COLUMN: Instruments make interesting, fun display

DEAR GAIL: We have a large collection of musical instruments that we would like to display. What ideas can you share so that we can enjoy them every day? -- David R.

DEAR DAVID: A collection of musical instruments sounds fun, fascinating and different.

Smaller instruments, such as a flute, piccolo, harmonica, triangle, castanet, trumpet or cornet, can be placed in a curio cabinet. The curio should have glass shelves, a mirrored back and lighting so that you can see the instruments from all sides and really enjoy them when the cabinet is lit. Do not just lay them on the shelves; purchase appropriate stands on which to place them.

It would also be nice to gather up items that accompany the instrument and place them on the shelves together. For instance, with the trumpet you can add a Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass record, marching band hat, picture of a marching band and mute.

With the castanets, add a sombrero, picture of a Mexican dancer and sheet music from "Man of La Mancha." Or, include some jazz pictures and souvenirs from New Orleans to go with your clarinet.

What you are trying to create is a vignette of items that relate to the instrument. It will bring added interest to the collection.

You could also purchase individual shelves for the instruments and create a wall gallery. Each shelf should be the same and deep enough for the instrument to sit on. Place them on a wall that you are able to walk up to, but not one that is in a main traffic area such as a hallway. Instead of shelves, you could use clear boxes made for each instrument, which would protect them from dust.

Place the collection somewhere different, such as in your dining room above a buffet piece. Behind it you can mirror, wallpaper in sheet music or paint music notes, clefs or song titles. You could also incorporate pictures from jazz concerts, a symphony or recital. Remember, let the instruments be the focus.

If you have a china hutch, do not be afraid to use it for something other than china. Use the top shelf for a group of percussion instruments: the tambourine, triangle, cymbal and drum sticks. On the second shelf, put smaller wind instruments: the piccolo, flute, clarinet and oboe. Then use the bottom row for heavier wind instruments: the trumpet, cornet and bugle.

Add those extra items: pictures, sheet music, and record albums so you do not just have rows of instruments.

For larger instruments such as saxophones, trombones, tubas, banjos and violas, create a vignette in a corner. Next to the instrument, add a music stand, stool, pictures, sheet music, instrument case and band uniform or orchestral dress on a dress form. This would be attractive in the foyer, offering a taste of what is to come.

You can also group the instruments together by type, wind, percussion and string, and place them in three different areas of the home.

Another idea is to devote an entire room to a music theme.

To avoid overwhelming your home with the collection, select only a couple of areas to display them. If the collection is large enough, switch the instruments out every six months. After a few months, we no longer see some of the things around us, and by switching them out, you might appreciate seeing them again.

Gail Mayhugh, owner of GMJ Interiors, is a professional interior designer and author of a book on the subject. Questions may be sent by e-mail to: gail@gmjinteriors.com. Or, mail to: 8170 S. Eastern Ave, Box 4-275, Las Vegas, NV 89123. Her Web address is: www.GMJinteriors.com.

Real Estate home