Cottage Style Home Decorating: 10 Tips for Memorable Memorabilia

A "homey" cottage look can be created byto match your décor. I have done this and
showcasing some of your favorite memorabilia inhave received many compliments on my display.
creative ways.6. Grandma's Shadowbox. Use a ready-made shadow
10 Tips:box to frame and display Grandma's old hankie,
1. Postcard Pleasure. Frame favorite postcards incrocheted doily, glasses, etc. A velvet background
"floating glass frames" so you can see both sides ofmakes an elegant touch.
the card. You can place several postcards in an7. Creative Coffee Table. Purchase a coffee table
overlapping design in one large frame, or frame themthat has a glass top with space underneath to display
individually and hang several frames together.your favorite collectibles. Place small seashells,
2. Shell Chic. Shells collected from your travels or thepostcards, spoons, or any other collectible there for
local beach make wonderful decorative memories. Putclear viewing.
them in a large clear glass "lemonade jar" with a lid,8. Blow-Up Bliss. Enlarge an old photo to poster size
display them on your fireplace mantel, or arrangeand frame in an antique looking frame for an
some along with some colored rocks or plain coloredinteresting piece of art.
Christmas ornaments to add color to a room.9. Wicker Wonder. Purchase wicker baskets lined
3. Card Cozy. Get all those greeting cards that friendswith pretty print fabric and store old love letters and
and family have given you over the years out of thegreeting cards in them.
attic. Put them in a variety of frames and hang them10. Photo Box Finesse. Purchase colorful photo boxes
together in a hallway or stairway for a lovely " artfound at craft stores in prints that match your
gallery" effect.décor and use them to store old photos,
4. Scrumptious Scrapbooks. Make a colorfulletters, and greeting cards. They stack well for
scrapbook for each child in your family. Include schoolstorage and the variety of colors and patterns will
certificates, photos, and other life mementos. Useadd charm to your room's décor.
beautiful albums that will be a decorative touch on aLook around your home for some clever ways to
coffee table.display your family's memorabilia and give your
5. Bulletin Board Beauty. Purchase a huge bulletincottage some personal creative flair on a dollarwise
board for a hallway and post photos of your family,budget.c2006 Kathryn Bechen. All rights reserved
travels, and life events. It makes a colorful and funworldwide.
conversation piece. You can paint the wooden border