“Even in the most simple and random acts of accumulation, we are defining ourselves…” -Alexandra Stoddard
Storage, displaying collections – how on earth did everything become a collection?
My Grandma Baker gave me the book, Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch when I was 8. When we moved a couple of years later, it got tossed and I missed it so. In the early years of our marriage I found a copy of the same vintage and bought it for a quarter. I was thrilled, ecstatic! Then I found another. I now have at least 7 or 8 copies of Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch. Thank goodness I have a strong commitment to NOT having collections!
But stuff. Wow, life is made of stuff. Too much of it, I am certain. And how, oh, how do we manage to find a place for all of it? Here are a few of my ways:
I have one drawer full of my kids’ artwork from elementary school days left (I’ve given them the rest). I spray-painted a bunch of large cast-off frames black. I had Hobby Lobby cut some neutral mats. In theory, I can switch out the art out and have an ever-changing remembrance of my babies growing up. I only changed 3 last time, but in theory…
I took the hymnal rack off the old pew in our dining area and hung it on the stair wall bewteen the family room and the sanctuary/living room. I love old hymnals! Some one made the crosses for us. Just tucked them in because they don’t hang or stand.
The four intaglios (an Italian word pronounced in-TAL-yo) need some restoration, as they are in their original frames from the 30s and 40s, but I like the authenticity. The printmaking process usually involves engraving the art on a hard metal plate, which is then inked and used to make multiple prints. One of these, at least, is a numbered, limited edition and all are signed by the artists.
My FAVORITE artwork by the grandbabies below. These were done by Gavin, Hunter and Guini 2 and 1/2 years ago, when Gav was 3, Hunter was not even two and Guini was almost 1 . It is time to let Gemma and Averi have a go at a canvas!
Dave loves watches and actually has a pretty cool collection. Here are a few we still use around a lampbase on his desk. Have the time?… (in the background are the heavy brass ends to actual fire hoses – we await the creative idea for how to make them useful, we wait)
When a lovely Catholic woman visiting my home told me she was so blessed my icons she nearly wept, I didn’t even know what she was talking about. But I do love my religious art (reproductions of ancient works). I have several other prints yet to hang.
While living in Nebraska, I enjoyed mixing and matching china found in second-hand shops in small farm towns which I displayed in custom cabinetry. It is currently just stacked in the kitchen cupboards, but I still enjoy a cup of tea at times, in a pretty , 14K-gold-embellished, China cup.
“I am against minimalism; I like stuff! And I believe in mixing anything and everything. The idea is to please one’s own sense of aesthetics and comfort.” ~Bill Goldsmith
Fresh ideas for organizing stuff, anyone?…Jeanie
My HOME theme verse: “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasure.” Proverbs 24.3, 4 NIV
All this pondering and adventuring into the world of creating home started with this post.
