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!

My Home Sweet Home

As many of you know I just had two of my blogging friends here visiting me in California for five days. As they entered my home they both remarked on how different my home looked in person. They had an idea of what it looked like through the images I had posted on my blog and in the Puttzer chatroom. I was surprised at how surprised they seemed to be.Well not really since I am not very good when it comes to taking pictures.

They said it was larger, more open, and brighter and lighter in person.

I am so glad they got to see it in person, but more importantly I am glad I got to spend such a fun time with them for five days!!

Since they seemed so surprised and I needed to add images for my navigation bar above I thought I would do a post that took your through my home. It is a bit lengthy and full of pictures. I hope you enjoy!!!

MY HOME:

Welcome to my sweet little piece of California Suburbia. I live in a 1970's ranch. We are the original owners, and this little home has proved to be a wonderful place to raise our three son's. It is now the home that our grandchildren come to visit, Grammy and Papa.

 This is where I sit in the mornings listening to my fountain and birds as I drink my first cup of morning coffee.

The impatiens love their spot under my bay window to the left of the porch.

You enter into my home through a full French door. I love the wonderful light that streams in first thing in the mornings.

Welcome!!!! If you look to your left you will step down into my living room with the bay window that you saw from the outside of the house...........

This room was called, "The quiet room," when I was raising my boys. We read books in here, played the piano,which has a new home now, and good visits with family and friends. I use every single room in my home!!


As we step back up into the entry we will be going to the right where we will be entering the area where we do most of our living and entertaining..........

 You can see the kitchen breakfast bar through that door. The kitchen dinette will be on your right and the U-shaped kitchen will be on your left as you enter............

It was amazing to me what a little bit of molding and paint could do to transform my 1970's kitchen into the sweet vintage look it has today. It is one of my favorite rooms to be in.

 We took out the overhead fluorescent light box (remember those?, what were we thinking back then?)
By adding stacked moldings and a vintage chandelier from the 1940's it looks totally different.

 We purchased two new glass front doors and added lighting inside. The back of the cupboard is covered with mirror for more reflection and a window-like feel. I have great fun changing out my dishes for the different seasons.

This is the look of my kitchen cupboards for the majority of the year, since all white dishes are what I use on a daily basis.


 As you continue through the kitchen you will enter into my family room. It is truly a "family" room!!

If you need to use the guest bathroom you will go back through the kitchen and you will see it straight ahead of you......

 As you continue down the hallway the first door on your right is the play room for my grandkids. It is a favorite hang-out and a great place to read books and sleep, especially in the nook with the curtain pulled. It is like their own private tent.............

 If you continue down to the end of an almost thirty foot long hallway you will enter my Master bedroom. I love to sleep in this cozy room. I am a big fan of the ocean and I wanted my room to evoke the feeling and colors of the ocean waves. I must admit I think my blood pressure lowers upon entering this room............

That is the end of our tour, but not the end of my time, "Enjoying the Process," with my loved one's in our little California suburban home.

I hope you enjoyed your visit here,

Kathysue