contact Us \| About Style \| Other Great Sites \| Products \| Feather Your Nest - Our Monthly Newsletter \| Services Collecting A collection is what you have when you have acquired more than 2 of something. When we were little girls we all had a collection of something, whether it was dolls, Little House On The Prairie books, or even Avon pins, you know the ones that opened up and had the cream perfume inside. As adults, we appreciate the visual balance of having things in groupings of three or odd numbers, thus the perfect setting for a collection. While I myself grew out of my unicorn collection many years ago, I did keep the more valuable and sentimental figurines and do display them en mass. I have found there are still items that I am attracted to and will acquire when given the opportunity to do so (anything but unicorns!). As an avid reader, books, old and otherwise speak to me, so of course I have accumulated a collection of books. Our local library here in Carstairs has a shelf of books that can be purchased for $.10 a piece. Yes, I am always excited to go to the library and see what's new on that shelf. I have a friend who has decorated her home with a country/ranch theme, and I have started her a collection of books on horses, all purchased at the library. Some of them are old (1940's) some are not so old (1970's) what they have in common is that they all have the word Horse in the title and therefore look particularly attractive stacked together on her coffee table. I have a stack of books on a tiny table in my bathroom all on the subject and with the word Garden in the titles. I have, on my front hall table, created a bird theme vignette, in addition to a bird's nest (complete with faux eggs, purchased from Pier One) and other bird themed oddities, I have some books placed there with, you guessed it, the names of birds in the titles. Books can be used on occasional tables to add height and therefore visual interest to a vignette, associating the titles of the books to the objects in the vignette is an added touch of style. For example, the main bathroom in my home has been done is an "old world" garden theme, and on a little wooden stool by my bathtub is a stack of books all with the word garden in the title. Atop the books I placed a garden lantern, wrought iron with a verdigris finish, in the shape of a goldfish. If you do have a collection of books, and would like to display them on a bookshelf, try to avoid the obvious and stack them in various positions, some laying, some standing and some leaning. Try to leave spaces for other objects of interest, possibly associated items to the titles of books they are placed near, or perhaps utilize the space for a collection. A collection of pottery bowls has been displayed quite effectively along a shelf in this kitchen. They are for the most part, in keeping with the rooms overall color scheme. Installing the shelf so close to the ceiling has added height to the room by drawing the eye upward. Note also that the chairs have been painted to match some of the bowls and no longer match the table. The table has been anchored in the room by staining the base the same color as the hardwood floor. Great attention to detail! But alas, Books are not the only objects that appeal to me, I also have a great attraction to things that are round; glass buoys, candles, round sculpture, an Ivy topiary, etc. These I have placed altogether on an antique trunk in my front room, the vignette I've created there never fails to please "the pants off" me when I go to that room to read or visit. So, buy what you love, and if you find there is a theme to what you are bringing home, don't resist collecting, create vignettes wherever you can and display your beloved things in a way that pleases you, and you'll be happy. My husband has, over the years accumulated an extensive collection of sports memorabilia and the like. I find his collection particularly challenging from a design perspective. He is not willing to part with a thing and his collection ranges from a set of seats purchased when the Montreal Hockey Stadium was torn down to pictures of himself receiving an autograph from his Hockey hero, Mike Bossy, of the New York Islanders. If I had my way my husband's collection would remain in a box, but he lives here to so I must find a way to incorporate it into the decor somewhere in our home. I am working on it, as I write really. A collection can be: Hung on the wall Displayed in a case Displayed throughout a room to create a theme Sentimental Bizarre An investment Of little monetary value Collections of items obtained from around the world have, since ancient times, been popular as a token of success. I mean if you can afford to travel you must be successful right? I like collections acquired in travel for the pure conversation opportunities. I have a friend who collects unusual rocks. I don't think any of them have been found across any more than a provincial border but they are intriguing in that when you ask about a particular rock, there is an interesting story behind why it was chosen and where it came from and even about the trip itself. Of course the interest of any story lies mainly in the ability of the teller so if you're not a good story teller you may consider collecting for a different reason. Having and arranging a collection of throw pillows is a great way to add character to a room and create a comfortable, stylish look. Collect pillows of varying textures, shapes sizes and colors. Toss a pile of them on the floor in an empty corner, group them on a couch or settee, or even stack several together and tie with a tasseled silk rope. A large, overstuffed pillow can turn even the hardest surface into a comfortable seat. They can be moved from room to room to create fresh looks wherever you choose. The Barefoot Robin considers them to be the most high impact accessory for any room. That's why we carry a great collection of them for purchase! Copyright © 2001 Robin Popowich