Displaying collections...

...and my latest crush!

Image from Lenneke Wisplelwey

Ever since I first came across Lenneke Wispelwey's gorgeous, pastel hued and geometric ceramics, I have felt the compelling urge to start collecting ceramics...

I have a few pieces of cheaper ceramics, but not enough to call it a collection, and nothing near the beautiful craftsmanship of Lenneke's work.....sigh!!

  

Image from finsdottir

I would just love to have a shelf, or sideboard filled with beautiful vases and vessels from the likes of Lenneke and Finsdottir, above!

This has got me thinking about collections.....and how to display them..

Grouping similar things (or collections ) together is one of the best "tricks" in interior design when it comes to styling.

 I find the word "styling" quite contrived, and tend to shy away from it. 

But never the less, sometimes the right styling can bring together a look in a way a casual display just can't...this is one of those times:

Chances are, if you have a collection of something, it means a lot to you...it's a part of your personality. So choosing to display your collection tells people that you are proud to be you.... It's all about having the confidence to display the things you love in a way that makes them shine!

Instead of spreading you collections around the room, by grouping them together you create a bigger visual impact, and all those little things that means something to you start making more sense in your space...Styling your collections in groups helps tell a story about YOU!

So below, I've curated a few examples of brilliantly displayed collections....all styled beautifully, and not contrived at all!

Image from La Maison d'Anna G

Above you can see how the stylist has created 3 groups of similar items on a sideboard: The clear glass boxes, the white ceramics (sigh!!) with cacti and finally at the end a group of wooden objects.

 I love this image and styling, and it works because there is a thread through the display: 

The green from the plant on the left is repeated by the cacti in the middle. Spot the little white balls in the glass box...you find a few more at the end of the display by the  collection of wooden objects...

Also: notice the little wooden spinner in front of the glass boxes? 

The limited colour palette makes this a consummate look!

Image from Mun Da Daa

Above is another, slightly less complicated, but never the less impactful example of displaying a collection: 

This time it's the Record collection that takes pride of place, beautifully accompanied by a collection of monochrome artwork on the wall!

 But notice also the little collection of glass vessels...If they had been spread out on the side, they would've lost their impact. 

Image from Emily Hendersn

In fact, glass ware is perfect for displaying in groups, as the transparency of the glass shows off what's behind as well as the front of the display...plants are another thing that looks amazing when displayed in plural. Above you can see how Emily Henderson has cleverly connected the display of glass containers on the top shelf with the collection of plants on the bottom shelf, by supplementing both with white vessels....

Image from Poetic home

In this Swedish window display glass vessels are used to display, maybe not so much of a collection, but a themed selection of driftwood, sticks and pebbles to showcase the gorgeous appeal and perfection of the imperfect nature, creating a simplistic, wabi sabi-like display...I think this display works beautifully because it is styled in a weathered setting and contrasts with the perfection of the glass vessels.

Image from decor8blog

Leslie Shewring is one half of the creative force behind Decorate with flowers, and I love how she has styled and displayed her collection of succulents in her studio....The white pots against the white brick wall on the white table brings the varying colors of the green plants to life....perfectly simple, but with such a big visual impact!!

Image via Flicker

In the image above, it's not so much the shape of the collection that brings it together, but the meaning of the items displayed. I love the way the old tools are all tied together by the patina of the wood, and the way the display on the wall is relating to the items on the old desk.

Image via Heather Bullard

By displaying different sizes and colors of glass bottles on the mantle, as above, the light is reflected, making the display seem airy and simple. The green sprigs add a bit of interest and inject some color!

Image from Alt for damerne

Above, a collection of old-fashioned camera's has been given pride of place, by lining them up, in an orderly manner on some picture ledges. The last two images prove that styling a display of a collection can be as simple or as contemplated as you'd like...

Image from Vibeke Design

I love the styling in the image above. Rather than being a collection of similar items, this is a more themed collection. The botanical prints on the wall is the perfect backdrop for displaying the old tin box and the big glass bottles. The collection of twines in the glass jar and the green branches ties in with the botanical scheme...

Image from Emil un die gross en schwestern

Coming back to ceramics: Just look at this gorgeous collection of white ceramic vases and vessels, above!! Perfectly arranged on that stunning mid-century modern sideboard! I also love the collection of art on the wall....but what makes this display really work IMO, is the whiteness of the ceramics against that dark grey wall!

Image from The style files

The collection of ceramics in the image above is equally beautiful! I love that there are all sorts of shapes and sizes, and the seemingly casual display looks like a rainbow of colors against the white starkness of the room. And being that they are placed on the windowsill in an easy to reach spot, makes them seem all the more part of the interior in a very tactile way!What a way to display a lovingly collected array of ceramics and earthenware! This is my sort of dream space!

....Maybe one day I will own a gorgeous collection like this, and display it with pride!

What I love about collections, is that they are not un-achievable dreams, but something that you gather and build, like wisdom, through the years....

And a collection will always be personal to you: It doesn't matter if it is pebbles and sticks found on the beach or beautifully handcrafted ceramics...Each and every piece is special, because you took the time and effort to bring it home, and by displaying your collection in a group, you are showcasing those moments , that sums up the story of you, every time you look at them!!

Win an Eames ESW style chair!

Competition!

Image via so much more than

I am happy to announce that in collaboration with the wonderful people over at Chair furniture, I am today hosting a giveaway of one of the most iconic chairs of our times:

The Eames ESW chair!

Details of how to enter this competition  further down the post!

Image from houtmerk

Originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames',the ESW chair, along with their DAW Chair revolutionized furniture in the 1950s with its unique style and grace. Taking advantage of  the development of new technologies and materials developed during World war 2, and The Eames' pioneered  the use of plywood and fibreglass in furniture design, and the DAW was one of the first  industrially produced plastic chairs in the world.
 The seat follows the shape of the body to make it more comfortable and the wooden legs are strengthened with steel. Elegant, comfortable and strong,this chair has over the years won a place among the most iconic pieces of furniture created in modern times!

Image from only deco love

It is even so famous that there has been made posters of it!!
Head to Only Deco Love to download the printable poster, pictured above for FREE!

Image from Pinterest

The continued popularity of mid Century modern design, is a testament to the quality and creative thinking behind the 1950's movement that the Eames's was spear heading.

And along with designs from their peers, such as Arne Jacobsen, Hans Wegner and Jean Prouve, the Eames plastic chairs are now firmly placed in hall of fame of modern design...

Now A staple in most Scandinavian interiors, the timeless design fits in any settings...

Image from S F girl by bay

In offices and creative workshops....Seen here, above, in the earlier offices of S F Girl by Bay's creative studio, in colored fiberglass with Eiffel style steel legs....

Image from The Urbnite

Or here in a black shell with wooden, steel reinforced legs....

Image via From the right bank

In a more oldy-worldy setting around an antique dining table....they don't look out of place, but adds another dimension to the interior by juxtaposing with the rest of the decor...

Image from nordic days

Or in more modern and stark surroundings, in it's most classic, plain white option, above.

Image Via My Paradissi

UK based company Chair furniture specializes in quality replicas of iconic furniture, like the ESW, for a fraction of the prize of an original.....

 

....making iconic design affordable to the general public, and not just the wealthy elite....

Building on the ethos of the original design movement of the Eames' and their peers, to make great design accessible for all....

Chair Furniture stocks these iconic chairs in a wide variety of colors and finishes...

And all you have to do to win one is,

 like their Facebook page

then visit their site and choose your favorite chair...

Then comment on their Facebook page, or mine, or below, on this blogpost which chair you would like to win...

This competition is open to anyone living in Europe, except Switzerland (Sorry;) and will be running for 3 weeks. The winner will be dawn at random and announced on the 3rd July here at Nostalgiecat.

Image from Design o form

So, just to recap those competition rules:  

To get your hands on a piece of iconic design for your home, head over to the Chair furniture facebook page, click like and leave a comment mentioning your favorite chair from their website, either there or below here on this blogpost....

Good luck!

Ps! You can read more about the Eames' revolutionary designs here and in my post about the Eames RAR rocker....and if you are unsure of acquiring a replica of a design classic as opposed to the real thing, you may find this post by my blogger friend Kimberley Duran interesting!

DIY poster hanger

In my last post I sowed you how you can make your own graphic poster for your walls... ...today I am sharing how I made the simple wooden poster frames! These types of "clamp on" poster frames are really practical if you like to change out your art frequently, and they also take up next to no space when storing. Save some money and make your own...it's easy! You will need: Wooden bead moulding , like this  3mm brass screws and nuts x6 3mm brass washers x6 Small brass screw eyes x2 Brass chain Ruler pencil  tape Wood saw Screw driver A drill and drill bits (3mm and 7/8mm...or however big your screws and nuts are) Araldite glue or other super-strong adhesive Fine grit sandpaper HERE'S HOW: Cut the wooden beading to size. You'll need two lengths at the top AND bottom of your poster, so 4 equal lengths all together. Pair up the lengths and tape them tightly together. One pair for the top, and one pair for the bottom of your poster frame.

Use the ruler and pencil to mark out 6 equally spaced points on each pair of the wooden beading's.

Use the smallest drill bit to drill through on each spot.

By pairing up the beading and taping together before drilling, you ensure the holes will match up on the wood.

Undo the tape and separate the beading. Put the top beading to the side for now!

Now use the larger drill bit to make the holes on the bottom beading big enough to countersink the nuts. Take care not to drill all the way through.

Mix up some Araldite, and glue the nuts into the wooden beading.

Then place the top beading on top and screw the two wooden moldings together whilst the glue is still setting.

Repeat this process for the bottom half of your poster frame as well.

Whilst you are waiting for the glue to harden, use the smaller drill-bit to drill a hole on the topside at each end of the top of the "frame", and attach the screw eyes:

Use some fine grit sandpaper to gently remove any pencil marks and small splinters caused by drilling and cutting the wood.

Cut the chain to length and attach to the screw eyes.

Unscrew the frames and place the washers on the front before reassembling the frame onto the poster...

Place the poster between the wooden beading and tighten the screws to secure...

....then hang your poster!

The bottom half of the poster frame will help weigh the poster down , ensuring it will hang straight!

You can find my DIY graphic poster tutorial HERE.

I am not quite done with the art theme around here yet....bu I am going larger than ever with my next project....all shall be revealed soon!

But do pop around on Saturday, as I am hosting a fantastic giveaway....you don't want to miss it!!

Please vote for me for best DIY blog

DIY graphic poster

"Art is the most intence mode of individualism the world has known"

-Oscar Wilde-

As part of my recent series of posts exploring how displaying art in your home I am today sharing this tutorial on how to make a graphic poster!

Your choices of art expresses your feelings and tastes more than anything else you'll choose to decorate your home with...it speaks directly to you and anyone visiting your home about who you are: 

From the colors you choose to the shapes and motif in a picture.

And displaying BIG pieces of art shows a confidence ,not only in your style and interior tastes, but also in your own person: It is a statement!!

This year has seen the rise of the poster art:

It is a convenient way to add some of that individualism to your walls: Easy to hang and quick to replace...Perfect for those of you that like to change up your interiors frequently to express your own personal taste evolution.

And making your own art , is a further extension of expressing that confidence....

So today I will show you how you can make your very own poster art, in an easy and affordable way....but still have it look "a million dollars".

Following my own advice on making BIG art, I've gone abstract, but this time in a graphic way.

Inspired by the work of  Kristina Krogh , this Poster art is all about colors and textures....and I have chosen what I liked, but of course you should choose to use what appeals to you! 

This tutorial is meant more as an inspiration, sowing a seed of an idea, to encourage you to express yourself and make something big, bold and personal to fill your walls with.

Here's what I did:

I got some A1 coloured paper, I chose a dark blue, for my poster base.

Then I used some marble contact paper , some brushed Brass/gold effect contact paper .

I also used some cork paper and water colour patterned paper I got on my last visit to Norway from Sostrene Grene, But you can get similar Cork paper from here , and 

for similar watercolour print paper ,visit Design Love Fest to download their free digital watercolour wallpaper, save to your computer and print....Or I will show you how to easily make your own further down the post...

You will also need a ruler, a pencil , scissors and some spray adhesive.

First I drew up a simple (and crude ) plan of how I wanted my poster to look, making note of the measurements of each element!

Then I measured and cut out the shapes for each element:

Then I very faintly marked out with a pencil on my poster base where the different elements was going to go...The best way to do this is to find the center and work your way outwards....

I loosely placed the elements down and reviewed the layout: 

I made some additional faint pencil marks at this point to ensure that the elements would go on straight and symmetrical when I came to gluing them down.

Then I sprayed the back of the elements with spray adhesive and stuck them down in place. (The brass and marble paper were self adhesive, making it a doddle to stick down)

AND that's it!!

I also made this second poster, in the same way, using copper contact paper instead of brass, just to show you how using (ever so slightly) different shapes and colors will vary the expression in your art:

But this time I made my own watercolour pattern:

You will probably remember doing this as a child:

Folding a piece of paper, painting only one side of the fold then closing together to create a symmetrical "butterfly splogde" picture... Use some proper watercolour paper and use lots of water with your paint to get the effect!

Let it fully dry (Iron if too crumpled)

Assemble as before according to your plan.

I love this effect and think it adds a truly personal and artistic look to the poster...

Stay tuned next week for my tutorial on how to DIY the wooden poster hanger!

As I've mentioned before (like, about a million times;) as my daughter would say...) the great thing about making your own art for your home is that it can be truly customized to your tastes....both in shapes, motif ,size and colors....

So what do you think?

Are you ready to get artistic and make some art for your walls?

How do you feel about posters as opposed to canvas?

Please vote for me for best DIY blog