I guess I don't have any specific collections that warrant a curio cabinet (not really my style anyway), but I like to put things like that on a bookshelf, mixed in with the books. For example, I have a small collection (maybe 8 or so) of small bulldog statues. The tallest one is only maybe 3" high, so they don't take up a lot of space. I have them lined up on the top shelf of a large bookcase, peering over the edge. I have a lot of little souvenirs from traveling -- silly things like mini Eiffel towers, shells, a bowl of stones from Big Sur -- and those I have on bookshelves too.

Just some examples of groupings

Jim

Jim, you have some beautiful things!

I don't really collect anything, but did group these silver pieces and frame them.

This looks better in person and when the glass is clean.

I also have a small grouping of crystal.

LOL - I do have some very nice things, but the pics above are random one I found.

Here's one of my Staff dog collection

I'm curious about this too. We have very few tchotchkes out, I mean collectibles :), although we have a bunch in boxes. We don't put most of them out bc we can't figure out a way to have them out in a way that doesn't create entire areas of the house where the kids can't go in for fear of breaking things. I marvel at the beautiful spaces in all the home mags, but one of the first things that come to mind is that I couldn't have 80% of the accessories out. For example, picture books (or anything for that matter) on coffee tables, that beautiful display of blue and white china wouldn't survive a day at our house, a chinese garden stool. I have managed to put things on pieces of furniture that are on the permiter of a room as long as it is fairly high up. We have finally decided to order a curio (it's really a nice looking glass fronted cabinet); so that we can put some of our nicer stuff out with a small bit of protection between them and our kids! For those who have little kids, how do you do it?

mbarstow,

Thank you for posting this question as I'm dealing with something similar, but the location is my kitchen and my brain is fried from trying to figure out where to display and my legs are weak from going up and down the ladder a million times trying to get the display to look somewhat like I didn't just throw it all up there.

I hope you get a bazillion replies......I'm selfish....I'll benefit too! :)

For those of you who have posted examples of displays....wow, beautiful!!!!

I don't have a curio cabinet (nor does anyone I know). I've never seen one "styled" well. Is it possible to have one that doesn't look "old lady-ish" (not asking to be rude, but genuinely curious)? I just remember the one my Grandma had that was packed full of every piece of china and figurine she had. And it looked very "old lady-ish"!

I always thought this one was well styled with the collection of Imari pieces.

My mom has a series of very similar Lenox vases that were always displayed right in a row across the mantle piece, a series of boxes displayed together and paperweights. These don't follow any of the rules of small/medium/large, high/low, groups of three or anything and I always thought it looked fine. The mantle gets about 40 similar Santas at Christmas.

I have nearly seventy danish modern candlesticks on one chest and a number of other similar with slight variations collections just placed together and most people seem to like it. Try your figurines ranged across the mantle or marching down the middle of a table and see how it works.

That is NOT what my grandma's looked like! How lovely! What style of furniture is that (with the six-sided design)? Granny's looked more like this (only take the contents times 10!)

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

gobruno, my kids are grown, but it is with 20/20 hindsight :) that I can assure you you are not a bad parent if you either keep certain things put away for this time in your life, or at least out of reach. I am sure there are many, many parents out there whose children can be properly instructed to not disturb things but my kids have turned out pretty much all right and I was driven half-way nuts trying to keep their hands off stuff. I gave up and put things out of reach. Whew.

gobruno- wait until they grow up into bigger kids.:)

Chijim- I now stop and look at every Staffordshire dog I see but havent found a pair yet that I can afford.
love your layering and the random layering photos you give us.

Thanks for all the pictures, and suggestions. Boy, a lot of you have beautiful collections. I tried grouping 6 of the 8 figurines (8 in. tall) on a table surrounding a lamp. What do you think? My biggest problem with this arrangement--we babysit our 18 month-old grandson 2 days a week and I can just see the day he will want to stack them into one of his trucks.

JMO, but having them circling the lamp looks too cute-sy. And no, I wouldn't leave them there on baby-sitting days. Eek!!

Unless it's pairs - things usually look best displayed in odd numbers--it gives them more interest.

Since it looks like you have a more trad room - For part of your collection I would suggest putting them on wall brackets to display.

On the table, I wouldn't use more than 3 and put at least two on some kind of higher riser, be it a few hardcover books, a marble/plexi riser, small pedestal cake plate, candleholer--I've even used old brass lamp bases too.
Tallest in back, lowest in front.

For the lowest one - maybe put that on a mirror, small tray, plate that coordinates with color of figurine.

Also, there's a product called Museum Wax, you take a bead or several and "glue" the object to whatever it's sitting on to give them a little more protection from GS.
I use it because I have cats - it's also used where earthquakes are can occur.
BTW - Its not permanent,

Jim

chijim: That is a BEAUTIFULLY styled curio cabinet!!!! I love the addition of the books which pick up the colors in the china! Very elegant!

Perfect visual balance of color, pattern and texture!

Thanks so much for sharing your photos! Love the Staff dogs! Elegant and charming!

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

mbarstow: Consider having just one figurine -- the one at the front of the lamp in the photo -- with the simple blue dress. The color picks up the color in the lamp. Place her on a leather-bound book in blues. Simple -- and easy to remove when the grandkids visit! :)

Stash the other ones in the cabinet in the photo -- follow a few of the ideas in the curio-cabinet photo posted by chijim ..... :)

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

Thanks again everyone. I agree with the comment that having them all together looks too cute-sy!. Plus too many to move when children are in the area. I already bought two wall brackets and like the idea that Jim also suggested it. My cabinet is stuffed with china and crystal. Does anyone else feel we've "over-stuffed" our lives with stuff?

I'm just glad to find someone else who likes figurines like I do, the kind you have.

Mine are in a curio cabinet. Between my cats and 2 yr. old grandson who visits, I can't set any out. But OTOH I love the look of figurines in a curio cabinet. It reminds me of my childhood when I saw them as a little girl in other's curio cabinets!

I believe that many of us are "over-stuffed" with decorative objects and I'm buying less as time goes on as I can't seem to decide what I want to eliminate.

I cannot display all my collectibles so have a lot stored behind doors and rotate. I try not to collect tiny things as they are more difficult to keep from looking cluttered.

If I had as many ?Royal Doulton figurines as you do mbarstow, I'd probably keep some of them in a china cabinet interspersed with dishes. They are lovely but like many collections too many can be a bit overwhelming. When displayed with other objects it's less so. At one time I thought of collecting these as they are lovely.

Another possibility would be to have many in a china cabinet in your bedroom or another private part of your home. That way you can enjoy them without the collection appearing overwhelming in areas visitors see.

jim--thanks for the mention of museum wax...never occured to me there was such a product! (we have a curious kitty who loves to experiment with gravity!)

I believe that many of us are "over-stuffed" with decorative objects and I'm buying less as time goes on as I can't seem to decide what I want to eliminate.

I cannot display all my collectibles so have a lot stored behind doors and rotate. I try not to collect tiny things as they are more difficult to keep from looking cluttered.

If I had as many ?Royal Doulton figurines as you do mbarstow, I'd probably keep some of them in a china cabinet interspersed with dishes. They are lovely but like many collections too many can be a bit overwhelming. When displayed with other objects it's less so. At one time I thought of collecting these as they are lovely.

Another possibility would be to have many in a china cabinet in your bedroom or another private part of your home. That way you can enjoy them without the collection appearing overwhelming in areas visitors see.

Chijim...you have an amazing way of putting things together!