Looking good so far.

What I would do is consciously consider categories, then do your best to see that the items in each category are spread around evenly. If there is only one item in the category, consider eliminating it, or adding some more.

A quick look at your pic, I see blue items, picture frames, cameras, plates, clear glass, silver metal and so on. If you do this, you will definitely have a well balanced arrangement.

Thank you, Annie, for your great suggestions. I will definitely keep them in mind as I continue arranging the breakfront.

Does anyone have any ideas of what I would google to find pictures of breakfronts used to display items like mine instead of china?

You might look up how to arrange a bookcase....same principles, you just have fewer books and more tchotchkes.

{{!gwi}}

Some decorator says a display should tell a story about you. For example, it looks like you are Danish (the, are they B&G?, plates) respect history and storytelling (the books, cameras, and pictures), and like springtime or have a cheery personality (the crystal). Even if this story isn't true LOL!

I especially like the book corner, with the vintage stamps and cameras. Think in terms of vignettes, like the book corner. I think all the items can go with each other, but the crystal seems to fight with the book corner somehow, KWIM?

Wow, bpathome, you are very insightful AND very accurate! Thanks for your response. I am indeed trying to showcase family history in the breakfront. To start with, the piece of furniture belonged to my grandmother! You are right. The plates are B&G Mother's Day plates from each year one of our 3 children was born. I am not Danish, but my maternal grandfather was. Some of the books are Gregg shorthand books that belonged to my mother. I think I'm going to add some more old books to the other side and continue looking around the house for more family history to add.

Are we sisters? I've always wanted a sister! My mom was a terrific secretary, used shorthand forever, and I took Gregg note hand in high school; it got me through my college lectures (and now I use it to write secret notes to myself but not in Danish LOL) and my brother does photography.

My aunt will add one or two very nice seasonal ornaments to her display, not tchotchke-looking, but just to make a cohesive whole, refreshed for the season. For example, right now she replaced a bowl with a gorgeous, kind of realistic porcelain rabbit. It can be fun to use things in new places!

Do you have other mementos of your children, like a christening cup, photo, heirloom gift, diploma, to combine with the blue plates? You could make three not-too-crowded vignettes, one for each, and one for the family. One vignette in each door, middle shelf, say. Or alternate them with the book/camera groups. Maybe a silver platter by each as a backdrop or anchor? Also, it might look cool to have a vintage photo by a vintage camera. I don't want to make the whole thing a shrine, though, so have one other collection in there.

Consider lining the back with paper or fabric for more color