| A collection is not, for example, a set of dishes | | | | up the mess. Clutter makes it difficult to |
| that you buy in a box at WalMart or | | | | distinguish trash from treasure.Grouping several |
| Bloomingdale's. You may have a very fine set of | | | | like objects together allows the eye to rest and |
| dishes, but they are not a collection. If you were | | | | the collection to be appreciated. When it gets so |
| a "West Wing" fan, you may remember Michael | | | | crowded people are making a game of counting |
| Douglas in his role as the President of the United | | | | them, something has gone awry. Objects need to |
| States call the West Wing China Collection the | | | | be well-displayed and have some relationship one |
| "dish room." Well, the "dishes" in that example are | | | | to the other. For instance, a kitchen with old iron |
| a "collection.If you have a fabulous set of | | | | pots to antique silver spoons can make a series |
| Wedgewood China displayed in your china closet, | | | | of great collections in the same room because |
| it is still not a collection. The operative word here | | | | their relationship is they are kitchen utensils.A |
| is "set." "Collection" is just what it implies--you | | | | good rule of thumb is "less is more." Stash away |
| have carefully or not so carefully collected similar | | | | some of your collections and swap them out |
| objects from various places at various times. | | | | when you find yourself walking past what once |
| They don't necessarily have to be of great value. | | | | was a coveted treasure and now goes all but |
| They may not even be beautiful. They may only | | | | noticed. It makes your collection even more |
| have some significance to you. Two objects are | | | | important and surprising. It will, also, spruce up |
| not a collection. In other words, a vintage salt and | | | | your space and visitors will think you have |
| pepper set on the back of a range does not | | | | redecorated.Connie LeGendre empowers |
| make a collection. Three, four or a half dozen salt | | | | homeowners designing their interiors through |
| and pepper sets displayed on a shelf could be the | | | | e-courses and newsletters. Do-it-yourself |
| beginning of a collection. A half dozen no name | | | | homeowners are encouraged to ask questions |
| purses hung on a hall tree is not a collection. | | | | about their projects when signed up for a Free, |
| Three or more Judith Lieber purses sitting almost | | | | downloadable e-course, "7 New Secrets to |
| anywhere is a collection.When does a collection | | | | Unleashing the Designer in You," at trained |
| become clutter? In interior design,clutter is when | | | | architect and interior designer, fifteen years |
| you have too many disparate objects or things | | | | teaching and running her design business with |
| spread about so little or no surface has been | | | | high-end clients demanding cost-effective and |
| untouched, regardless of their beauty, value or | | | | unique solutions, Ms. LeGendre brings that |
| significance to you. Clutter is when you get | | | | considerable background to her online tips, |
| comments from friends, family, and acquaintances | | | | information, solutions, and Q&A website. The |
| such as, "You have some interesting things," in | | | | mission is to help translate financially out-of-reach |
| that quizzical manner that implies they don't know | | | | design into affordable creations for anyone who |
| what to make of it all. Or, "Your house looks lived | | | | wants to do it themselves. |
| in." In other words, you haven't had time to pick | | | | |