Since we're such collectors ourselves, we were interested in showing what a room would look like of someone who collected phobias. We did research -- did you know the fear of clowns is coulrophobia? And the fear of clocks is chronomentrophobia? Or the fear of string is linonophobia?
We tried to find the creepiest, weirdest things to put in the window. Like dolls with no eyes, a metal rat sculpture on a marble base, an old dangerous-looking hackle with sharp points, black cats, and poison bottles. We labeled everything with their phobia names, using large, old-fashioned style manila tags with twine.
The background was a find at a thrift shop -- a 1970s gold crushed velvet bedspread -- picked up for $4. We took the fluorescent tubes out of the ceiling so we would just have the spotlights; it set the mood instantly, changing the super bright overhead lights to dim, moody lights. Our handy faux brick panel, usually used as flooring, worked to cover the nook, acting as another wall. We love to change the space, and make it feel different with each window.
The real star of the window is the display cabinet. It's got just the right amount of quirk to fit in perfectly...
We found an amazing radio that filled in the last space near the end of the window -- it sold a day after we finished the window. Then one of the hands sold. We know selling the items is the point of it all -- but after we've carefully curated it all, it's hard to see something go.
And here's the whole thing all together...
