D.L. Rhein: Creative Jewelry Display!

I love when I can take some time to explore new shops, and it’s even more fun when I’m on vacation. While cruising around different places in Los Angeles, I came across a small store on W. 3rd Street called D.L. Rhein.

Filled with delightful decor objects, heavenly smelling candles, and beautiful scarves, there was more that the eye could take in during just one swing around the place! No surprise, I made a bee-line for the jewelry, which was displayed in such a creative way — on a baker’s rack!

Way to maximize display space!
Way to maximize display space!

Each tray was filled with tiny, white rocks, and the necklaces were carefully laid out on each tray, organized by color. So fun! It was a visual feast.

d.l. rhein jewelry tray

d.l. rhein jewelry tray

It was so easy to pull out each tray to inspect the treasures. I love that whenever you travel, you see things that you’ve never seen before…even a clever way to show jewelry.

Storage Board — So Clever!

So if you haven’t picked up on it by now, I’m a total Pinterest addict. It started with just jewelry boards, including one on jewelry storage, but now I’ve got over 30, on various subjects. But I digress…

I’m always on the search for cool jewelry storage ideas, and I was blown away by this jewelry board that I came across during a Pinterest search!

jewelry storage board

I discovered that Becki is the creator of this awesome design. There’s complete instructions on how to assemble one of your own on her website, Whippy Cake. Personally, I don’t know how she had the time or energy to mastermind this project with three kids aged 5 and under, but kudos! Perhaps it’ll inspire you to create your own jewelry storage system. Let me know what you come up with!!

Storage: The Luxe Life!

I’ve written a couple posts about jewelry storage the past couple years, but lately I’ve come across a few amazing closets while browsing around on Pinterest. I would love to see these spaces in person!

First up is from the closet of Mary Alice Stephenson, a stylist and TV host.

The whole island is for jewelry!
The whole island is for jewelry!

Take a closer look at the pull-out drawer/trays. It’s simply jewelry heaven!

Extremely well-organized
Extremely well-organized

Next is a very cool idea. Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti, the founder of the uber-cool site Vivre, has transformed a luxurious bureau into a huge jewelry box!

Luscious color
Luscious color

This last luxe example is more of a mystery. I don’t know who’s closet it’s in, but I wish it were in mine!

The top display case is to-die-for!
The top display case is to-die-for!

While I know that these storage systems are a bit beyond reach…a girl can dream, can’t she?! 😉

Jewelry Boxes for Mom!

With Mother’s Day approaching, I know many of you out there are on the quest for the ideal piece of jewelry for your mom. Well what about upgrading her jewelry box instead? I’m sure that she’s due for an upgrade, don’t you? I like the clean lines of the Andover jewelry box by Pottery Barn. I love the glass on top, so you can really see your most-used pieces.

You can get it monogrammed too!
You can get it monogrammed too!

I also just adore these two boxes, also by Pottery Barn. I happen to own the smaller one, and it’s where I store my watches and daily rings/bracelets. A friend of mine owns the larger one, and she likes how it showcases her favorite pieces — really making her jewelry part of her boudoir decor.

Lovely and functional
Lovely and functional

Now if your mom has a bangle collection that keeps on growing, then she might just need this acrylic stand from the Container Store. They make one for necklaces as well.

Very modern!
Very modern!

Here’s a very sweet cloche from Anthropologie. I can see it used anywhere from the bathroom counter to a bedside table.

Darling!
Darling!

Now if you really want to go all-out, and your mom has a vast collection, then this would be the epitome of a jewelry armoire!

l-o-v-e!
l-o-v-e!

Of course, you can always give your mom a jewelry box with a new piece of jewelry in it as well…just a thought. Enjoy!

(P.S. My Jewelry Fashion Tips Facebook page will keep you in the know for lots of Mother’s Day trunk shows that are happening!)

Izzy Jewel Box

When Oprah gives her stamp of approval to something, you know it’s bound to be a hit.

You know you've made it if Oprah endorses you!
You know you’ve made it if Oprah endorses you!

Well I can confirm that she was right on the money with these stylish wall-mount jewelry storage boxes by Izzy Jewel Box. I finally got to see them in person at a local art & wine fair, and let me tell you, the booth was brimming with activity! And perhaps it’s time for some new jewelry storage after receiving some special holiday gifts?

Their basic boxes come in three sizes, with a variety of options as far as background color & pattern, as well as layout of the pegs and earring strips.

Example of their medium sized box
example of their medium-sized box

Here’s one of their small earring boxes (holds 24 pair) with a cool multi-colored background.

Love the background!
Love the print!

There are also some that are a bit more grand, such as this beautiful mirrored earring box.

I have a thing for anything mirrored!
I have a thing for anything mirrored!

If you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area, you can catch them live at a variety of festivals and fairs. But no fear if you’re not — they have a full selection for sale on their website.

Storage: Part Duex

So I know that I’ve already written about jewelry storage in a previous post, but I just HAD to show you another amazingly organized (and large) collection. These photos are from the closet of one of my clients. She travels the world, and has curated one of the coolest jewelry collections that I’ve seen during my many years as a stylist. No, it’s not all fine jewelry, but it’s amazing. I can’t tell you the number of hours we’ve spent “playing” in her jewelry box, accessorizing all her outfits. And I can’t honestly think of one time that she didn’t have just the right piece to finish off an outfit. She certainly gets a big, gold star for the way she has stored her jewelry in both a lovely and user-friendly way.

elfa storage drawers
The main part of her collection is stored in this Elfa drawer tower

elfa drawers
An inside look into some of the drawers

Her necklace collection has grown so large, that she got these great lucite wall mounts to display her most commonly used necklaces.

necklace storage
When you can see it, you'll wear it!

And finally, many of her earrings are now on display on top of the Elfa drawer tower. Great idea!

earring storage
Clever way to display earrings

Yet another client has been building a fabulously cohesive jewelry collection. She had a storage shadow box custom made at the local framing shop. It seriously looks like art hanging in her closet!

jewelry shadow box
Way to highlight your jewels!

She lined the cork board with silk, though using a sturdier fabric, such as linen, may be a better choice if you’re going to move your pins often. My client doesn’t, so the silk worked out perfectly.

I hope these examples inspire you to store and display your jewelry in a new way, if your current system isn’t working for you. Happy organizing!

How to Keep Your Jewelry Safe

I decided upon the ivory Grecian gown for the ball. Being a Princess, I next walked to the jewelry vault room, where my trusty guard ushered me in to select my coordinating jewels and tiara for the evening. Oh wait…I’m just a commoner…wearing jeans and a cute top for going out tonight. And my “vault” is just a regular ‘ole jewelry box. So really, what’a a commoner like me to do about keeping my collection safe? Granted, it’s not the crown jewels, but it still consists of a lifetime of carefully curated choices.

The two main components of jewelry security are the physical safety measures and the insurance. I chatted with Debbie, my go-to gal at my State Farm office, and she agreed that the best way to insure your jewelry is through a personal articles policy. You may not realize it, but most standard homeowner’s or renter’s polices only cover around $5000, less your deductible, and only $2500 for any one item. If you’ve got a sweet wedding ring, then this would hardly cover it!

To create a personal articles policy, you need to have a list and detailed description of each item you want to insure. (You’ll be surprised at how quickly things add up!) And most insurance companies will require you to have an appraisal done for any item worth $5000 or more. Most local jewelry stores can do an appraisal for you. And typically, the more items you have them appraise, the more cost effective it is. I do have a personal articles policy in addition to my renter’s insurance, and I update it once a year to reflect new acquisitions.

Next, I spoke with Captain Mike Matteucci of the Burlingame police department. As expected, he said having your jewelry in a fire-proof safe, be it a wall safe or one bolted to the floor, was your best best in securing your investments. True, a safety deposit box would work as well. But really…how often would you be driving down to the bank to get out a bracelet you wanted to wear to dinner?! (Though I guess if you have a butler, he could do that sort of thing for you.) 😉

Gem 2418 jewelry safe
This safe is quite lovely!

Capt. Mettteucci also told me that 90% of robberies occur during daylight hours, so be SURE to use your alarm system and lock your doors and windows, even if you’re just running down to Safeway to pick up a dozen eggs. He also brought up a good point about not having your jewelry accessible if you’re entertaining. He cited a number of cases where jewelry had been pilfered during a dinner party or while a teen child was having friends over. Never even thought about that one!

Finally, where to “hide” your jewelry if you’re going out of town and you, the lowly commoner, doesn’t actually own a safe?! Well he said the worst places to hide things are in the bedroom (i.e. under the mattress or in the pocket of a coat hanging in the closet) or the den. Instead, think about clever hiding places in the kitchen or your children’s room. I highly doubt that the average crook would be searching through the 100’s of stuffed animals that reside in Johnny’s room….Another friend suggested that hiding things in metal pots in your kitchen would be difficult for a thief to detect with a metal detector. Capt. Matteucii hadn’t heard of this tactic before, but it does sort of make sense.

While I do just adore creative jewelry storage, these tips do make me think. I know that jewelry is just a “thing” and that things aren’t the most important parts of life, but if I can take measures to secure my lovelies, then I’m going to do it!

Storage for Your Bling

I know that you have tried to pull out a necklace to wear and found it in a tangled mess. Or you go to put on a pair of earrings and can only find one of them.  Sounds familiar, right?  If so, then you may need to work a bit on how you store your jewelry.  I’ve got all sorts of tips to help you solve this dilemma.

Using a jewelry box or armoire is an easy solution.  And there are scads of beautiful, yet functional, choices out there!  If your collection is smaller, then consider something like this from  Pottery Barn.

For those with a more substantial collection, I highly recommend an armoire like this one from Ballard Designs.  Note that many armoires only have one or two drawers with built-in sections, so you may need to buy trays for the other drawers.  I’ve had great luck with these from the Container Store.

If you happen to have a free drawer in a dresser or closet, you can easily turn that into your jewelry box by using these same type of trays.  Most closet companies can also build in felt-covered wood or lucite jewelry compartments with sliding trays into your existing cabinetry.  Voila–instant jewelry box!

For those with limited space, these hanging organizers are perfect.

Another idea is to buy decorative wall hooks (you can find many darling ones at Anthropologie) and hang all your jewelry from these.  My dear friend Jen decorated her whole vanity area like this.

Personally, I also like to use some of my jewelry as part of my interior design.  I’ve got some of my favorite sparkly rings displayed in a domed mercury glass pedestal.  I also highlight some of my necklaces and beaded bracelets on a large, antique glass wine jug.  One caveat to displaying jewelry, though, is that it then needs dusting, and it’s more prone to tarnishing if it’s silver and exposed to the air.  To me, it’s worth it just so I can gaze at it when I’m in the room.  Lovely…..

Antique jug used for jewelry display

The most important thing is to have your jewelry neatly stored, yet easy to see.  If you can’t see something, you’ll never wear it–and your jewelry wants to be worn!