Ever since I graduated from dorm life, my mom has given me a bunny at Easter. I love rabbits (such sweet little faces) and I love to celebrate Easter and Spring so it’s no wonder she chose this tradition for me. Last year, my mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law jumped in on the fun as well. As you might suspect, my rabbits are multiplying like, well, like rabbits. In Easter’s past I have spread them all over the house under the guise that having a happy bunny to look at in every room makes my bunny collection more enjoyable.

But this year I decided I would draw my bunny collection display inspiration from just about every article I see on collections. Everyone says group collections for impact. And I have to agree that a thematic display like a collection is a pretty cool way to show off your stuff. Here are some examples:

Genia Gilchrist (of Gilchrist & Gilchrist here in Nashville) was featured in Southern Living just before the holidays.  In that article, Genia shares how she groups a collection of Santas she has been acquiring over the years. Isn’t it fun to see all of the different shapes and styles in one place?

I’m a lover of plates, although I try to resist buying them on every shopping trip (which I would if I could). Mostly I don’t buy them because I don’t have a great place for displaying them. But just have a look at how this collection totally makes this kitchen. Just darling.

If I had a collection of sea life specimens, I would want them to look like this. (That’s one sentence I never dreamed I would type!) If these were spread all over the house, it would be downright creepy. Like I’m getting the hell out of here creepy. With sea life specimens on these modern, open shelves, this office becomes totally cool.

modern home office design by san francisco architect Schwartz and Architecture via Houzz

I actually saved the picture below because I love the casual, mix-matched style of that front porch. But check out this clever display of metal buildings that this homeowner collected on his travels (#3 below). This is genius because put yourself in this man’s wife’s shoes (I don’t know that he even has a wife but work with me here). Your man insists on buying metal buildings on every trip that you take. He also insists that they be displayed. I mean what – are you going to strew them all over your den or even all over your bookcases? Well, come to think of it the bookcase idea could look cool. But what about putting them all together on the lower level of a table like this? Cha-ching! My Dad’s got some lighthouses that are going to get the same treatment in our lake house.

But back to bunnies. One of the spots in my house that I can’t get happy with is my mantle. I mess with that sucker at least once a month. Stay tuned for a post on that. So I figured why not corral all of the bunnies on the mantle for one high-impact Easter extravaganza? So night before last I unwrapped all of my bunnies and started arranging them. I was aiming for balance without symmetry. But when I finished, the mantle looked kind of empty. I decided this was actually good news since I can keep collecting and not outgrow my mantle for at least a few more Easters.

So to fill in a bit for this year, I added 5 of the Pottery Barn Egg-Shaped vases that I had been given for Christmas. This set of 6 total vases was a great find. The colors totally fit in with our house and even just a single flower makes these so cute almost anywhere. I hadn’t used them as a group until I nestled them in between the bunnies and I’ve got to say, I love the repetition that they add to the display. And although I don’t usually choose carnations, I chose them for this project since they are pink, cheap and long-lasting. They might even make it to Easter with a trim and water change.

What do you think of my bunny collection display on the mantle? Maybe it’s still missing a little oompf? Comments make me feel loved!