Most of us like collecting things, whether books, glass ware, coins or just stones of different shapes and sizes. We walk into a shop and buy something beautiful, bring it home but are at an absolute loss as to how to display it. In the shop there was space enough to do full justice to the ornament. At home the tendency is to plonk it anywhere and hope for the best.If one owns just a piece of two of exquisite glass, sculpture or even an unusually beautiful plant, then these can be displayed on a special table or a stand. A sculpture can stand at a focal point in the room, where the light falls on it, or it can even be spot lit. The same goes for a potted plant. Choose a place where it can be admired.
If you are a collector of memorabilia, then the collection needs to be so well-organised that it doesn't end up looking like a mere clutter. Remember grandmother's bric-a-brac stuffed into a glass case where nothing was visible? Assemble the objects by shape and colour or even texture. Before you begin,visualise the image beforehand. If you have a collection of etchings, prints or even botanical studies, then they can be displayed on a wall which is has the most obvious background. Choose a place where the light is good and to where the eye travels automatically when one enters the room. The pictures can be grouped according to colour tones, subject or even the shapes of the frames. If you have a good collection of family photographs, these can be hung up according to different eras. A collection of hand-painted China plates, antique or otherwise, looks good on a spot lit wall in the dining room. Think of the wall as a blank canvas and all the possibilities that it can be utilised for. Someone I know had a collection of realistic looking geckos, commonly known as house lizards, displayed on the wall as novelty items. Such things should be avoided at all costs! Table tops, a chest of drawers, an old wooden box are ideal for laying out a small collection of glassware, figurines, candles and shells. Two orthree pieces of modern pottery look well on a contemporary table. A collection of spice jars can add interest to a kitchen shelf. A collection of unusually-shaped stones that you might have picked up while travelling can be displayed in the garden verandah.
Expensive cut glass or figurines can be displayed in a glass-fronted cabinet lit from the inside. This way they won't collect dust. But nothing looks worse than too many little things placed close to each other - a few pieces create a good effect. Another interesting way is to place a few exquisite pieces on a polished table where the light catches them at an angle.
Bookshelves may be primarily meant for storing books, but they are great for displaying bone china, flowers, or even a collection of potted plants. A long window sill can be put to good use if some potted plants are placed on it. Small objects can be massed alongside books on shelves. Quaint things like keys and matchboxes can be put together in inexpensive woven baskets, placed near aseating arrangement. This is always a good conversation point and guests can take back an interesting memory of your home. A collection of embroidered or patchwork cushions can be gaily juxtaposed on a sofa.
If you are crazy about rugs, you can display your collection by grouping them on the floor, according to texture and colour. Whatever you display, always keep a lightness of touch and a sense of humour. An eye of an artist should be apparent in all that is displayed for people to admire.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
