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Monday, October 10, 2011

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……….

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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?……….

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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.


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


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

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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.


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


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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.

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Even simple metal pie plates can make a statement.


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

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


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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!