Plants add warmth and hominess. A live or silk plant is always a great addition for color and atmosphere. Vary texture: If you have several pices of shiny glass, add a basket or something made of fabric.

Lighting is as important as the items you’re displaying. A table lamp with a three way bulb can add the sparkle you want.

A tray can be a tabletop, too, and
you would arrange it the same. It’s
actually a frame of sorts. The
benefit is, it’s portable.

Remember that what you set on a
coffee table must be able to
withstand admirers and everyday traffic.

Change displays as often as you like, seasonally, or as the whim strikes. You can move the things you love from room to room to create variety. It’s always a good idea to pack away collections you’re not displaying and then bring them out another time. They’ll be new all over again, and you won’t get tired of them. Keep a collection flexible by changing out part and rearranging.

MIRRORS & LIGHTING

Use mirrors. Place them flat and set items on top or hang them and reflect your room or your collection. Glass and bottles are best displayed in front of a window or with backlighting. Consider rope lights above or below shelves for effect.

Some collections are kept hidden away. Jewelry, watches, coins. If you want to take your jewelry out of the drawer it can be displayed as curtain tiebacks or in a glass dish.

If you collect something valuable and want to make sure you’re buying the real deal when you’re at a fleamarket, study up. Buying guides, websites and books will help you know your stuff.

Not everything has to be perfect. If you love it, it’s beautiful. Chips and dings can add character. Mismatched teacups or plates are delightful additions to a shelf.

If you love a particular textile or texture, you can purchase imperfect pieces and use them as mats for frames, throw pillows, tiebacks.

BOOKSHELVES

Remove the paper jackets and group hardbacks according to color and size.

A hodgepodge is confusing to the eye, where blocks of color and size keep the eye focused.

Paperbacks are less attractive and should be kept in another room or discreetly hidden in baskets.

This rule about paperbacks doesn't apply in an office or area where your books are for research. Now that teetering pile beside your bed? You need to decide whether or not you can live with it even though it's unattractive. Me? I live with it.

SHELVES
 
Group items according to
light or dark.

Use horizontal stacks as well
as vertical rows of books.

Create a focal point for each shelf by grouping like objects. The bigger the object, the more impact. Too many small items create clutter.

Display small items in separate display boxes, shadow boxes or frames.

Use containers like baskets or glass bowls to hold things like buttons, marbles, matchbooks.

To arrange shelves, start with the biggest heaviest objects to anchor the spacer.

Add height and color. Finish with filler, smaller items to bridge gaps. Stacks of bowls or books are one item. Use interesting shapes.

Keep items from the same collection of theme together.

If you display photos in frames, confine them to one shelf to avoid clutter. The observer’s focus needs to fix on one group or shelf at a time, and not be drawn a dozen directions at once.

Turn things the same way and unify them by silhouette, for example teapots with spouts, pitchers and cups with handles

CARE
Learn how to care for things like vintage linens, wood, glass & ceramics, brass, copper and silver, because moth and rust will destroy our earthly treasures.

If you like to collect marbles, shells, twigs etc find creative uses for them by trimming lampshades, picture frames, making wreathes or filling clear glass lamp bases.

Many collectables are useful, for example: pots & planters, dishes, linens & silverware.

CHRISTMAS

Nearly everyone collects something
for Christmas, from snowmen, Santas
and angels to glass tree toppers and
Shiny Brite ornaments, there’s
something for everyone at Christmas
time. It’s a good idea to store like
items or combinations together for
easy retrieval and use. It’s fun to
display a Christmas themed collection year round, if it suits you.

FLEAMARKET & GARAGE SALE TIPS

So much stuff can be overwhelming. Make one quick sweep to skim, then start over and spend time looking over the things you collect. Just seeing booths at an antique mall with give you ideas on how to display. Ask questions about the items and always ask for their best price. It’s usually 10% off, so don’t insult them by asking them to take less.

Garage sales don’t adhere to that rule. If they want to get rid of their junk, they’ll go lower.