Friday, February 5, 2010

Things we Collect.....

Home of Alex Papachristidis  Courtesy of New York Social Diary

We all have collections we enjoy....they represent travels, maybe milestones in life, gifts or personal indulgences.





It is how we decide to display them to the world that can reveal a little about our personalities.


Some collections can be displayed simply in utilitarian fashion.

House and Garden UK edition

They can be treated as art on a wall....



And then there are books....I have them everywhere!





..and I want MORE! Look at these "carved" books by artist Brian Dettmer.


So tedious, so tactile.....they are mini sculptures!




I love  odd, unusual examples of art...



How clever would you be with these on your shelves?... vellum......ummmmm.....bespoke vellum books..these actually create an elaborate scene when stacked together.




E. Lawrence, Ltd. produces bespoke vellum and leather books covered in script....


and sets of different heights in bold colors with calligraphy accents.....




This set is classic vellum....with engraved designs. Still craving more books? Check out French-Kissed blog post on vellum books. Jermaine has a wonderful eye and her blog is a treat every week!

Brad Ford home...photo courtesy of New York Social Diary

So, how do you display your collections? Do you group them together? Treat them as art in your home?



Do your collections make you smile when you see them on your tabletops?



Photo from Brabourne Farm Blog

Do you treat them as architectural pieces? I love the collection of stacked boxes in the corner of the room.


Look how this collection of old maps was displayed. They were used as wallpaper and framed the panels in the door, not elevated to high art, but treated in a primitive manner.




So, don't "loose your marbles" over worrying how to display your treasures. The point is to enjoy them...don't keep them packed away in boxes...integrate them into your daily life!

12 comments:

My Castle in Spain said...

Dear Theresa,
as always, your post is so inspiring!
oh these sculpted book and the vellum books....i love all that, thank you !
i will hop to French kissed
Have a great week end!
Lala

Lee said...

Theresa,
I have never seen carved books...I will need to show these to my dad...

I liked it all...the maps looked really good...
Another fun post...I have tons of collections...and books, great ideas.
Lee

home before dark said...

Most unique I thought were the boxes stacked like a tansu step chest. I collect cookware and treat tools like art. I collect books, or more truthfully, books collect me. I collect china, and display the china of women in our family, both for the sentiment and their beauty. In the middle of bath remodel, I can say most honestly what I collect is dust! Dreading the OU-Texas game this weekend.Hell of a year to be a Sooner...

Theresa Cheek said...

HBD-
The stacked boxes are great, aren't they? Yes, books are always in issue in my house, they are everywhere! Don't dread the game....there is always next year ;)

ceecee said...

Oh no! You never should have showed me those vellum books. I have books coming out of my ears and now I have to have those too! I'm not sure whether I should thank you or not.

Catherine

Theresa Cheek said...

Catherine,
Vellum is a vice!!! Please don't hate me, I am in the same boat!!

French-Kissed said...

Another wonderful post. Of course I love the vellum books and you have opened my eyes to even more varieties. Thanks for the mention and link. Have an enjoyable weekend.

~jermaine~

(IN)DECOROUS TASTE said...

I've noticed that my collections seem to creep up on me. I don't realize I'm collecting something, and then suddenly, I have enough of it to warrant a whole tabletop, or room... Personally, I love when collections are displayed en masse, but I guess it's a matter of how you enjoy your collection best. I wholeheartedly agree that collections are meant to be enjoyed, first and foremost. The WORST place for any collection is a box!! By the way, those carved books are so interesting, I'd never seen them before. Lauren

Fifi Flowers said...

FUN to collect things... I collect Swarovski crystals.

Parisbreakfasts said...

The script-covered books are to die for...
After a while the collections start to OWN you and that's when I opt out.

Mélanie A. said...

What an inspiring post. I love the way , the maps are displayed. We are all collectors ( well, I think) and it is interesting to see others poeple's collection

La Dolfina said...

Fabulous post!!
The carved books are incredible!

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