Today something wonderful happened. While searching for a drill bit in the garage, I stumbled upon my husband’s collection of shells and rocks. Amassed throughout his childhood, this assortment of natural wonders contains everything from coral to agate. When I opened the lid to the glass jar, I was astounded by the number of treasures inside. I thought I had a great rock collection, but his is design gold…

I never found that drill bit, which means my latest DIY project is on hold until my brother lends me his tools later in the week. But that’s just fine with me, because I now have nature on my side! I dedicate this post to our childhood collections–and the way they can be used to add personality and style to our homes. Remember yesterday’s post on decorative accents that make a big impact? Add rocks, minerals and shells to the list, because today we celebrate the design appeal of natural wonders, and the many ways we can display them.

Decorating with Seashells

Among the sea treasures in my hubby’s collection are coral, a starfish and a crab! Sea life conjures the scientific whimsy of curiosities, as well as the relaxed vibe of the beach:

Now let’s explore how to display your shells. One of my favorite strategies involves placing them in apothecary jars. Add some decorative sand to create a soft blanket that can support your seashells, as shown below.

Another fun tactic? Grouping shells in the opening of a sea urchin. As you can see in the next image, the urchin is actually ceramic. It’s the perfect size for displaying a small collection.

The Shine of Polished Pebbles

There were plenty of pebbles in the collection I found today. So many beautiful colors are represented, from reds to purples to yellows…

Polished pebbles create the biggest impact when displayed in a group. Their shine makes them the perfect filler for brass bowls and other metallic containers.

They can also enhance one of your outdoor planters. Below is a cactus surrounded by rocks that keep the squirrels from digging up the plant! Mixed in with the chalky stones are a few select pebbles:

The Power of Black and White Stones

Also in my hubby’s nature collection was a delightful assortment of rocks and stones in shades of black, grey and white. These classic neutrals will beautifully complement a range of hues in your decor.

Below we see the rocks in a turquoise dish, creating a powerful contrast with the radiant color that surrounds them:

We’re used to seeing gravel-sized pebbles in spherical plant terrariums, but try using larger rocks in your terrarium for an unexpected touch. The black and white shades really help greenery stand out.

Earthy Accents

I can imagine my husband collecting the treasures below, from the pine cone to the wheat-like stalk. I’m so glad he decided to save them. Don’t these pieces form a lovely grouping?

For a special display technique, try placing earthy items such as arrowheads on a piece of cork. The arrowheads below rest on the cork lid of the glass jar that held the entire collection.

My husband bought sand art souvenirs while on one of his travels as a child. I like to display them with other items from nature, especially when the earthy items are contained by a brass and glass box.

Sparkle and Shine

I’ll end today’s post with a few “special rocks” that are unique in their sparkle and shine, including agate and what appears to be iron pyrite. As you can tell from the images above and below, I LOVE using marble tile as a pedestal for my favorite rocks and minerals.

Another way to emphasize unique rocks: display them on a mirrored surface, as shown below:

One last option? Create a menagerie-like display of your glitzy rocks and minerals, grouping them with items such as crystal decor. Sometimes a few interesting accents can enhance other powerful pieces.

Thanks for joining me for today’s postQ Now it’s time to dust off your collection and let it take center stage in your home. Take a second look at pieces from your childhood–chances are, you had some great instincts as you assembled your treasures!