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