Design Inspiration: The Collection, Part 2

2013 Grand Baroque Christmas Cross

my own Christmas tree

In September,  I did a post on organizing a collection of like items as a way of styling and creating a bigger design impact. Well - here comes Part 2 and it relates to decorating for the Holidays.  

This time of year, many people have special collections that become part of their decorating.  I have seen Santa Clauses, nutcrackers, Christmas villages and ornaments…. I have a collection of  Wallace Sterling Grande Baroque Christmas Crosses.  I mentioned in my earlier post that through the process of collecting, you are better able to tell the story about why these items are so special and this post is making that case exactly.  

In 1996, Wallace Silversmiths made their first ever Grande Baroque Cross.  In November of 1996, my husband and I were married and Grande Baroque was our sterling pattern.  We graciously received one as a gift and at the time did not realize it would become a collection.  We now have all 18.

As you can see above, they look beautiful on the Christmas Tree but it does not allow me to showcase the collection aspect.  Through the years I have looked for more creative ways of arranging smaller groupings. (18 pieces is a lot of pieces to "collect" in one place!)

For the past few years I have made a display in one of the kitchen windows.  I really like it.  It is simple but I think makes a nice statement.  

(FAB blue & white jar from THE PINK PAGODA!)

Do you have a special collection for the holidays?

                                                     xx,

DESIGN INSPIRATIONS: THE COLLECTION

Photography for Tiffany Jones Interiors

Photography for Tiffany Jones Interiors

Photography for Tiffany Jones Interiors

Source: via Pinterest

Source: Scully and Scully, NYC

Source: Carolyn Roehm, A Passion for Blue & White

Collections... They are one of my favorite things to use when styling my own home or the home of a client.  It is usually made up of something that would be a beautiful item on its own but when put together with other like items can really make a more impactful statement.  Collections can come from a wide range of items...books, boxes, shells, pictures, paper weights, art, tea pots, plates, figurines, blue and white porcelain...the list is endless.   Really, it is about what items are special to you and through the process of collecting, it allows you to tell the special story around each one.

For years, I have collected boxes.  I adore silver boxes and Limoges boxes, wooden boxes, tortoise shell boxes.  Large boxes, small boxes. ( I have even been know to collect shoe boxes!)   I have been collecting them since I was in college and it is such fun to have something special to "hunt" for when I travel.   

My mother collects tea pots, my husband collects cuff links, my sister collects Herend figurines, and my mother-in-law collects cookbooks.   Is there something special you collect?  I would love to hear about it!

Happy Monday!