I have always been a collector. In high school I started with antique tea cups and saucers and I haven't stopped collecting since. My current loves are vintage white pitchers, milk bottles and silver serving pieces. One thing I have learned over the years is that in order to avoid having collected items look like clutter, there are some things to keep in mind.
1. Collect only what you love. Don't worry about value when you are starting a collection. Instead, think of what speaks to you, items that represent a passion in your life or that connect you with special memories.
2. Group your collection together. Displaying everything in one place gives the collection more presence.
3. Make it unexpected, either by what you collect or by how you display it. Get creative and have fun; ordinary items look fantastic when grouped together. Why not collect arrows or designer shopping bags when they can look this stylish?
4. Be selective, be patient. Not matter what you collect, be picky. Depending on what you collect, when buying a new piece take into account the shape, colour, proportions and quality to see if it will compliment what you already have. Take your time and be patient, the best collections are built over time, with each piece telling a story.
So tell me, are you a collector?
photo credits: me, benjamin moore, the happy haven, a touch of vintage, BHG, leaping gazelle, apartment therapy, design darling, hilda grahnat
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