China, Pottery, Glass: Showcasing Home Collections

By J. A. Young

Half the fun of collecting is showing off your finds in your home. China, pottery and glass objects can be both highly functional and decorative features of the house. Whether confined to one room or added throughout the house, there are some great ways to showcase these items to their best advantage for the enjoyment and use of all.

Cabinets and Shelving

Cabinetry and shelves are the most common ways to store these items. However, if you want to show your collections off, then cabinetry with glass-paneled doors is in order. Cabinets are ideal for expensive items like china. The glass allows the items to be visible, but protects them from dust. Shelves can be installed anywhere—even a foot from the ceiling. A lip on the edge of the shelf will help keep items from slipping off. Shelved items will require frequent dusting however.

Room Displays

The kitchen is the most obvious place for collections of teacups, saucers, serving platters and all sorts of dishes whether they are china or glass. Built-in units of shelves are ideal when fitted to suit specific collections, but such features are not a must. Any shelf will do—and there are always plate hooks to consider for the walls, but these are generally used for strictly decorative items.

Yet, more and more, plates and similar “kitchen” items are making their way into other rooms—the dining room china cabinet is not surprising, but a living room may even feature a cabinet display of pottery: water jugs, vases, interesting bowls or plates. Glass is a great way to add pizzazz to a living room—and it need not be expensive crystal. A collection of colored glass bottle and vases can add visual appeal to a living room or even a bathroom.

Creative, Practical Displays

Also, keep in mind that these items can be used. Displaying them as a collection is fine, but actually seeing them in use will bring them to life. Rather than leaving that Waterford crystal basket vase in a hutch, set it out on the dining room table with a bouquet of garden flowers. Look for interesting shapes—even a flea market find of a colored glass candy bowl can make for a great accent whether filled with jelly beans or potpourri.

Eclectic collections of pottery and glass can also make for exciting décor. An oddly-carved pedestal may make an attractive fruit platter for raspberries. An array of Chinoiserie, that is, Oriental items can be an exciting collection. Or, consider showcasing a single color collection. A shelving unit full of red china and glass items makes a stunning statement—perfect for holiday use.

While many decorating items are simply items to behold, collections of china, pottery and glass are infused with life—the stuff can actually be used as well as look good. Whether you mix and match your items or separate your collections, showing them off and using them is a terrific way to decorate and collect at the same time.