I am sometimes surprised at some of the things that people collect. As an Interior Designer I visit a lot of homes, and get to see firsthand a lot of collections – some regular stuff, and other times, very unique items.
If you have ever seen the TV show Hoarders, you will see the down-side to collecting. This is where people are trying to fill some emotional void or fear in their life by accumulating stuff that overruns their home. According to some studies, in some cases, that same mechanism may be at work with people who have large collections of things. One example could be a grown woman who has an excessively large collection of dolls.This might suggest that she is trying to make up for lost play time when she was young, or maybe feelings of not enough love and attention
I am not suggesting that everyone who collects things have an emotional imbalance. Most people collect for the sheer joy of it…especially when it is tastefully displayed in their home. But whatever it is that you collect does say something about your personality at the very least.
There are so many fun things you can collect. I think it is a great hobby. Whether you are into dolls, action figures, stamps, buttons or white plates (like me) it is fair to say that everybody collects something, even if they don’t realize it
You may be drawn to a certain thing or object and seem to buy it every chance you get without realizing you are building a collection. No matter if you collect something strange, odd, unique, funny or rare, it says a lot about what you care about. How far you are willing to go to protect and care for your collection says a lot more about you.
I have seen everything from comic books, to salt and pepper shakers, cookie jars, vintage tools, Betty Boop, to bobble heads, and each time I can see a personality trait that aligns somewhat with their collection.
So what do you think I collect?
I have always been drawn to white plates and platters with unique but delicate shapes and designs. They don’t have to be vintage necessarily, I just love details and the clean look of white. If I am out shopping and I spot one (or a few), I bring it home and put it away in a kitchen cabinet where it sits and really never gets used.
Recently during my move into a new home and a new design studio for my business, I realized that I have quite a bit of mis-matched plates and I need to find a way to use and display them. With a bunch of empty walls to fill in my design studio, I decided to hang a few where I can enjoy them instead of having them locked away in cabinets.
I started today and only got three up so far. It was harder than I thought and I now see that one of them is crooked 
I will be sharing pictures when I get the rest up. Fingers crossed that I don’t break any
My design studio is actually an old historical Victorian house built in 1905 so the plates actually work perfectly for the vintage, shabby chic with an industrial twist approach that I am trying to capture.
The plates pictured above are three of my favorites. I especially love the one at the bottom with the birds.
I am also drawn to bird figurines & motifs and birdcages and always seem to buy them
In this picture that I shared on another blog post recently, you can see three of my many bird figurines.
I still am not sure what these items say about my personality, but I am open to hearing your thoughts
I also collect design magazines and design books…….I literally have hundreds. They are just sitting on the floor of my living room for now until I get my built-in bookcases done. I am hoping soon.
Now it’s your turn……
What do you collect and do you think it shows your personality?
Leave me a comment below because I know I am not alone
Be Inspired!
Veronica Solomon, Casa Vilora Interiors
VeronicaSolomon.com
Hanging plates sounds like a clever way to add something a little different to your empty wall space. I like it.
As I’m building my business, my “collection” includes all the gear and equipment I need to do my work, along with the props I use for doing demonstrations and presentations.
I love white plates, too – they’re timeless. I’m not sure what I collect; I don’t like having a lot of “stuff” hanging around the house. Maybe Coach bags, camera lenses, and crafting supplies?
I am not a collector at all. My wife throws my things out.
I collect dragonfly stuff. I’m getting to the point of needing to slow down though. lol
I love dragon flies too!
Hanging plates (breakable) on the wall sounds and looks interesting, but, how secure are they? What material are you using to attach them?
I use the round adhesive discs made specifically for hanging plates. They come in several sizes based on the weight of the plate
http://www.amazon.com/Invisible-English-Hanger-Disc-3-Diameter/dp/B000TAQKEG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1392432003&sr=8-4&keywords=plate+hanger+small
Well, I don’t really have a collection. I do have a lovely collection of purses, but I don’t really think that counts. I love classic muscle cars. If they weren’t so expensive, I would be collecting those!
I collect objects with animals –I have a plate collection which is artfully displayed on my dining room wall (by my Mom) depicting mostly canines and a few with kids. Then I also have a collection of small animal figurines which are displayed in my TV cabinet shelves. Gosh-I haven’t added to either of these collections in a long while——-uh oh
I collect sea shells. I know in many cultures it is bad luck but I love how they take me back to where I have been
Also, it reflects my relaxed side I guess
I collect Alice in Wonderland stuff, which probably shows that I’m not a big fan of living in “reality” lol! I also collect books. Again, to escape reality.
To be honest, my collection would probably say I have three rough boys. My kitchen is a Betty Boop theme though which probably says I love retro and sexy things.
Yes. I love Betty Boop too!
One man’s junk is another man’s treasure as the saying goes. I love how you display the things you love
I don’t collect anything that costs money, but I do save a lot of things that have sentimental value. I’m pretty sure I have every single card I’ve ever received.
I collect natural rocks that are sitting at a service table as you walk in my house.
I collect tea pots and antique china. The tea pots are displayed on top of my cabinets, where cats and kids can’t knock them over.
I collect mugs does that count? I used to have lots or ornaments before but they haven’t seemed to have made it out since we moved – thinking about it now makes me miss them I must look them out
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I collect postcards and have them displayed on my wall. Actually, they cover an entire wall in place of wallpaper
That sinus fun Beth! It must be nice reading postcards from years past
Sounds fun not sinus fun. Lol
Collections show so much about your personality and who you are. I appreciate some of the collections I’ve seen over the years, however, I’m not a collector.and I”m OK with that!
We collect a Christmas ornament and a coffee mug from any place we go that is a special trip.
I bet you do see some interesting collections in your line of work!
I absolutely do! Mist are normal stuff. Here in Texas I see a lot of deer heads. The most interesting thing I’ve seen is the bobble head dogs and Hawaiian dancing girls for the dashboard. Lol
I seriously want you to come and decorate my house. I always say this when I read your posts. I will continue to say this until you do LOL. Seriously thank you for the ideas.
I would love to come help you decorate! Are you in Texas?
Everyone that knows me know about my love for owls! And buttons! lol I collect them. I slow down a bit because I don’t want to be like those people on TLC hoarders. I actually watch that show every once in a while to get motivated to get rid of my junk! Your plate collection is beautiful! I wish I could get my hands on some of these cute birds you have!
I’ll be on the look out for the since it’s almost spring
I like the idea of collecting plates:) Those would look so nice hanging in the kitchen. As a child I collected stamps, shells, and rocks. As an adult I cannot say I collect much more than the series of quarters from around the US. I think they are pretty cool!
I love your plates too! Very pretty. I am not a collector of anything. How sad is that. I think it is because of my need for organization and wanting to keep my tables and walls pretty simple.
I have a slight addiction to China and Platters. I never thought about hanging them as decor. Great idea!
Pull them out and get them on the walls where you can enjoy them!
I haven’t seen this done before. Great idea with vintage of heirloom plates to look at instead of just store that you’ll never use.
That’s right Jim. They look so much better on the walls than in the cabinets
I had a collection of milk glass containers. I planted succulents in them and they looked great!! I love the plates!
That’s a great idea! I love when people find great unique uses for the things they collect
I would love to collect a lot of shoes and apparel! I agree.. It can be a source of happy memories when you grow old if you see your collection..
Beautiful.. My collection says I love African and Asiatic arts… Happy Valentine’s Day!
Collection? I have a collection of clutter that are printed out e-books. They’re a clutter because I read them over and over again.
It’s great that you use your collection
Beautiful hanging plates..that looks like a kind of a unique collections, so neat and clean.
I collect craft supplies it seems
We have been remodeling for years so we actually are just putting things on the walls.
Thank you all for your great comments.