En Masse

I tend to be a less is more, big is better kind of gal. In fact I use to tell my clients when in doubt use the mantra: Less is more, big is better.

With that in mind it came as a surprise to me when I was  shopping in Carmel with my bloggy buddies how many times I was attracted to large groupings of the same item, or element in a composition or vignette. The elements or objects were En Masse.

Upon looking up the definition it became more clear to me why I was attracted to a composition of so many of the same elements.

En Masse:

Define En masse

noun in a mass; all together; as a group:

in a group; as a whole; all together

Now that makes perfect sense to me!! When a group of elements of the same family are all grouped together, en masse, they will read as one. So it will be a big is better less is more concept!! Aaaah Hah!! Now I get it.

I felt confused about liking a composition of a lot of, “stuff,” since I am a less is more gal, but when grouped en masse it is as if I am looking at one big piece.

I collected some images on my Pinterest board that will be a good example of what I am talking about……….

There are a total of 32 botanical prints in this composition! That is a lot of, “stuff,” by anyone’s standards. Yet, because it is en masse it tends to read as one large piece!

Shall we look at some more compositions?……….

By having the same type of element, as in this grouping of milkglass the composition becomes a statement piece. The milk glass is viewed as a whole unit.



In this grouping we have two compositions, the mirrors, and the Hermes signature orange boxes.



Each of these pottery pieces are a bit different, but when placed en masse they become on large piece of art, so to speak.


The items you choose to put together en masse don’t necessarily have to be exotic, or even a special antique collection. In this grouping the homeowner chose to use every day objects en masse. I love the statement this composition is making in this vintage kitchen.



Every day hats become a sculptural looking vignette when grouped together en masse.

I am not sure how many pieces are needed to be called en masse, but I think when it is more than a pair of something it can be an effective grouping such as in the above image. The demijohns become much more of a statement when placed as a cohesive grouping.

Even simple metal pie plates can make a statement.




This is when more is more!! En Masse done in a gorgeous manner.



A grouping of inexpensive dollar store candles placed en masse makes a beautiful glowing statement.




Last but not least even nature knows how to present us with a beautiful display, En Masse!!

I don’t know about you all, but I am going to start looking around my own  home to see how many like-items I might have so I can make a vignette, En Masse!


Do you have some items that you can think of that would make a wonderful vignette En Masse!?

“Enjoy the Process!” Of:

Discovering new and interesting ways to display your favorite collections.

Kathysue

Quote for the day:

Always scale up, not down. Everyone is terrified of making things too big - if in doubt make it bigger, not smaller.

          - Roger Banks-Pye, Colefax and Fowler Interior Inspirations

 

All the above images are from my Pinterest board titled: You guessed it, En Masse!