Clever Country: Collections

Ideas for decorating your home with your favorite things.

More from Country Style
Filed under: Country Style, Dinnerware, Pottery, Art, Decorating, Design Style, Crafts

Coastal Living magazine's Cathy Still Johnson scattered collections throughout the magazine's Design Idea house, located in the Frangista community in Destin, Florida. From the serious to the not-so-serious, these decorative accents can finish out a room.

If you don't have a collection already started, here are some suggestions:

A themed plate collection is a good starting point for the novice collector. The pieces can either feature a similar design in the center, all be of one color or shade or all be from a particular manufacturer — it's your call. Then look for pieces at discount stores, flea markets, garage sales and consignment shops to fill out your collection.

A pottery collection can not only be decorative but functional as well. You may decide to collect only a certain type of pottery, like olive jars, or collect only pieces made by a certain manufacturer, like Fiesta ware. And remember, the pieces don't have to be antique — a good source for finding unique pottery is at a local art fair where up-and-coming artisans are producing new pieces based on established techniques.