Home Decor: Collections

I love the feeling of picking up a cute vintage tin or bottle from a thrift store, but sometimes I have trouble finding the right place in my cottage to put it. Sometimes a vintage tin looks out of place among the other, newer things in my house. I think the answer is to make a collection of things and display them together. 

My tips for displaying a collection are:

1. Use items that are similar, but different. A collection of identical items is boring, so make sure the items differ in some way. A variety of shapes and sizes makes for a more appealing display.

2. Have enough, but not too many, items. How many items a display needs depends on what the item is. For tins or bottles, more is more, as long as there is sufficient variety. For something more unique, like globes or vintage cameras, you only need three or four or the collection may start to look boring and overdone. If you do have a large collection of something like vintage cameras, it is best to display them in a systematic way, in a custom-made display case like this:

Or on shelving, using chalkboard paint like this:

3. Choose only items that you like. It may be tempting to buy a whole lot of plain-looking tins just to make up a collection to display your favourite vintage tin, but the collection will just look like one nice tin surrounded by plain tins. Be discerning.

4. Before buying something, picture what it will look like in your home. Do you have a place for it? Are there other things that would look good with it? If you don't know where you are going to put it, it will probably just end up in storage (or in the junk cupboard if you're anything like me!).  

Some well-displayed collections:

Do you collect anything in particular?

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Molly

Stuff I Luff #11

Need me some Oxfords:

Pretty dresser! I love this French antique style

      Petal cake             Raspberry Cheesecake Brownies 

I'm loving all kinds of hats at the moment, and this whole outfit is so pretty!

I MUST make these DIY doily bowls:

Other things to check out:

• 21 pictures that will restore your faith in humanity
• What marriage means, from the point of view of children
• Some much-needed motivation to workout, by Elizabeth of Delightfully Tacky

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Molly

DIY: Photoframe

I bought this old wooden frame from a second hand shop ages ago and I've been meaning to do something with it, so I thought I'd give it a lick of paint and use it to display photos. 

What you'll need:

A wooden frame

Paint

Sandpaper

Twine or string

Small nails or tape

Wooden pegs

Photos or nice things to display

How to:

1. Find an old wooden frame. You may find one that is already empty, or one that has a print that you don't like which you can take out.

2. Give the frame a paint. I gave it a distressed look by using my scratchiest bank brush and brushing the paint on very thinly. I also sanded back the edges once the paint was dry. If you prefer, you can paint the frame nicely using two or three coats.

3. If you're using nails: Work out how many rows of twine you want and where you want them. Hammer in a nail on each side of the frame for each row of twine, using a ruler to ensure the twine will be straight. Tie the twine around the nails on each side.

If you're using tape: Work out how many rows of twine you want and where you want them. Tape a piece of twine to one side and then use a ruler to find the point on the opposite side where it should be taped.

Step 4: Use wooden pegs to attach photos, postcards or anything else you want to display.

I hope you like it!

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Molly

Stuff I Luff #6

Here's what I've been loving this week.. there seems to be a strong food theme, but oh well, it is Easter!

These gorgeous decorated eggs made by one of my favourite bloggers, Jen from Earl Grey:

Oh So Lovely's sweet potato and peanut soup has me wishing for cooler days!

How fab is this bed??


Some yummies:

Cookies by A Sweet Baker / Sundae by A Cup of Jo

Loving this lace decoupage DIY! Looks super easy, its one I will have no reason not to try!

One last thing-the most amazing wedding invitation ever on Always Rooney

I hope you're all having a lovely Easter! The hubby's away on a surfing trip, and I've been doing crazy amounts of study, drinking tea non-stop and having plenty of cuddle time with Smudge.

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Molly

New York dreaming

Sometimes when I sleep I dream of living in a loft in New York.. an old industrial-type building that has been converted into an open-plan apartment.  

Of course, when I wake up and find myself in a small-town cottage, the logical thing to do is extend my dream by turning to the ever-faithful Pinterest.  Pinterest is basically a place where dreams are at your fingertips, an online pinboard of hope and inspiration.  Is it just me who is addicted?

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9

Which is your fave? I love number 7, I love the way the red brick contrasts with the softness of the bed.

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Molly

Stuff I Luff #4

Lots of pretty things have caught my eye this week:

1. So pretty

2. Loving this gorgeous Easter-themed centrepiece

3. I NEED this dress (see how I styled it for this week's Friday Fancies)

4. Wish this pretty workspace was mine

5. I need to get some of this lace tape NOW! It would use it for everything.

6. Loving this chalkboard furniture DIY from hello there! house

7. How gorgeous is this floral lamp from Vintage Home?

8. Wish this yummy rustic peach tart was on my dining table tonight!

Also loving:

These handy portrait photography tips by Jenni from Jarfly featured on Here Comes the Sun

Its been a busy weekend for us, I hope you guys are having much more fun than I am!  

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Molly

DIY Vintage Teacup Candles

What you'll need:
800g  candle wax (makes three teacup candles)
Fragrance oil
Candle wicks
Skewers
Vintage teacups and saucers
Heat-proof bowl
Pan



What to do:

First, you need to place the wicks into the teacups.  To keep them in place, make a sweet little tool out of skewers - hold two skewers together and tape each end.  Then sit the wick in between the two skewers.

Measure out the wax into the heatproof bowl and set it over a pan filled with boiling water on the heat.

When the wax has melted, add the fragrance oil.  The amount depends on the quality of the oil and how scented you want the candles to be, but usually a couple of tablespoons is enough.

Pour the wax into the teacups and make sure the wick is in the centre.  

Wait for the candle wax to set and then cut the wick to size.  

Now you're ready to enjoy your candles!  I love the lovely french vanilla scent of mine.

Check back tomorrow for my February sponsor giveaway - lots of great prizes!

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Molly

Corners of my home: Bathroom

Our bathroom is small and has only one little cupboard, so I try to make the most of the little space we have.  Instead of trying to jam everything into the cupboard, I put everyday items on display, (yes, even toilet paper).  Store them in pretty bowls and glass jars to make a feature out of them!   

A big bathroom with plenty of storage space is definitely on the must-have list for our next place.

We picked up the white frame at a second-hand store for about $20, it's one of my best finds yet I think.

You can view my Corners of my home: Bedroom post here.

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Molly

Corners of my home: Bedroom

Some sneak peaks of our bedroom.

How to get the look:

The 'LOVE'sign is simply made of wooden letters that have been covered with scrapbook paper.

The plates have been collected from op shops for next to nothing, and are just blu-tacked to the wall (I can't resist a good plate wall!).  I tried to get some plates that were a unique shape, and mixed them in with plainer ones!