COLLECT & DECORATE

Are you already a collector of antiques, modern art, Americana?  Depending on what you love to collect, you may want to incorporate your favorite items into your decorating theme.  I know a gentleman that began collecting “table lighters” about 30 years ago.  His living room and kitchen have the type of walls that have a space at the top just for displaying knick knacks and bric-a-brac.  Some are displayed in glass curio cases, and many of his finds grace the wall units in his living room.  You might not think that cigarette lighters would create fascinating and colorful displays but he owns some very lovely ones. Many of these table cigarette lighters were made between the 1940’s and the 1960’s when it was fashionable to smoke and people displayed them on coffee and end tables, mantles.  Since they were much larger than the normal pocket lighters and could hold more lighter fluid, the host was always prepared with a “light” for the company that visited.

Many of the table lighters are made of glass: milk glass; pattern glass; cut glass; and were manufactured in every hue in the spectrum.  A lot of the lighters were made by well-known glass companies of that time period: Westmoreland Glass; Fenton Glass; and the Viking Glass companies manufactured and sold table cigarette lighters, just to name a few.  Viking Glass sold the lighters in smoking sets with matching ashtrays.  These now collectible lighters were also crafted of china or porcelain and were delicately and intricately hand-painted.  Among the 1,000+ specimens that he has accumulated over the years he even has 6 lighters made of Sterling Silver.  The shapes vary, too, from plump little rounded cigarette lighters to taller more graceful and elegant cigarette lighters.  With the reduction of smokers and the health risks involved, it is no longer fashionable to display table cigarette lighters for usage.  Now they can be displayed and collected for beauty, history, and antique value!

Antiqued Copper Owls

What do you wish to collect? The options are endless! Your choices will vary greatly depending on how much space you have available and whether you are enamored with the “hunt” or, perhaps, just want to acquire a small, one time collection or grouping of a particular item. Do you love artwork?

Collector Plates by Thomas Paul

Nothing seems to brighten or personalize your living space as much as a great water color, oil painting or pencil drawing. You might enjoy making a grouping of metal trays or antique plates on your walls or in your curio cabinet. Of course, cost will be a factor in your decision but there are limitless types of items that can be acquired for a minimal cost. Walk around your favorite store, click over to some decorating websites, visit an antique mall, mall, yard sale or thrift store, purchase some item that strongly attracts you and BEGIN YOUR COLLECTION!!!

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