Styling Your Kitchen Collectibles for Successful Photographs and Displays

This summer while working on the second edition of my book Hot kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s I spent a lot of time looking for photo contributors. I happily discovered http://www.RetroRevival.etsy.com. Owner Susan takes real care in photographing her charming kitchen collectibles.

Susan, who is a member of http://iantiqueonline.ning.com/ (I am the Editor), has many more of her photos posted on her profile page. For now, I thought I would share some of Susan's lovely photographed kitchen collectibles with you. Using Susan's photos as examples, I hope to help both dealers and collectors learn more about styling and displaying collectibles.

Here are some keys points to assist you when photographing or styling your kitchen treasures.
Select objects of different sizes and shapes to group together. Use vintage linens, hand towels, tablecloths etc. as table coverings or back drops. Be sure the fabric you choose allows the object to stand out and not get lost. Select patterns that have some of the colors in the object you are showcasing. For example in the lemon salt & pepper shakers shown, the floral tablecloth picks up the yellow, but does not compete with the object.
You can stay in the same palette as was done with the coffee cup photos or you can use an opposite color as was done with the flower beverage glass shown. photo. Beverage glasses are hard to photograph so you need to have a solid object, such as the red ball pitcher behind the glass to show off the delicate clear and blue floral glass.

Another very important point which will help your styling in a big way is to stick with the same period of time of items. In other words, use items from the same era. Also use background materials that are compatible with that era. Primary colors work wel together and were 1940's color and early 1950's colors. Pastels dominated the 1950's. If you want to learn more about color palettes for a particular generation, look through old home magazines.

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.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com


Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.