I talked about it a bit in this guest post, but when I was little all 3 of us kids collected something. My sister collected thimbles, my brother collected cars, planes, and trains and I collected makeup compacts. I loved finding unique ones, and acquired quite the collection over the years. For far too long they sat in a closet stuffed between tissue paper in rubbermaid bins. I knew when I had a place of my own I wanted to somehow display them, but not in the Precious Moments curio cabinet kind of way (Can you believe that pricetag?!? I wish my beanie babies had that kind of value!).
I remember hearing that collections should be displayed in groups of 3 or 5, not really all at once, and grouped on a surface with other items. It was probably Nate Berkus who taught me this (I miss that guy’s show!) and while it works well with other objects that can stand on their own – globes, clocks, pottery – this thinking is not as aesthetically pleasing with makeup compacts . I’m not sure what or who inspired me to display the compacts in this way, it was about 5 years ago that I did this, but I still really enjoy them today.
My husband ran the bead board up the walls to the height of the doorway and then finished it off with some crown molding and a trim piece to create a small shelf. The compacts are just propped against the wall. I like that the collection is noticeable, but not in your face. Some guests notice it, some guests don’t. But I know it’s there and see it every morning while my kids brush their teeth and every evening at bath time. I can switch them up or shift them around very easily as well.
What I really love about the collection is the fact that I picked a lot of compacts that personify my personal style today. It’s like I’ve known since I was little what I liked (I collected these roughly between the ages of 6 and 18), even though I could not have verbalized it to you until recently.
The big, navy blue compact made of leather is a favorite.
The orangey red one with the black tassel: so chic.
I think some of these have some value, but as a kid I certainly just collected for the beauty of the pieces. They were made to be functional as makeup became acceptable for women to wear, but knowing that others would see you use the compacts, you wanted something really eye-catching and beautiful. The fact that women really carried their powder around with them everywhere is such a foreign concept to someone who is lucky to wash their face every day. #stayathomemomproblems
Do you collect anything, or have you collected something in the past? Is it something you’re proud of, or is it kind of funny to you now, like my boxes of beanie babies? If you love it, how do you display it?
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Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says
I think that's a beautiful way to display such a unique collection. And I love that the collection has grown over time, you didn't just decide to collect these and run out and find all the compacts you could. We all had collections growing up too, mine were rabbits. I have tons of them but haven't figured out yet the best way to display them.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Elizabeth! A small grouping of rabbits could be really sweet, especially in a kids space!
Kelsey Bankey says
Up until two years ago, I collected piggy banks. I have them from all over the world from different trips that I have taken since high school, but when we moved to our new house, there really was no good way to display them. I have been tossing around the idea of displaying them on a couple shelves in our nursery when we settle on colors but we will see – it may just be a collection that I hand down to kids/grandkids someday.
I also collect Christmas ornaments from every vacation I have taken and place I have been. It started with my grandma buying me an ornament every year beginning with my first Christmas. My mom continued the tradition when my grandma stopped (when we turn 18), but I have supplemented the collection with tokens of my travels and experiences. I absolutely LOVE decorating my tree every year and remembering all the wonderful things I have done so far in life and places that I have been.
Your collection is very unique! I love the way it is displayed too – Nice Work!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Kelsey! Congrats on the baby, so excited for you!!! I definitely think a grouping of your favorite piggy banks would be really lovely in the nursery!
Your ornament collection sounds so fun! That's the great thing about the holidays, I think it makes them more special that you only have them out for a bit…it's something to look forward to and enjoy putting out!
Thanks for sharing, Kelsey!
kelsey williams says
While growing up I collected (and still do, actually) paper napkins. I have TONS of them in a box in my basement, and they are all different. I have no idea how to display these, but I would love to do it somehow. Thoughts?
I also started a globe collection recently. And also lanterns. I love how both of those look, but it is a little tricky figuring out how to display them in a way that is not tacky 🙂
themakerista@gmail.com says
Kelsey, I love all of these!
I think the paper napkins would look amazing framed and displayed in a gallery grouping! Are they mostly the square size ? Doesn't Ikea have good prices on square frames? How appropriate would a grouping of your favorites be in your kitchen or dining space….or any wall for that matter. Maybe one of your hallways?
I've always wanted a globe collection. 🙂 I think they look really great on the top of kitchen cabinets.
Here's a bunch of ideas:
http://pinterest.com/pin/169025792235416270/
http://pinterest.com/pin/278378820688158572/
http://pinterest.com/pin/257620041157199642/
http://pinterest.com/pin/231442868320261463/
http://pinterest.com/pin/128211920613894196/
The lanterns could look really cool on your cabinets too, or clustered on your front porch or deck, if you have a bunch of different sizes. Or around your fireplace?
Sarah Powell says
I love this collection! And I love that wall color behind them, makes them pop! What color is it? I must know 🙂
themakerista@gmail.com says
Sarah, the color is Seal Grey by Glidden. It's in their Evermore line (which I don't know that they make anymore, but I'm sure they still have that color. It's an eggshell finish. Thanks so much for your kind words!
Iliyana Licheva says
cool!
http://glamourgirl-bg.blogspot.com/
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Iliyana!
Autumn Beach says
Sadly, I have never collected. And I'm pretty sure that if I ever did, my subject would not have been as cool as your compacts. Probably would have veered toward the Beanie Baby side. Ha! I love your compacts and how you display them. And I LOVE that you can see your style woven into these compacts…even throughout your childhood. So cool. Get out of town with that Precious Moments curio cabinet! Who would have guessed?! I've never been a fan. But I HAVE been to the Precious Moments Chapel in Carthage, MO. And YES…I miss Nate. SO much. Sigh.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Well, Autumn, it wasn't necessarily cool when I was little. 🙂 Ha! My mom collected precious moments, so they have some memories for me, but I hear ya there. Thanks for commenting!
Sherri says
I have a vintage evening bag collection that I display in a two-tiered stand in my foyer. The stand has brown metal framework with scrolled legs. The top, where the evening bags are layered, is like a glass box framed by metal, so you can see the display looking down and from the sides. I have a small capiz shell lamp on top of it, and at night when it's turned on, it reflects down, so you see the collection illuminated. I used to carry them more, but they don't accommodate cell phones very well! I also collect vintage jewelry, especially necklaces which I wear all the time. Even with jeans! Your compact collection is amazing, and I love how you display it. You certainly had sophisticated taste at a young age!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Sherri, that sounds beautiful! I really love vintage bags and have quite a bit of costume jewelry. I don't know if you saw the post on my daughter's room or not, but I have one of my great, great grandmother's bags hanging on her bulletin board. I love seeing it displayed, just as I'm sure you enjoy looking at your bags. Thanks so much for reading and sharing!
Anonymous says
Your collection is beautiful, Gwen! I have also collected since I was a young girl, receiving my first music box at age five. I recently discovered them packed away and had always thought I would pass them to my children. I have two girls, nine and five, and it was so special to give them the music boxes I had collected over the years. Some are collector's items, some are from overseas, and some are from family members who have passed. I'm sure none are worth anything but the special memories of who I received them from is priceless! – Jennifer
themakerista@gmail.com says
That is so neat, Jennifer! I'm sure one day they will cherish them the way you have. I really look forward to passing a lot of things down to my daughter, Milly. First up is my American Girl doll and all that goes with her! I have more of that then I care to divuldge. 🙂 I can't wait for Milly to have her and hopefully take good care of her. Thanks for sharing, Jennifer!
Julia Konya says
This is so unique and I love how you have it displayed!
Shavonda says
Oh I just adore this! What a fun collection and a awesome way to display them. Now everytime I see a vintage makeup case Im going to think of you:)