Q: Dear Christopher:

In all your books, I love the way you display things so well. I'm all thumbs, but want to make what I own, too! Any tips? Alison in Nevada

A: DearAlison:

What you're referring to is what I call the art of merchandizing. When I was just starting out, many of my jobs in New York (between theater engagements) were in department stores. The success of my display work and my very employment was measured by how much of what I displayed sold. So I had to learn how to transform the most mundane things into had-to-have objects of desire. Next time you're at your favorite boutique, look closely at the displays rather the individual objects themselves. There's a wealth of ideas you can glean from the pros. It's why we often buy something that looked amazing in the store, but we couldn't figure out why we bought it once we got it home.

When merchandising your own home keep a few things in mind:

When in doubt, do less. Not every surface has to be littered with stuff. And by the same token, not everything that you own needs to be visible. So build your display with creative abandon first then begin the edit process by taking away anything that feels overdone or visually confusing.

Understand that part of the art of display is telling a story, which can be done in various ways. Several things clustered together by either variations on the same color, or the same theme always works. If it's a trip to Paris, tell the best part of that story. If you have collected several pieces of pottery that are similar in color, group them together so that the viewer knows it's a collection.

Think in terms of scale. A few large accessories judiciously placed will have far more impact in a room interior than a lot of little stuff scattered everywhere-what I call room dandruff. Smaller things like a spoon collection or a tiny decorative box collection should be mounted together (perhaps in a shadow box or on a picture ledge).

Don't begin the display process until you're sure that everything you're using tells the story accurately. Make sure what you choose to visibly have around you are all things that you have a real connection to. Because if it's junk to you, it will be viewed as junk by others. But if it's something that you adore, that makes you smile and reflects your personality, it will have the same effect on others, too.

Find things that put objects on various lifts and levels. Wooden cubes, covered boxes, stacks of books and the like will help bring visual interest to your displays.

Remember that a home is a work in progress. I have several areas in my home that I've re-merchandised several times over months of time until I got it right and it pleased my eye. It's my house and my story.

If you truly are determined and really think about everything you have, it's amazing how that thought process will make those objects smile. Most of all, have fun and be confident. After all, by themselves they're just objects. It's what you do with them that elevates the ordinary to extraordinary.

 

Q: Dear Christopher:

My aging mother, who lives alone, has turned into a real packrat. It makes me crazy every time I visit her. Her place used to be so lovely but now it's out of control. What should I do? Connie in Savanna

A: Dear Connie:

If your mother acknowledges that she's a packrat and hates it, have her read my book The Seven Layers of Organization. (To order, click here.) We've received so many letters from folks who've said that this book changed their lives. However, if she loves and cherishes every little thing she has around her, then it's you who has to recognize that it's her home, her memories, her story, her stuff and her life...so back off. As long as she's not infringing on anyone else, she has the right to be as sentimental as she wishes.