How to Decorate a Home with Collections

Most people accumulate things and often don't even think of them as collections. Do you have albums or boxes of family photos? I'll bet you even have a jar that you put stray buttons in. Maybe you have a pile of scrap material left over from your sewing projects. How about that stack of t-shirts with special logos on them stacked in a drawer? Whatever you are letting pile up unintentionally can be turned into art. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
    

   Family photos are a treasure trove to fill a whole wall with pictures framed alike. There are other ways to decorate with photos.
   You can make very personal valentines or cards for other special days. One daughter made valentines with fancy paper from a wallpaper sample book. In the center, she cut a heart shape opening and placed a photo taken in 1973 of me and a granddaughter. It was a lovely gift as well as an heirloom full of memories. Displaying family handicrafts and momentos makes a room very personal.

2. 
    
   Buttons turned into wall art

   Many people save used buttons for a variety of reasons. They plan to sew it back on the garment it came from or when discarding worn out clothing, they are saved for another sewing project. I remember Mother spreading the buttons out on a cookie sheet and letting me pick through them for the buttons I wanted on the new blouse she was making for me. Turn your assortment of buttons into a work of art. Sew buttons of one color on a wall hanging. Decide upon a design, maybe star shapes would be attractive. Use a heavy material because the buttons will weigh it down.

3. 
    
   Quilting bee

   When I was growing up in the mid 1900's every home had a sewing machine, but I'm not so sure that is true now. Clothing was made for the family and small scraps of left over material were saved for another project, such as quilting. Every little piece of material could be used. Try your hand at creating a quilt and enjoy the beautiful results. Use it for a spread on your bed or displayed on a quilt stand or hanging on a wall rack. It adds a bold splash of color to a room.
   There are quilt magazines and books with simple or elaborate designs in most stores that sell material. There are many stores just for quilting supplies. You can tack a quilt here and there with yarn and not even quilt it at all. These comforters provide warmth and color at the same time.

4. 
    

   Do you have an enthusiasm for sports memorabilia or accessories such as shirts or caps? If you've accumulated too many over the years, turn them into decorative items. My son and his friends, all street rod enthusiasts, came home from rod runs with a t-shirt or sweatshirt with the commemorative logo of the weekend event they attended. These shirts are replaced with new additions from subsequent rod runs throughout the year. I found that last year's shirts could be made into pillows. You can even cut the designs into large squares and sew them together to make comforters. Blue jean material or flannel makes a nice backing. These items are great attention getters at the next year's rod runs and are great to lounge on. Turn your favorite shirts into memories of wonderful events by making them into useful and decorative things.

5. 
    

   If you like something, chances are you get one, then one more and before long, it's a collection. This happened with my Mexican feather bird pictures. Put the collection all in one place to make a dramatic display. I covered the wall of my dining room with them.

[midcenturymaven]

on 7/28/2009 Any collection looks great if it's displayed properly- plus it gives guests something else to look at besides snooping around in your medicine cabinet!

[sullysee]

on 7/28/2009 Organizing collections help you to really appreciate your passion for it and the reason you started collecting. Nicely written and helpful article. 5*

[Susanh]

on 4/17/2009 I love the buttons idea! Years ago, as a child, my parents allowed me to buy a huge jar of buttons at an auction (it went for very little). I still have it and use buttons from it now and then. Now I know what to do with those buttons that have been sitting for so long! Thank you. 5*****

[veryirie]

on 3/1/2009 I love the idea of using collections to decorate a home; thanks for sharing your tips. :)

[boatst]

on 2/14/2009 I was young when I becama widow. Everyone tried to match me with a friend or.... Any way I made a somment that most of these dates reminded me of Froghorn Leghorn ( the cartoon rooster), A friend gave me a rooster and this started my collection. I even exercise to the Chicken dance polka. Thanks for article. I enjoyed it.