The world is full of countless decorative elements and fleeting décor trends; it’s easy to lose sight of what makes a home truly personal. I was thinking about this as we begin to enter the height of the holiday season. What do I want/need? What do my loved ones really want/need? Among everything we have, what really makes us happy?
This holiday season, before you ask for something new, take a moment to look around and notice what you currently have and love. You might be surprised! Maybe it’s a small grouping of vintage mugs, a handful of old postcards, or the way one beautiful object has quietly multiplied into many over the years. Those are collections—and in design, they’re one of the most meaningful ways to tell your story.
A collection isn’t just about sheer quantity; it’s about connection. Each piece carries a memory. A trip, a friend, a favorite era, a hobby that’s outlasted the others, and together they create a snapshot of your aesthetic identity. Where clutter feels accidental, a collection feels intentional. A collection of what you love will reflect curiosity and appreciation, not accumulation for its own sake.
Picture a wall where woven hats of every shade and texture overlap in quiet rhythm; straw, felt, wool – each one catching light a little differently. Or imagine a wooden shelf lined with enamel teapots in every color: deep cherry red, faded blue, soft cream. The effect and color arrangements are not loud or contrived; it’s joyful and deeply personal. Anyone entering the space will think, “Wow, this is something they really care about.” There is something about a perfectly curated collection that makes us smile every time.
Before buying something new, ask yourself what you’d like to grow, not just what you’d like to own. Expanding on an existing passion — whether it’s mid-century glassware, hand-thrown pottery, a vinyl jazz collection, or a vintage cookbook — adds emotional depth to your home. It’s an antidote to the “more is better” mindset that fills space but not spirit.
What is important to remember is that when you collect, you will need to edit! We become curators of our own surroundings. Over time, a well-chosen collection brings visual harmony through repetition of shapes, colors, or materials. The eye finds comfort in patterns like the soft sheen of copper, the creamy glaze of ceramic, or the patina of something loved and used.
What makes a collection design-worthy is not its price tag, but its presence. Here are a few timeless categories that fit naturally into a well-curated home:
Collections like these add personality without excess. They make your home feel layered, lived-in, and true to you.
As a long-experienced interior paint consultant and color specialist, I know that color is the quiet unifier of any great collection. A row of vintage bottles in varying greens creates harmony through hue, while a mix of neutral ceramics feels grounded in tone. Even eclectic displays work when color and texture tie them together and repetition gives them rhythm.
As the holidays approach, think about gifting or asking for something that adds to what already brings you joy. Adding to a passion, whether it’s two new coffee pots for your growing display or another piece of artisan glassware, is entirely different from acquiring some random doo-dad for the sake of the gesture. It’s the difference between collecting and cluttering, between curating and hoarding. The best part of it, whether you are gift-giving or buying for yourself, is that it’s about adding to a personal collection; it couldn’t be more rewarding!
A home built around collections feels more like you. It celebrates not just the things you own, but the life you’ve lived and the stories you continue to tell!
