Monday, September 7, 2009

Creating a Collection

I'm joining Amanda's Decorating Dilemmas party. Go on over and see if you can help someone with your ideas!

Last week my friend Dixie bribed me with lunch so I would come over and help her with some shelf arrangements. Over the last year or so she has been collecting white items from thrift stores and wanted to display them.

Her shelves were hung on a wall between her dining room and kitchen. She brought out all her white items and I started playing with the arrangement. This is what we came up with.

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She recently painted her kitchen Sherwin Williams Believable Buff. Or Whole Wheat, I can’t remember which. They’re on the same paint strip. Using the white accessories looks clean and fresh, especially against the new color.

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After seeing these photos, I suggested that she place a third grapevine ball on the bottom shelf, just to left of the footed bowl. I thought it would help fill in the blank space without filling it up, and use the rule of threes (or odds). She says it looks good. We also discussed the possibility of hanging the round plate on the wall, in its current spot but a couple inches higher.

Dixie said that the thing she likes about her collection is that it’s not all stark white. It’s a mixture of whites and creams. She also likes the variety of textures: the swirled cream and sugar, the cross-hatched finial, an embossed scroll design on the edge of the platter.

I have my own collection of whites, currently in my china cabinet, behind glass doors. I really like it on the open shelves and told Dixie that I fully intend to copy her.

Neither one of us spent too much on our collections—a couple dollars here and there, spread out over a year or more of thrifting. I’ve actually done this a couple times in the past, though, before my obsession with thrift stores. Both times I had a shelf/shelves that I needed to accessorize, and I just went through my cupboards and pulled all the white things I had. Some of them were our regular everyday dishes.

The next time you need a display, keep in mind that anything you have three or more of is a collection.

15 comments:

Jocelyn said...

I love the way these white pieces accessorize the wall. Great visual!

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

akawest said...

I really like the way that looks. It makes me want to start collecting white things.

Lucy Marie said...

I really love the way that looks. I especially love the 1 Pt 1 Qt jugs.

The Whispering Creek House said...

I love white too..I wanted to do my whole house in creams and whites but alas, I cant start over now- not in this economy! lol So browns, rust, cream and green it is! I love it! I am doing my living room now and hope to reveal that on my blog soon..Im trading labor with my sweet sister in law.Home cooked meal for sewing pillows! Love it!You did a nice job for your friend! well done!

Melinda said...

Holly--
Lovely shelves.
I have a collection of white things also BUT didn't realize how much I like white dishes until I picked up a set of dinner ware on the side of a street for FREE this summer! Also looking around our house I discovered that I have two small bowl and pitcher sets in two rooms. Interesting...

Have a great day!

Melinda

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Nice arrangement. :) I love that little star plate...it adds a little pop over there on the side! If you have a chance, link this up to my Decorating Dilemmas party. I'm going to post it tonight after 10, and it will be up all day tomorrow too. :) I'm going to do another giveaway too. :)

trish said...

Your wall looks fantastic! I am so drawn to all things white! :o)
Happy Tuesday!
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne

dixie said...

Thanks Holly!! I really like what you did with my selves and my "white stuff". It looks terrific!!

Fifi Flowers said...

Cute shelves!

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

I just love white pieces. They really are just so pretty. I have a cupboard of white plates, bowls and mixing bowls that I just love to look at. One day I hope to have a nice hutch to display them in besides behind the door of my cupboard. :)

Did you find your kitty?

LuLu said...

Looks terrific! and I love the different shades of white as well.
LuLu

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Thanks for linking up, Holly. :) I still love it! ;)

Tiffany said...

This is really lovely. I love the texture the little grapevine balls bring to the set.

Thanks for sharing!

Xazmin said...

It looks so pretty! I love the white against the buff color!

Unknown said...

Great job! You have an "eye" for the "vignette." :)