10 ways to display your art and collectibles

“We throw in what we like and it usually works,” says Raymond Girard of the home he shares with his partner, Laird Kay. “The house is full of airplanes, maps, trains, collectibles and toys. And it’s colourful. So I guess it probably looks like our bedrooms did growing up — but with better art.” Laird, a photographer-designer, and Raymond, a media executive, were lucky enough to find a house built in the 1900s but recently renovated to their mid-century Mad Men style, making it enough of a blank canvas for them to put their stamp on it. The pair, who have similar tastes, made two notable changes: They installed an 18-foot-long bookcase in which they arranged all their books in a spectrum of colour, and then they painted almost all the white walls a dark grey.

A grey backdrop not only made their rooms seem bigger, but it also allowed their disparate art collections to work together seamlessly. From vintage architectural renderings and a contemporary photography collection to airplane models and toys from their childhoods, all their personal treasures pop on the dark walls.

A mishmash of architectural drawings, found works of art and even sculptures fills the wall above a tufted grey felt sofa. Don’t worry about matching frames or styles; this look is all about playful eclecticism.

Sofa, Elte. Red pillows, Kate Thornley Hall.

 

Whether your passion is toy cars or photography, choose items that make you smile. It doesn’t have to be expensive or valuable to make you happy.

Candlesticks, Unica Home. Rug, Roseland Art and Decoration.

 

Casually rest a framed map, a personal photograph or even a child’s drawing on an office desk. Layer in sculptural objects and a table lamp to complete the vignette. Not every piece of art needs to hang on the wall.

Lamp, HomeSense. Desk, West Elm. Chair, Morba.

 

This swanky open bar set-up could look disorderly, but the repetition of chrome and splashes of yellow make it work.

Bird art, Roseland Art and Decoration. Lamp, Mod Furnishings. Console, EQ3. Tray, West Elm. Wine holder, Hoopers. Yellow table, Kartell.

An ordinary bookcase is transformed into a rainbow of colour when books are arranged by hue.

Chair, Hollace Cluny.

Get more: Seven beautiful ways to display books

 

Hanging paintings too high is one of the most common decorating errors. Artwork should be hung at the right height, so it’s easy for everyone to see: typically between 52 and 56 inches from the floor to the centre of the painting or photograph.

Chandelier, Elte. Table, Era Antiques, 416-535-3305. Rug, Anthropologie.

 

A large-format illustration juxtaposed with toy cars and a collection of vases makes for an interesting take on proportion. Sometimes pairing items of diverse sizes can bring a display to life.

Art by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer.

 

Objects look better when they are assembled en masse rather than scattered around the house. Typically groups of odd numbers — three or five — look best. Aim for a triangular arrangement with the tallest item at the back.

Chair, Gus Modern Furniture. Light, rug, Ikea. Pillow, Dwell Studio.

 

Make your own oversized piece of art by framing a strip of your favourite wallpaper. Or go the extra mile and design your own, as Laird Kay did. This wallpaper is based on photographs he took of airplanes and fashioned into a graphic pattern.

Table, EQ3. Bedding, lamp, West Elm. Wallpaper, Laird Kay Photography and Design.

 

Allow your personal interests to shape what you collect, and then add to your favourites through the years. They could be anything from white pottery to globes or a well-loved collection of magazines. Anything you love can be added to and beautifully arranged.

Lamp, Artemide. Globe, L’atelier, 416-966-0200.

Get more: Eight artsy accessories for your home