Ways to Display

Displays are a great design trick, giving an otherwise drab space a jolt of energy that wakes up a room. Displays can be fun or functional, casual or elegant, subtle or dramatic. Whether you highlight a one-of-a-kind keepsake or show off your treasures en masse, there are many ways to display — all reflecting who you are and what you enjoy.
 

• Spotlight one item by turning it into a centerpiece. Place it on a pedestal, backlight it, display it against a wall painted to show it off to best advantage. For example, artwork looks best against a white wall, while blue and white porcelain comes alive against walls painted a sunny yellow.
   
• Group items together for impact, adding an element of contrast to stimulate the eye. A candle garden is more impactful than a single candle. Add a touch of the unexpected by placing a variety of sizes and shapes of cream-colored candles inside a Victorian terrarium and winding faux strands of pearls around them to make an elegant display.
   
• Unite a space with variations on a theme. A driftwood shelf makes a whimsical vantage point for a collection of lighthouses. Shells and starfish look right at home around the edge of the bathtub. A glass vase becomes seaworthy when filled with colored rocks and sea glass. Together, they turn a bathroom into a relaxing retreat.
   
• Make a fun container part of the display. Turn a walk down memory lane into a design element. Remove the lid from an antique toy chest and fill it with vintage toys. Rest a piece of safety glass on top and it becomes a memorable coffee table.
   
• Create a unique conversation piece by arranging an eclectic grouping of items in an artistic thought-provoking still life. An old metal fan, a vintage camera and a stack of black and white photos tell a story when grouped intimately on a tabletop. A stack of books topped with a bowl of fresh flowers, flanked by silver candlesticks, an antique penholder and a bowl full of decorative notepapers makes a smart-looking library table.
   
• Don’t just display collections — use them! Turn vintage tea towels into pillow covers, stuff with fiberfill and pile on a bench or window seat. Store vintage rolling pins in a basket and use it for a doorstop. Screw decorative tins into the wall and use them to hold kitchen utensils or office supplies.