BEST IN SHOW How best to display your most treasured collections
COLLECTIONS OF ART, CERAMICS, BOOKS AND TREASURED PIECES ARE THE ESSENCE OF STORYTELLING DECORATING – HERE’S HOW TO DO IT SUCCESSFULLY
WALL OF CHINA
Displays of antique china have long been a popular way of showing off a treasured collection – and it’s far more enjoyable than keeping it shut away in a cupboard. Traditionally, plates might be organised in rows on a kitchen dresser but for a more updated and contemporary look, hang individual ones in a gallery style. To do this you’ll need to fix a D-ring onto the flattest part of the back of each plate with a tiny dot of superglue, then let it dry for 24 hours before hanging. A grouping of blue and white plates in different sizes makes for an attractive arrangement. →
“IT’S IMPORTANT TO PLAY WITH SCALE WHEN DISPLAYING A COLLECTION. VARYING THE SIZES HELPS TO EMPHASISE EACH ITEM AND THE SHADOWS CREATED BECOME VERY INTERESTING” HENRIETTE VON STOCKHAUSEN, co-founder, VSP Interiors, vspinteriors.com
PAINTERLY PALETTE
Don’t be afraid to let the artwork lead when it comes to choosing a colour palette for a scheme. Here, Daniel Slowik and Emma Burns of Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler have carried the colours from the wall art into the upholstery of the furniture.
NICHE INTEREST
For a unique collection of favourite things, it’s worth going that much further to find a special place or way to show them off. Decorator Lucinda Sanford carved individual alcoves in this living space for each of these sculptural pieces.
CABINET OF CURIOSITIES
Punctuate a busy decorative scheme with a quieter piece of furniture to create a calming effect on the eyes, such as this glazed display cabinet filled with a fine collection of elegant antique creamware.
A dense hang can have a powerful impact even in a room where there are lots of other prints, colours and patterns talking. Unless living in a time bubble, any home’s collection will inevitably feature a combination of old and new pieces – and experts say that hanging contemporary pieces next to traditional ones is wonderfully refreshing as long as you treat both parties with dignity. Here, the Singapore-based decorator Elizabeth Hay has blended art and antiques gathered on her travels and delicately played with the scale for visual impact. →
EXTRA CARE
Where a vibrant fabric design risks overpowering artwork, take note from this Kit Kemp-designed space and play with proportions. Placing similar pieces within wall panels like this creates a double-frame effect to ensure all eyes are on the art.
MASTER IN MONOCHROME
Where the endgame isn’t to make one drawing dominate over the rest, use a warm background colour, such as this caramel tone on the walls, and have the pieces uniformly framed like in this decorated home by Paolo Moschino.
SHELF LIFE
A well-curated collection can tell an interesting tale. Gather together favourite ornaments in small groups and display them on dedicated shelves for a powerful effect. Mixing up mediums, from objets to vases, creates a dynamic and unique look.
“FOR ME, CHOOSING ARTWORK IS MORE ABOUT THE OVERALL FEELING THAT I WANT THE SPACE
TO EVOKE AND LESS ABOUT COMPLEMENTING SPECIFIC COLOURS OF THE
PAINT OR UPHOLSTERY”
CHARU GANDHI, founder, Elicyon, elicyon.com