Safety in Numbers

Once you catch the collecting bug, it is nearly impossible to resist searching for the next prize to add to your growing treasury. Equally challenging is learning how to display your pieces to avoid a cluttered look. Here are some helpful tips for showcasing collectibles in just-right groupings, as seen in Leasa and Eric Kistler’s Indiana home:

Illuminate your finds.

Backdrop translucent treasures with a window. Arrange glassware on a windowsill so sunlight can pass through and create a kaleidoscope of color.

Make a happy marriage.

Combine or marry separate furniture pieces to create unique vertical showcases for vintage finds. For example, place a cupboard on top of a desk, or mount a series of shelves above a bureau.

Stack in odd numbers.

If you collect tool chests, suitcases, footstools or other small items, try stacking one on top of the other against the wall or on a larger piece of furniture. This gives the furnishings a sculptural feel and heightens their visual interest—literally.

Look for ladders.

The rungs of wood ladders are perfect for hosting linens, costume jewelry, or framed photographs suspended on ribbon or jute hangers. Similarly, a shelf with a row of pegs can handily display dried herbs or wreaths.

Buy furniture with open shelving.

Antique cupboards and corner cabinets were designed for storage and can be used in any room of your home, from the kitchen to the bathrooms and bedrooms. Pick furniture bearing a stain or paint that complements your collections; you can also refinish a piece to accentuate your finds.

To view a video with more creative collectibles display ideas, visit www.youtube.com/CountrySamplerMag.