Since flea market season is
approaching, I want to let you in on a little secret. While I'm a Professional
Organizer, I'm also a passionate collector. I have beautiful books on
interior design, from European villas to industrial salvage funk (see my Pinterest
boards).
I collect cookbooks with
pictures of savory stews styled in antique tureens, kitchen paraphernalia and
serving pieces, and many antique and vintage items. These fuel my passion for
interior design and cooking.
My home is filled with
both antique and modern furniture, all functional, some of which I've had since
my first apartment. I love treasure hunting at thrift shops, estate sales and
flea markets. You get better quality and timeless design. As a designer, I
purchase rarely ... only when an object inspires my soul.
I'm not a minimalist and
I've never aspired to be one ... although I admire those beautiful spare
homes of polished concrete and steel, every object culled from the Museum
of Modern Art, and that one large vase, a stunner filled with exotic
leaves. The mundane items are hidden behind walls of storage. Love that –
but ordinary bare bones homes make me sad. I like a home to have
personality.
William Morris is often
quoted as saying: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful
or believe to be beautiful.”
I've collected for decades
so I also love to simplify. In fact, de-acquisitioning is my new hobby. I've
been downsizing my collections for years, weeding down to the best and
offloading the rest. I help my clients do the same. I've come to
realize there's only so much I can use and enjoy.
Here’s the lowdown about
collections:
• If they could talk they
would tell you they want to be out in the open. That means clean, not dusty and
proudly displayed, not hidden. Only keep those you can care for. Like too many
cats, collectables easily get out of hand.
• They want to
be cherished. Even better they'd like to be used. Pull out that
lovely old silver set you inherited and enjoy it every day. Find a way to
organize your treasures so they are accessible.
• Books look beautiful
when artfully arranged on the shelves. There are many ways to do it if you have
the touch. If not, hire someone like me, so you can enjoy them forever.
• Like birds of a feather,
collections like to flock together, like with like, among their friends. Put
all that pretty pottery you've been collecting on the console, rather than
spreading it out one by one throughout the house. Miraculously, it becomes
a cohesive, thoughtfully displayed collection, rather than clutter.
• Use an organizing
principle whether it's shape, color, or contrasting sizes and textures. If you
like change, create a fresh tableau each season, storing others until it's
their turn.
• Dispose of broken bits
and pieces. Keep the treasure, toss the trash. Donate lesser pieces. Your
collection will be more precious and you'll feel good about doing good.
• Be sure the items you
collect are worth acquiring. Not every tchotchke you see is worthy to be
in your home. Please refrain from collecting every dollar store owl in the
universe, or coins and plates advertised as “newly-minted collectables.”
• Don't forget the cost of
owning is not just the cash. It's time to take care of your collection which
can entail carting it home, finding a space, getting rid of something
else (real estate is expensive), repairing, washing, dusting (repeatedly),
polishing, packing and paying for a move, maybe even storing someday. So
be sure the item is worth it.
Treasure those vintage,
antique or collectable items of beauty and function which can be had for a
pittance. I predict you will love them for years to come. The search is half
the fun. Happy hunting!
