Nicole Asked....

How do I display my collections?

Good question!  I must admit, I don't collect many things because I love so much.  I collect vintage Christmas ornaments and that's easy, they're out for the season and then packed away. I also collect vintage china although it's still a small collection.  My advice would be to really, really think about what you want to collect.   A properly curated collection takes time, money, space in your home and time to research.  Whatever you collect should be meaningful or you will lose interest and visually pleasing or you won't want to display it.  The exception of course are items such as my son's rock collection, a postcard collection or passport stamps.  (More on kids collectibles later).  All of these items are virtually free and storage isn't a problem. 

picture courtesy of www.weburbanist.com

picture courtesy of www.designpad.com

picture courtesy of Hour Magazine

I love the way a collection looks grouped all together whether on a bookshelf,  wall or a table.  I'm not big on things spread out over every available surface.  When displayed together, a massive collection can be dynamite such as above.  This collection is from a cardiologist that collects "hearts".  I love that!

If you collect little things such as shells, rock glass, sand from different beaches etc put them all in big glass jars and display side by side on a shelf or tray with a mini notebook, travel postcards and dates of your trip.

If your collection is large and hard to display, consider grouping it into a spring/summer and fall/winter mini collection.  Shelf half the collection so it doesn't become overwhelming yet you can still enjoy all of it.  Bringing out the next set will give you something to look forward to when the seasons change.

Books are a wonderful thing to collect and they look wonderful either on a bookshelf or stacked up next to the sofa or on a nightstand.  In this case abundance is a bonus and they can work anywhere.  Books look best when you take off the jacket.

My husband is hoping to start a collection of animal mounts.  Ugh!  Thank God he only has one and it's currently in his closet storing his collection of ties!!!  Win Win!