The Art of Curating a Collection
WORDS: CHYKA KEEBAUGH
IMAGES: MARCEL AUCAR
Within the entrance of my home, as you step through the Green Room, lives a collection of white china that I am so proud of and constantly add to. It's more than just crockery - it's a gentle reminder that beauty exists in the details and that joy can be found daily when we choose to surround ourselves with things we love. Each piece lives in our sleek black shelving, enclosed in glass doors, like treasures in a museum - except these are mine, collected over time with a careful, loving eye. The shelves are layered and arranged, featuring cabbage and vegetable-inspired plates, rattan-detailed crockery, and others, as well as groups of platters, jugs, and plates. Everything is white, beautiful, and worthy of display.
There's something truly joyful about collecting. It starts with that one unique find - a plate picked up at a vintage market, a jug spotted in a tucked-away antique store, or a gift from someone who knows your taste too well. And from there, it grows. Each new piece brings a little thrill, a new chapter in your collection's evolving story. There's a unique charm in white cabbage-style plates and vegetable-leaf-inspired china - each piece celebrates nature's forms, reimagined in elegant ceramic detail. I adore how these whimsical shapes bring texture and personality to a collection while still feeling refined in their all-white simplicity. Paired with the organic imperfections of handmade white pottery, the overall effect is earthy, tactile, and quietly luxurious. This blend of playful and artisanal brings me joy every time I add a new piece to the shelf.
How to Begin Your Collection
Starting your collection doesn't need to be intimidating. The secret is to begin with what you love. Is it the texture of rattan edging? The whimsy of vegetable shapes? Or the simplicity of plain, crisp porcelain? Once you identify what you love collecting, that becomes your anchor. Look in unexpected places - flea markets, op shops, antique centres, and even your grandmother's kitchen cupboard. Let the hunt be part of the fun. There's so much joy in the hunt and even more in the moment you find the one - the piece you didn't know you needed until it was in your hands.
Uniformity is key when displaying a collection, especially something as visually serene as white china, but that doesn't mean it has to be boring. Organise by style or shape to create visual flow. I group mine by type and texture: cabbage leaves with cabbage leaves, jugs with jugs, and rattan with rattan. This makes little vignettes within the shelves, each telling its own story, while the overarching white palette ties everything together. The black shelving creates a dramatic contrast, making the whites pop and adding a sense of sophistication. Glass doors keep dust away and add an elevated, gallery-like effect that turns every shelf into a curated moment.
There's something deeply calming about white. It's clean, classic, and timeless. It allows each detail - every ridge, pattern, and curve - to shine without distraction. The absence of colour encourages you to look closer, notice more, and appreciate the craftsmanship. This collection in The Green Room creates a lovely contrast between green, black, and white. When displayed thoughtfully, a white china collection transforms from merely a part of your home into art. Whether you're just starting or have been collecting for years, remember that the magic lies in the mix: the thrill of the find, the patience of the hunt, and the beauty of showcasing what you love with intention and care. Allow your collection to evolve. Let it reflect you. And most importantly, enjoy it because life is too short not to find beauty in the everyday.
