When I first really started using my room in middle school, it was nothing like it is today. The walls were bare, the carpet messy and there was barely any furniture. My first collection was my posters. They were cheap and accessible — a theme that most of my treasures have. Over time I started pulling stuff out of the basement, garage, closets, everywhere. I started attending more yard sales, then discovered the wondrous world of estate sales. Goodwill and other local thrift stores were another great place of discovery (and still are today).
The more treasures I got, the cleaner my room became. Everything has its place — every night I pretty much do a quick run around and fix/scoot/arrange some things here ‘n there. Since I got new carpet, I have learned to love the vacuum. I use treasure hunting as entertainment, education, and family time. Every Saturday morning is estate sale day in my house, and oh do we enjoy it. Even my 12-year-old brother has an extensive Made in Japan S&P shaker collection to be amazed at. Every time my mother comes upstairs to visit she never knows what she is going to see. There is always something new to you look at in my room, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Aunt Pam adds: I wrote the headline: My nephew Matt must be one of America’s most amazing 19 year old collectors. Antiquing’s future is in good hands. I knew, when I asked him to start helping me out with the blog, that he like collecting. But, I had No Idea. And, he is even a neatnik (he didn’t get that gene from me, I think he got it from his mother, my sister Jenni. Remember Jenni from our visit to the pink bathroom in Lexington?) I am proud to call him kin.
Here’s Matt’s slide show. To launch it, click on the first thumbnail. The image will enlarge. Proceed via the arrows under each image by his description. If you need to stop or ‘lose your place’ you can launch the slide show again via a thumbnail anywhere within the show. That is: You don’t have to start at the beginning.
Tupperware & Brownie Wise: Amazing documentary about women and plastics and reinvention in Post World-War II America 
Re-Store in Springfield: Amazing. 37 photos 
32 photos from Berkshire County Used Furniture + Upload photos of your thrifty finds 
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WOW! WOW! WOW! And I thought my mom and I had the collecting bug supreme! LOL Matt, you are having fun and learning as you collect different items. And it all looks to be under control! (I saw lots of cool things amongst your collection-do you have one favorite thing of all???) It’s a wonderful thing that such a young man takes interest in kitschy memorabilia. I say BOO-RAH MATT!!!
I die!
It’s an amazing collection! One question: Who does the dusting?
Glad to see another troll enthusiast out there!
I was also wondering about the dusting. It’s all so neat and clean. Want to come over to dust and organize my collections??
It’s wonderful that you have documented your incredible collection with so many photos! I wish I had taken photos of my room in high school. It will be fun for Pam to watch as your collection evolves as you get older and your interests change. I think you should find a spot in there somewhere for a kitchen sink – you know, so you can say, “My room’s got everything but the kit– oh, wait! I’ve got that too!”
Matt, your collections are amazing! I love how you’ve grouped everything in small vignettes. It’s organized and eclectic at the same time. You’ve created a wonderful space for yourself that really reflects your personality (at least what I know of you from reading the blog). Great job!
Fantastic!! Thank you for sharing all of your collection(s). Neat, tidy and organized!
Congratulations for doing what you love!!!!
Always, Teresa
Wow, looks like my parents’ house but much neater. Fun.
WOW! Those are amazing treasures! I have to say, though, my favorite thing is the Mushroom Collection. My mom had these when my sisters and I were little then they were given to my Grandmother. Both are passed now and I seriously regret letting my older sister get rid of them. Ah, memories!
FUN! Nice job Matthew!
I love your collection of string lights! There so fun the way you’ve hung them all together!
everything was lame compared to the turtle sundial.
All I can say is..WOW!! I loved doodle art posters..and I wish I still had my troll dolls.
I love any room that has a “My Pet Monster”! Very cool stuff. Looks like a museum!
I love this! It reminds me of my bedroom when I was a teenager in the 80′s. I’ve always been a collector and I remember having to cram it all in one room. And yes I did take pictures.
I can honestly say I’ve never seen so many collections amassed in one bedroom/bathroom! I know it’s been said before, but….WOW! I don’t know how you keep everything dusted, neat and tidy, but it is. The macrame owls brought back some great memories for me. I was a macrame-ing fool in the 70′s and one year EVERYONE in my family got an owl made in a variety of colors. I also had a lot of trolls growing up, but NEVER this many! Thanks for sharing Matt, you have such a fun and free spirited family.
So amazing! I love what you collect and how you display it and what you have paid :> LOVE IT!
Features like this are why I love this blog. On other decor sites (such as one that rhymes with “Schmapartment Nerapy”), the comments section would be filled with people moaning about clutter and hoarding and how they personally just couldn’t LIVE with all this STUFF. Here, it’s embraced, and it is wonderful. More power to collectors like Matt!
Your Aunt Pam must be so proud! Such a great young man! My daughter is also 19……she just broke up with her boyfriend…..he was “too boring”……soooo…would YOU be available? Just wondering…….
Wow, that’s pretty impressive. There’s no way I could possibly dust all of that without going insane. I loved that frog-lamp in the picture with the pink swan, that looked really neat.
At first, I was’t even going to click through the photos. I was sure that such a large amount of stuff would bug me. I’m glad I decided to take a look. I was fascinated! First off, I saw so much stuff associated with my youthful days of the 60s and 70s — trolls, mushrooms, macrame owls, etc. Fun memories there. Then, there was all the stuff that would have been at my grandma’s house, like the little pitchers by the bathroom sink, and busts of presidents. More good memories. And then stuff I didn’t even know existed, like those tall animals. Interesting! And it’s all arranged in such a creative way. My guess is that any teen who has put so much time and effort into such collections will have a very interesting and fruitful future, full of fun, too. Good job, Matt!
My 10 year old son is starting to amass anything made of shells such as animals, people etc…, mini houses/stores etc…, Pez, boats/ships and coconuts that are made into peoples faces. I am sure I am missing many new ideas but he has the bug lol. I am glad to see this collecting can be a tidy thing. LOL
wow man! so young and already a passionated collector.. so colorfull! i bet when he own his own home he will outdo himself! (forgive me for my bad English, i’m a dutch guy living in Sweden)