5 creative concepts to display artefacts
Photographs: iStock
So you are one of those who just can’t resist a beautiful pot, that utterly charming rag doll or that interesting rock sculpted by the wind and the sea. But their beauty will only receive its due when they are displayed in the proper way. Architect Aman Gandhi gives you simple tips on showcasing your cherished collections in unique and innovative ways.
1. Strength in numbers: Convert boring spaces into attention-seekers by placing collectibles in a group to make an impact. The common denominator could be colour, form or material. Or you could even go absolutely identical. Imagine a ledge with a clutch or line of terracotta pots, a wall graced by an assortment of decorative mirrors of varying sizes or a pinboard with a bevy of ragdolls.
2. Think out of the design box: Traditional non-space-design objects – such as jewellery and fashion accessories – can also be used to great effect for decorating space. Mount a lovely piece of jewellery on glass and frame it. Treat your shopping bags in a similar manner for an interesting display. Hang your scarves on a nice wooden ladder, or wall-mount that collection of hats or dinky cars!
3. Flaunt your interest: If you like something, don't hide it! A yen for quirky things – such as matchboxes, buttons or vinyl records – can be channelized into creating conversation-starters. A neat matrix of matchboxes mounted as an artwork or glass bottles with marbles, buttons or pebbles can serve as decor. Similarly, a wall will readily receive a host of items such as masks, vintage crockery, trays, tiles… Display your collection of miniature porcelain animals/figurines in a glass box.
4. A room-full of likes: Artefacts can also be themized to a particular room. Old kitchenware (kettles, spoons, pans, breadboxes…) will be right at home in a kitchen or dining room, as will a collection of bottle-openers in a bar. Similarly, the afore-mentioned hats and scarves can find place in a dresser. An installation, created by suspending books by their spines from the ceiling at different heights, can perk up a corner of a study/library.
5. Tell a tale: Weave a story around aesthetic compositions. A knick-knack picked up on a holiday and a photograph taken while holidaying there, displayed against a backdrop of a beautiful textile sourced from that destination, will related an object-based narrative. Another way of capturing special travel moments is to wall-mount a magnetic worldmap and stick small souvenirs or family photographs on the 'right spot'. Old is always gold: an heirloom – a small chest, a basket, a tapestry – can be placed at the centrestage of an artful setting. Always remember to play with heights and layers to derive maximum decorative potential from such tablescapes.
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