Richard Hill looks at innovative ways to store and display those prized possessions

Olympic pomp and ceremony, Jubilee street parties, extra bank holidays and an unseasonably early start to the summer – it’s actually quite a good year to be British. For once, we can feel proud of this quirky small island, and celebrate our peculiar national foibles. There’s a few things we do very well: things like queuing (imagine those Olympic toilet queues), tea parties, gardens of all shapes and sizes. And we’re a nation of hoarders – the British love a nice collection of objects. Most of us, if we’re honest, have a prized collection of something, no matter how small. We’re forever being told to de-clutter and downsize, put all our stuff away and out of sight. But when it comes to collections, whether its soft toys, star wars figures, marmite jars or teapots, this is the year to put everything on display.

Show it off
Richard Hill Interiors specialise in storage, helping homes and businesses tidy up and look sharp. Increasingly, though, they’re being asked to come up with creative solutions for domestic and commercial display. Richard says: “The right display unit will show your collection off to its best advantage, making a feature of whatever it is that you’re most passionate about. It will also help to keep things tidy, making items easy to find.” Businesses want display units that show items to their best advantage – but a well-lit display cabinet, shelf or unit will work just as well in your home, and – like bold wallpaper or art – make a feature, and talking point, of your collections. Recent commissions include a bespoke cocktail cabinet, display units for a shoe collection, shelving, an apothecary cabinet, handbag stands, and some over-sized pink dogs, balancing display units on their heads (really).

Colour & light
Richard Hill Interiors can work with you – whatever your collection – to make sure it makes and impact, showing items off to their best advantage. If your collection is quirky and vintage – like old teapots, dolls or china, consider an old-fashioned glass-fronted cabinet or unit. Contemporary collections, like designer shoes, gadgets or toy figures, look great on thick streamlined shelves and modern units. Coloured laminate finishes, glass, mirror and accent or even back lighting will bring colour as well as light to your objects. Very British, and very cool.

For a free quote, contact Richard Hill Interiors, Unit D3, Dolphin Enterprise Centre, Evershed Way, Dolphin Road, Brighton, BN43 6QB, 01273 463799, www.richardhillinteriorsltd.co.uk