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.
Northside CJ says
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.
Lynne says
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…….
Amy says
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!
Tera says
So amazing! I love what you collect and how you display it and what you have paid :> LOVE IT!
Janice says
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.
Jodi says
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.
Guy H. says
I love any room that has a “My Pet Monster”! Very cool stuff. Looks like a museum!
Dot says
All I can say is..WOW!! I loved doodle art posters..and I wish I still had my troll dolls.
Gnossos says
everything was lame compared to the turtle sundial.
CindyD says
I love your collection of string lights! There so fun the way you’ve hung them all together!