How to Display and Dazzle With Your Curios and Antiques
Curios, art and accessories from your adventures are piling up in storage? Here are some ways to display these treasures
We all collect things from our travels to exotic places – mementos, artefacts … just stuff. And we don’t give much thought while bringing it all home. However, incorporating these treasures into our home decor is a different ball game. One that we postpone or avoid as much as possible. For the most part, these impulse buys usually get relegated to hidden corners, cupboards or deep storage. That’s a pity really, isn’t it?
Dig into your storage and take out these priceless buys and display them proudly in your home. Here’s how…
Dig into your storage and take out these priceless buys and display them proudly in your home. Here’s how…
Hang a regional textile
The exquisite array of textiles can be quite the temptress when it comes to holiday art shopping. Given that fabric is easy to pack and is durable, it is more likely to make the trip back home in one piece. Some textiles are so intricately patterned, they work better as wall art than bed linen. So why not showcase them for everyone to see?
Tip: To make sure it lasts the test of time, frame the textile between two sheets of glass like you would a painting.
The exquisite array of textiles can be quite the temptress when it comes to holiday art shopping. Given that fabric is easy to pack and is durable, it is more likely to make the trip back home in one piece. Some textiles are so intricately patterned, they work better as wall art than bed linen. So why not showcase them for everyone to see?
Tip: To make sure it lasts the test of time, frame the textile between two sheets of glass like you would a painting.
Plan to pair the old with the new
Half the fun of exploring somewhere new comes from searching for unique artefacts. But having a theme in mind can greatly narrow down your search. For instance, planning ahead allowed the owners of this Portland loft to seamlessly embrace an earthy feel in this otherwise contemporary setting. This is done by combining a custom-made console, which incorporates antique Chinese doors, with leather poufs and a shaggy rug.
Half the fun of exploring somewhere new comes from searching for unique artefacts. But having a theme in mind can greatly narrow down your search. For instance, planning ahead allowed the owners of this Portland loft to seamlessly embrace an earthy feel in this otherwise contemporary setting. This is done by combining a custom-made console, which incorporates antique Chinese doors, with leather poufs and a shaggy rug.
Let it take centre stage
When you’re on your holiday high, buying a native costume/accessory is a common habit – whether to appropriate a part of it into your wardrobe or just to keep it as a remembrance. Sadly, it often ends up gathering dust in your cupboard never to be looked at again. Instead, treat it as an artwork and display the different cultural stylings as wall art.
When you’re on your holiday high, buying a native costume/accessory is a common habit – whether to appropriate a part of it into your wardrobe or just to keep it as a remembrance. Sadly, it often ends up gathering dust in your cupboard never to be looked at again. Instead, treat it as an artwork and display the different cultural stylings as wall art.
Put quality over quantity
Just because you’ve shopped till you’ve dropped, doesn’t mean you have to put everything on display. Sometimes it’s best to embrace the ‘less is more’ philosophy and showcase only the real treasures of your loot. The key word here is moderation when it comes to bringing the feeling of a holiday home.
You can opt to elegantly display your selected treasures on floating shelves or as in this case, hollow wicker blocks stacked on top of each other. The aim is to distil down your travel experience to fit your home.
Just because you’ve shopped till you’ve dropped, doesn’t mean you have to put everything on display. Sometimes it’s best to embrace the ‘less is more’ philosophy and showcase only the real treasures of your loot. The key word here is moderation when it comes to bringing the feeling of a holiday home.
You can opt to elegantly display your selected treasures on floating shelves or as in this case, hollow wicker blocks stacked on top of each other. The aim is to distil down your travel experience to fit your home.
Tip: Exploit dead space under the stairs or near entryways and landings with in-built shelves to display those assorted keepsakes. Narrow bookshelves are ideal to showcase those tiny bits of art that you weren’t quite sure what to do with.
Make art out of your travel related paraphernalia
All your postcards and maps don’t necessarily have to go into the bin or be tucked away in a box forgotten till it’s spring cleaning time. ‘Frame and put them up as a collage,’ says owner and designer Lisa Janvrin of YouthfulNest. She complements the room’s subtle ‘city and travel’ theme with postcards in pop colours taken from her extensive collection.
All your postcards and maps don’t necessarily have to go into the bin or be tucked away in a box forgotten till it’s spring cleaning time. ‘Frame and put them up as a collage,’ says owner and designer Lisa Janvrin of YouthfulNest. She complements the room’s subtle ‘city and travel’ theme with postcards in pop colours taken from her extensive collection.
Show off your photographs
Taking pictures of your travels is such a key part of the holiday experience. However, sadly most of the time those brilliant memories end up hidden from sight on computer hard drives. Instead, use simple frames to line up your best shots or the ones that mean the most to you. Every picture has a story to tell.
Take a look at these gallery ideas
Taking pictures of your travels is such a key part of the holiday experience. However, sadly most of the time those brilliant memories end up hidden from sight on computer hard drives. Instead, use simple frames to line up your best shots or the ones that mean the most to you. Every picture has a story to tell.
Take a look at these gallery ideas
Mask your wall
How many is too many? When it comes to tribal masks, the answer is, it is never too much. Let your collection of masks from around the world be the piece de resistance when you group them together on a wall. The less the symmetry the better, as it gives an edgy feel to the look.
Read more:
Get a Relaxed Beach Style Home in the City
Houzz Tour: A Contemporary Getaway With an Indian Twist
Tell us:
Which holiday would you most like to bring home with you? And how have you displayed your holiday art finds? Share photographs in Comments below.
How many is too many? When it comes to tribal masks, the answer is, it is never too much. Let your collection of masks from around the world be the piece de resistance when you group them together on a wall. The less the symmetry the better, as it gives an edgy feel to the look.
Read more:
Get a Relaxed Beach Style Home in the City
Houzz Tour: A Contemporary Getaway With an Indian Twist
Tell us:
Which holiday would you most like to bring home with you? And how have you displayed your holiday art finds? Share photographs in Comments below.
Those handwoven baskets and bowls were quite the find, but now you are scratching your head about where to put them. Alison Davin from Jute Interior Design has the answer – fix them to a wall in a gorgeous grouping. She ties the space together by pairing the woven baskets with a rustic dining table, chairs and a suspended light fixture, while the straw-woven stool further accentuates the whole look.