collections
Showcase a collection. It can be lovely to display and enjoy collections. If you like the pieces, use them rather than hide them away at the back of a cupboard. Display them on a dresser or open shelves so the items can be seen and your own pieces can be added. Embrace the fact that a collection is eclectic and that that’s what makes them special. They span decades and can be added to over the years.
Create something new. What do you do if you have Granny’s beautiful old scarf or embroidered tablecloth? If you won’t use it in its current form, there’s nothing sacrilegious about turning it into something like a pillow cover or quilt. It’s far better that it be used and loved — and then one day passed on to a new family member. Another option is to cover a lampshade. Search online for kits that contain lampshade frames, panels, adhesive and finishing tools, as well as instructions that will walk you through the process.
Make the most of scale. If you’ve inherited a large artwork, show it off by giving it a featured spot on a plain wall. Using a vivid wall color behind it will make it stand out. This painting could have looked quite formal on a neutral wall, but the bright teal behind gives it a contemporary twist. Be brave with your color choice and even pick out a hue that appears in the painting. These homeowners have added to the gallery effect by placing a wall light above the canvas.
Celebrate antique style. Antique oil paintings with rich, layered colors look stunning when paired with gray-blues and crisp whites. Here, the pale blue wall contrasts beautifully with the dark tones of the canvas. The red pillows pick up on the dark roses in the painting and tie together the modern bed and antique artwork. The smaller pieces sitting casually on the floor are a relaxed way to show off art. The room has an “undone” feel that’s stylish without trying too hard. Resting artwork on a floor, shelf or mantel can take away the formality of the piece and give it a modern look.
7. Put pretty pieces on display. Storing items in cabinets is the best way to keep them free of dust, but if you love to see your things on display, glass-fronted cabinets are the way to go — and can be a feature in themselves. Glass-fronted cabinets can be used in any room, whether you want to show off your best tableware in the kitchen, favorite clothing or shoes in a bedroom, or colorful craft items in a spare room. And having glass doors on bookshelves is a great way to reduce dusting chores.
10. Handkerchiefs. A framed collection of silk handkerchiefs enlivens the wall of this living room in Ibiza, Spain, and picks up the bright cobalt, turquoise and red of the rug. To get the scarves to lie flat, the interior designer used floating glass frames. One standout scarf framed or hung from a wooden poster hanger could also anchor the room.
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