In perfect keeping

Whether they’re treasured collections, family photographs or just random pieces and knick-knacks accumulated over the years, they give our homes character and reveal a little of our personality and taste.

It could be argued that their value is more than merely visual decoration. The sight of an ornament or photo which triggers a pleasing memory can lift our spirits or simply enhance that satisfying feeling that we’re “home”.

Displaying our possessions to the best effect is well worthwhile, but all too often they end up rooted in the same place for years – with the result that familiarity can dull their effect.

“Paying a little attention to display can reap huge rewards,” says Geraldine James, whose new book Creative Display gives a fascinating glimpse into homes where the predictable is avoided and possessions are arranged artfully, innovatively and quirkily.

“It takes a little courage to be individual in a home, but once you’ve taken the leap you’ll have a place which will be interesting, appealing and have eye-catching talking point features.”

We may not all have a collection of antique alabaster busts, unique artwork, vintage wooden toys or stuffed birds and gilded candlesticks - just some of the objects featured in her book - but our own personal effects can be just as interesting and valued.

“I always advise people to start by looking at things in a different way and experimenting,” says James, who is home buying manager at Selfridges and well-versed in both the effect beautiful objects can have on rooms and the necessity to show them off well.

“Set aside time to clear shelves or surfaces in one room, put everything into one place so you can decide if you want to edit, move or discard items.

“Then try positioning them around your home until you start to see shapes or interesting groupings emerging. Feel free to put away one set of things for a while so that you can bring more impact to others by allowing them more space to be seen.”

Just a small re-arrangement can make a room look completely different and, she points out, is far more economical than redecorating.

“Creative display is simply about enhancing living spaces and occasions and making the most of every object in the home,” says James. Here’s her advice on how to let your possessions take centre stage.

If your preference is for pared-back style and uncluttered living spaces, you may have never considered collecting. But intriguing groupings of objects can look even more striking in such rooms.

“Why not try your hand at starting a small collection of objects that you love?” says James.

“It could be virtually anything, and the pieces could be new, old or retro. As you acquire different pieces, sit them together and you will see your style emerge.

“There’s a wealth of objects to choose from whether it’s modern or vintage perfume bottles for a bathroom, jugs for a kitchen, or unusual shaped vases for a living area.”

Books often reside for years on shelves, and while they may give background colour and character, they can play a much bigger part in decoration.

Give your books a decorative role by picking out all those in a certain colour to get a theme going, or consider using a stack of them as a plinth for an antique candlestick or a vase of flowers.

A small pile of books on a coffee table or occasional table is a cosy touch in a room, and even magazines, with their covers facing outwards, can have impact lined up next to each other on a shelf.

Matching their colour to your decor will not only make them harmonise but also give the room unexpected depth.

“Recognise beauty in imperfection and appreciate unusual or even unique qualities in run-of-the-mill objects,” says James. “It’s about having fun and celebrating everyday objects which can look wonderful if unpredictably displayed. Such inventiveness will immediately give your home a unique and rare quality.”

So there’s no need to discard a china dinner set which may be incomplete, worn or chipped. It could be a feature displayed on open shelves or in a display cabinet.

Even utility vintage kitchen utensils can look distinctive hung up or mounted on a shelf, and a selection of woven baskets make interesting storage.

Old picture frames can be hung empty, bringing the focus on to their decorative detail, or pictures salvaged from sales and auctions can line a wall.

“The heart of the home is the family table – and generally a hub of activity, used for everything from meals to homework,” says James. “While it can’t be over-cluttered, the area around it can be exploited to add to its atmosphere.

“Enhance it with paintings hung on the wall nearest to it, or a folding screen turning it into a private area.

Paint chairs and table to match a feature wall, and then add a contrasting splash of colour with a distinctive vase.

Creative Display: Inspiring Ideas To Make Every Surface Beautiful by Geraldine James is published by Cico Books, priced £19.99. Readers can buy it at the special price of £17.99 including p&p. Call 01256 302 699 quoting GLR7KE. www.cicobooks.co.uk