Arranging Your Antiques and Collectibles to Look Like "Still Life" Paintings

I enjoy visiting antique shops and paying attention to how antiques and collectibles are showcased . I am particularly drawn to three dimensional displays which resemble "still life" paintings. Why do some set ups remind me of a painting and others do not? In my mind some displays seem to be vignettes which have an artsy quality about them, breaking the two dimensional barrier . These creative "works of art" take into consideration many elements of good design and seem to grab the viewer with delight.
Both Trade Winds Antiques, Forestville, CT and The Seymour Antiques Company of Seymour, CT are especially successful at setting up "still life" inspired arrangements. In these kind of mixed media antique displays, the carefully created composition seems to come to life. Inanimate everyday objects are arranged in a playful or unique way. Often there is a mixing of objects which may not necessarily go together such as grouping the ordinary with the peculiar or creating a whimsical blend of old with new or arranging similar objects with attention to form, shape or color.

These type of "still life" displays stand out among the rest. You tend to stop and look at these creative arrangements. Characteristically these set-ups are simple, uncluttered and consistent with minimalist style. Here is where simple is
your goal.
Photographs courtesy of Trade Winds Antiques, Forestville, CT.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

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