Whether you have a bookshelf, fireplace mantle or little ledge, displaying your collections can be a challenge. And if you’re anything like me, you change things up, rearrange and re-do more than once a year! Follow a few simple rules and you can create beautiful displays in your home.
Look at the shelf as a blank canvas. You’re the artist and you can “paint” anything you want.
- A great display takes into consideration scale, height and balance.
- Odd numbers always look better than even numbers. Gather 3, 5 or 7 similar things.
These little majolica vases have the same dark red glaze. I already had the two decorated ones when I found the small one at Goodwill.
- A variety of heights makes a more interesting display. Use props to create different elevations. I love little wood boxes just for this purpose.
Books are also great props.
- Contrast and Repetition. These books are similar in size, but each has a different binding and color. In fact, with the expectation of one, they are all Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (can you guess what my favorite book is?)
- Consider line when making a display. Incorporating horizontal and vertical, straight and curvy lines keep the eye moving.
- Think texture. The vases are high gloss ceramic, the box has an earthy, rough hew and the books are a combination old and new.
Continue to rearrange until you get a display that is interesting and pleasing. When you need a change, do it over again!
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