A “collection” as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is “an accumulation of objects gathered for study, comparison, exhibition or as a hobby”.

I remember a journalist once asked me about a design project of mine, and he was concerned about what collection(s) my client had. Once I told him my client was not a shopper and had no collections, he was no longer interested in featuring the home in his magazine. I’m not as concerned with my clients’ collections or lack there of, but I did an inventory of my own collection immediately— would my home’s interiors and my collections be worthy?

Collections should be fun and meaningful. A great collection to start with is one of Santas. Collecting different styles, different sizes, Santas made of unusual materials, Santas from different countries, etc. The collection can be a lifetime journey and can be as simple or elaborate as you want. To make it interesting for others, learn interesting facts regarding each Santa in your collection. What a wonderful addition to your Christmas decorations and a great opportunity for conversation with new guests in your home.

Angels can be another subject for collectors. Again, your collection can become whatever you want it to be. An angel collection can be part of your Christmas decorating, as well as, a collection for display throughout the year. You can limit your collection to all glass, all wood, or handmade, etc. You may want all of your angels to be antiques.

The downfall of collecting is when others who don’t share your taste, insist on adding to your collection. This is when setting perimeters can be important. You are the one to set the perimeters for your collection. And, if you are a perfectionist then you may want to be the only one to select each piece in your collection.

One way of displaying your collection is by grouping. By grouping your collection the display becomes a “single” greater object in itself and makes your collection more important than any single piece in the collection. An important collection depends as much on affection and presentation as on cost or rarity. Using your collections as a centerpiece is also a dramatic way to show your collections.

Suggestions for interesting collections are: blue & white china pieces, boxes, linens, elephants, butterflies, frogs, santas, clocks etc…the possibilities are endless. Collecting gives you a shopping goal when traveling, as well as, a memory of your travels.

I remember once visiting in a house in Oklahoma City, where the lady of the house shared her collection of antique evening bags that had belonged to her grandmother and great grandmother. They were beautifully displayed in shadow boxes and hung on a wall in the master bedroom.

I have a small collection of children’s china. My mother gave me china she had as a child, which is probably only important to me. But, when added to the blue and white Blue Willow china that I received for Christmas (I was six years old) the combination makes for an interesting collection for discussion.

Everyone that knows me knows that I love elephants and have an extensive collection (I do not need anymore!) My husband and I bought a glass elephant on our honeymoon in Venice and, viol ‘a, our collection was started. Whenever we traveled we try to find a unique elephant – sometimes we do, sometimes we don’t. Our collection now consists of all kinds of elephants from all over the world and made of different materials. We have a few expensive elephants and some not so expensive. Several years ago I bought an antique Asian furniture piece and have our collection displayed on this antique, making for an even more interesting collection.

Share your information regarding your collection(s). Tell us how it got started, what your parameters are, and how you display the collection.

Some things never change….

The kitchen is still the hearth and heart of the home. It is the main room in the house in which all members of the household interact on a daily basis. The kitchen is the place guests frequently gather to converse and watch the host(s) prepare food and drinks. This is the room in which parents and children most often interact one to three times a day.

Today the kitchen is an even more important design element in the home then ever before. Therefore, the cabinets have become more sophisticated, the lights more flexible and the finishes more interesting. The appliance options are numerous and perform most any function desired in the kitchen. In construction costs, more money is spent per square foot in the kitchen than in any other spaces in the house. For a 5,000 sq. ft. to 8,000 sq. ft. house an appliance budget of $50,000 is not unreasonable (this includes appliances for bar, summer kitchen, & utility).

With the kitchen open to the great room (family room) we frequently design a secondary kitchen. This can be anything from a sink, refrigerator and oven in the utility area, to a separate kitchen space with all of the major appliances. This secondary kitchen is sometimes called “the dirty kitchen”. This second kitchen is perfect for formal entertaining as well as for catering and for cooking the turkey or standing rib roast for the holidays. Also, when cooking foods that have a strong odor such as shellfish or curries, this dirty kitchen is the perfect solution for keeping these odors out of the rest of the house. To insure venting these odors to the outdoors, I specify motors with 1500 CFM, as well as, I specify that this space have an air supply and return independent of the surrounding areas.

Lighting is one of the most important elements of the kitchen design. In order for today’s kitchen to satisfy all of the functions performed in this space, a layering of light is needed. General and ambient lighting is needed for back dropping the task and accent lighting. A lighting system, which is set at different levels for different occasions, makes lighting infallible for those persons who do not understand the importance of lighting. Task lighting for food preparation needs to be included in the lighting design and for counter top lighting I recommend zenon fixtures. Accent lighting can be used on artwork, and collections, lighting above cabinets adds interest, lights under toe kicks and bar tops can highlight finished materials, and cabinet lighting can be used for displays of pottery, crystal, etc. Lighting can add drama, excitement, and interest to the overall kitchen design.

With the selection of the finishes the personality and design style of the kitchen are developed! I frequently select the countertop first since the color can influence the selection of the cabinet finish, as well as, the natural countertop options are more limited in color. Countertops come in many colors and materials; they can be made of one material or a combination of materials. Some of the granites available today have a lot of color and movement—many look like an artist’s painting. With the selection of the counter top, the color and finish of the cabinets can be selected which will complement the selected countertop material. Next is the design of the backsplash, which can be a combination of the countertop material or a contrast in color, texture, and material to surface. Other finish selections to be made are the glass style for glass cabinet doors, material for facing the island(s), ceiling treatments, hood material, room crown, trim, flooring material and design.

Designing the ultimate kitchen involves developing a functional space plan, selecting the desired appliances and plumbing fixtures, integrating a flexible lighting system and specifying cabinet design and finishes—all of this to reflect the personalities of the owners.

This last year we designed an Egyptian themed theater for a client. We coordinated the theme/design of the theater with the theater bathroom.

The main focus of the theater bathroom was the custom etched and carved shower doors which features both an Egyptian man and woman adorned in the clothing and jewelry of the Pharaohs. The man and woman are based off of the paintings on the walls in the tombs of Ancient Egypt. The etchings have accents of metallic paint which highlights the jewelry on each figure.

In the theater bathroom we simplified the color scheme from the bright blues, reds, greens, and gold seen in the theater by using only black and gold. The bathroom walls are covered with a hand-painted wall covering that has gold papyrus leaves on a black background.

A gold travertine selected for the main floor tile contrasts with the black and gold walls-balancing the combination of the light and dark colors.

The cabinets and trim are painted black and highlighted with a metallic gold paint. The sink vanity has a Black Absolute granite countertop, and its tiered base is faced with the same Black Granite.

The gold mirror frame which we selected has an Egyptian motif-complimenting the vanity’s tiered base. The classic designed two-arm sconces in a black and gold finish flank the mirror and completes the room design.

So, come bathe with the Pharaohs in an atmosphere of Ancient Egypt!

- Christy Davis, Jane Page Design Group

The weekend of September 12-13 is the ASID Kitchen and Bath tour. There will be six homes on the tour, including that of Jane Page Crump.

Jane Page’s home will be open with the focus on the “summer kitchen” and the outdoor living space. The space plan for the outdoor living area includes several intimate eating areas, two restful areas with faux bois benches, and the outdoor pavilion where the pool is the central feature. The pool showcases fountains and features LED lighting.

Centered on the fireplace is a comfortable conversation area, and next to that is a cooking area with a bar. These adjoining spaces combine to make the outdoor pavilion functional for year-round entertaining.

The kitchen was designed with a grill, pizza oven, gas burners, and an under counter refrigerator. The tiered wall, housing the pizza oven, serves as the focal point of the kitchen area. Blue Bahia granite covers the bar and countertops in the kitchen. The 18″x18″ mosaics recessed in the niches, flanking the pizza wall, consist of Rosa Verona marble and Blue Bahia granite. The conversation area has comfortable upholstered seating, and a gorgeous custom made iron coffee table. Lighting and audio/visual equipment are remote controlled, making it easy for the user to relax in the space.