Collections of every object hung like gallery pieces prove that home is where the art is. Blank isn’t beautiful. But you can add pizzaz to bare walls without spending big bucks. All you need are pieces full of personality rather than pedigree- in other words, anything from vintage cheese grater to plastic plates.
Here are some tips on displaying favorite collections. Let the room dictate the theme. For example, try a grouping of silver-plated hand mirrors in a powder room. For a rustic family hangout, think wooden snowshoes. Go for strong shapes or bold colors. Don’t worry if a particular piece is a little chipped- the impact comes from the whole effect, not the individual parts. Be prepared to tinker with the placement. Trace your collection onto Kraft paper. Cut out each pieces of paper to create templates, and then position them on the wall with masking tape. Move the templates around until you hit on a really eye-catching arrangement.