The art of displaying collectibles

I recently spent a week in Tennessee as a guest at my friend Christy's home.  Christy is an avid and knowledgeable collector of the most interesting objets d'art and her home, which she shares with her husband, Miguel, is artfully curated with the many vintage finds she's spotted on her excursions to estate sales and antique markets. Vintage jewelry and purses, vases and ceramics, art and old photographs - Christy has rich yet modest collections of them all.

Some collectors squirrel away their items out of sight. Others love to collect but lack the impulse or energy to organize and arrange their collections and instead they become clutter on a shelf.

Christy organizes and thoughtfully arranges her collections in ways that inject her home with personality, emotions and stories.

I love how Christy arranged pairs of items to form a small group on her mantel. None of the pieces are necessarily related to the other, yet suddenly they are. I love the repetition of pairs. Look in the mirror and see another pair of objects reflected. 

Some items are gathered together in big groupings. Others stand alone or in smaller groups.

The most interesting description I read about the impact curated collectibles have in a room is that it creates motion in stillness. As if the pieces are socializing with each other and with the room itself.

Makes me think about Disney movies and talking candlesticks, teapots and brooms!

Thanks Christy, for sharing your wonderful home and for allowing me to photograph your unique collection of treasures.