A Well-Traveled Home: Collecting Exotic Treasures From Around the World

Are you a globetrotter? Do you love to collect mementos for your home while travelling?

Nothing adds to the décor of a home like special artifacts picked up on one’s travels. But foresight and planning are a must when shopping for your home while on the road. Following are some pointers:

Do your research and stay on point. Always know what you intend to purchase and do so in moderation. Be careful not to bid impulsively at auctions. When purchasing from another individual, it’s OK to say, “I’d like to think about this and let you know.” Do your best to take your emotion out of the deal. And most importantly, don’t collect just for the sake of collecting. Collect items that truly interest you, regardless of their value.

Purchase according to your theme and color palette.

Ensure items are a fit. How can you make sure that a lamp, rug or chair will fit into your existing home décor and space? Know your interior, and know it well. I typically bring 8-1/2″ x 11″ file folders with small swatches of the room’s fabrics along with photos of furniture, and a furniture floor plan (to scale, along with the size of the furniture pieces). There are a variety of apps you can use to help with space planning and color options.

Purchase portable items that you love and are a reflection of you.

Consider numbers, pricing and more: When shopping for collectibles you intend to put on shelves, make sure you know the number of shelves and the continual amount of linear footage. The rule of thumb: approximately two accessories per linear foot. But before shopping for antiques, purchase an updated copy of Miller’s Antique Guide or better yet, bring your tablet or iPad with you, so you can access their website for current information to help guide you on pricing.

When shopping for artwork, know the size of your wall.

Measure, measure, measure: When shopping for artwork, know the size of your wall and the size of the painting. An oil painting should not consume more than 60% of the allowable space of a wall (measuring from end to end, horizontally). This measurement should be inclusive of the frame. Since frames are typically three inches wide, add at least six inches in both the width and height to the size of the painting.

When shopping while you travel, think small. Purchase portable, easily packable items – pieces that will accent your room, not anchor it. Above all, the pieces you buy should reflect you. Purchase according to a theme and color palette instead of accumulating a hodgepodge of knick-knacks.

Always know what you intend to purchase and do so in moderation.

Where do you like to travel and what little treasures have you picked up along the way? Post your photos and stories on our Facebook page.