The Bottom Line
Pros
- Lots of great looking photographs
- Collections displays from sea shells to battle-ready Samurai
- Great for the person who loves to decorate with their stuff
Cons
- None
Description
- Almost 400 great color photographs featuring a wide range of things people collect.
- Showcases different decorating styles from ornate to contemporary.
- Learn to group different styles of collectibles together to make your own personal statement.
Guide Review - A Passion for Collecting, Decorating With Your Favorite Objects
Of course the title grabbed me immediately.
I obviously have a passion for collecting, as do most of you reading this, so how could I leave the book on the shelf? Since I am always looking for new ideas and unusual ways to display my stuff, it was fun to leaf through the book and see what would inspire me.
The pictures, collections and displays were, for the most part, quite grand. Most looked like how I imagine the houses of the very wealthy would look if they collected unique items. This translates into not many displays that I could personally relate to, but that's not always necessary when looking for ideas. For instance I loved the way sea shells were turned into works of art and used painter's palettes becoming a gorgeous burst of color on the wall.
The author classifies the collector into different categories: Antiquarians, Explorers, Inheritors, Perfectionists, Naturalists, Utilitarians, Enthusiasts, Decorators and the Miniaturists.
I decided I must be an Enthusiast collector, "the all-rounder who cannot resist accumulating everything and anything that appeals". I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not, but since it fits, we'll go with that description. I do know I am in good company. Ashmmole, the Duchess of Portland, The Rothschild family and J. P. Morgan are all given as examples of the Enthusiast collector.
This book isn't for everyone, but it's a fun read. See who else fits in your same category of collecting, and enjoy looking at the terrific and sometimes outlandish displays. I'll just bet that there will be a new collection that catches your eye and will be your new target at the next antique show. As for me, I'm trying to figure out just where you buy used artist palettes.
