You've heard the adage that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Well, never is this truer than with collectibles.

My decorating partner, Matt Fox, and I have run across just about every kind of collection imaginable. We've seen collections of baskets, salt and pepper shakers and teapots.

We've worked with homeowners who wanted to display their pig-figure collections, matchbook-cover collections or pottery collections. We've used old maps in dens, vintage hat boxes in bedrooms and brightly colored carnival glass in china cupboards.

While the collections vary, Matt and I have discovered some commonalities when it comes to their acquisition and display:

Lesson No. 1: Collections are always a work in progress.

Collectors everywhere understand this concept. While you may need a minimum of three items for it to officially be declared a collection, for most collectors there is no upper limit.

For true collectors, it's all about the thrill of the hunt. Whether scouring flea markets, thrift stores or estate auctions, there is a real sense of excitement at finding a new and unusual addition, especially if it's a bargain.

Lesson No. 2: You don't have to show off your entire collection at once.

Too much of a good thing can rapidly develop into clutter. Rather than display your entire collection of elephant figures, why not divide your collection into groupings? Look through your collection to determine which items work best together.

Lesson No. 3: Vary the shapes and colors in the display. After a few months, rotate in a few different pieces, changing the display as often as you like. Although there are no firm rules to follow when you create these groupings, I've found that your collections can be easily displayed by following a few simple design tips:

• Arrange items in odd-numbered groupings.

• For the greatest impact, display all the items in your collection in a single area rather than scattering them throughout your home.

• To add visual interest, vary the heights in the grouping. Mix large and small pieces, using small pedestals or stands to elevate objects.

• Create depth by alternating pieces from back to front instead of placing them in a line.

• Try placing three objects in a triangular shape, with the tallest piece in back. Depending on the number of items, you can create multiple triangles, overlapping them as necessary.

• Collectibles are often displayed on shelving units. Consider varying the distance between shelves.

• To achieve a formal look, use symmetrical placement of accessories. For a more casual look, asymmetrical groupings work well.

• To create an attractive display, it's important that shelves appear balanced. To achieve this, I usually place the largest items first. I try to alternate the heights from one shelf to another in a sort of zigzag pattern. On open shelves, I begin by placing the largest item in the center of the middle shelf.

The next step is to begin to fill in the open spaces with smaller, colorful objects. Use different shapes and materials. Don't be afraid to mix in some silk greenery with your collection. It's a great way to add both color and texture.

• Step back and check your work. Are there areas that seem overly crowded? Does one shelf seem a bit bare? Don't get discouraged if you are dissatisfied with your first attempt. It may take several days and numerous rearrangements before you find your perfect display.

• Shelves aren't the only places to display collectibles. Achieve the unexpected by displaying smaller treasures on windowsills or larger items in an unused fireplace.

Lesson No. 4: Collectibles can be difficult to dust, especially if you find yourself reluctant to disturb an arrangement that took weeks to perfect.

There is a simple way around this problem. Once you've achieved that perfect look, take a picture. After dusting, a quick look at the photo will lead you back to perfection in minutes.

Top-shelf display ideas

Question: I just found some darling decorative pieces at an estate sale, and I'd like some new ideas for how to show them off. What do you suggest?

Answer: Go out on a ledge! I'm crazy about decorating the edges and ledges in my home, filling these little spots with powerful displays that have a huge impact on the overall look of a room.

Why not showcase your estate- sale finds on one of these small but mighty stages?

Wall brackets. These timeless decorating tools add beautiful architectural detail to your walls and provide a royal throne for anything placed on them. If you want to knock people's socks off, hang a series of brackets across your wall and top each with a piece of fine porcelain. Or spotlight an especially fine vase on a bracket and surround it with fabulous pieces of art.

Shelves. Try displaying your finds on wall-mounted shelves. That's what I've done in my guest bathroom. I hung a three- shelf bookcase on the wall and filled it with an assortment of treasures, like a silver trophy cup, small prints and glass containers holding toiletries.

Where else could you hang a small shelf for a display? Above a doorway? Under a window? By your back door? In the hallway? When you decorate these little ledges, make a tight cluster of accents in different sizes and shapes, leaving plenty of empty space between each item and on each side.By Mary Carol Garrity, Scripps Howard News Service

For more on Fox and Hiller, visit www.hgtv.com or www.mattandshari.com.

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