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How to Decorate with Whimsical Collections

Steal these ideas to highlight colorful groupings of objects in your home

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1. Bold backdrop

A lipstick red wall sets off black-and-white family photos on a living room table. Handmade valentines dangle from a picture rail.

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2. Perfect chemistry

A rack of 24 test tubes is repurposed as a centerpiece.

The glass vials contain elegant lisianthus blooms and fragrant rose geranium leaves plucked from Cynthia Warren's garden.

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3. Salvage chic

Originally a pocket door, this headboard got a dreamy update with bright white paint decorative molding and delicate sconces that cast a soft light.

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4. Everyday art

In the kitchen, citrus walls and white cabinetry add a nostalgic feel to neat groupings of colorful useful items. Salvaged metal drawers keep small wares accessible but out of view.

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5. Travel treasures

Souvenirs and found art ― including an Indian mirrored shirt a Thai horse puppet a Oaxacan rattle and framed moths ― share space on a persimmon-colored wall.

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6. Visual aids

Like a clothesline of ideas three 18-foot cables on the wall of Warren's studio hold previous designs and bits of inspiration to spur the creative process.

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7. Tool time

"Girly macho" is how Marc Duncan refers to Warren's graphic and playful juxtaposition of rusted vintage tools mounted on pink pegboard in her garage turned workshop.