The Many Decorating Talents of Avis Dobbs
By Shelly Thompson
I was introduced to this charming and warm woman through our Instagram accounts. Her flare for creating unique groupings was dramatic and always caught my eye as I would scroll through Instagram. Her eye to detail and the ability to make any photograph capture the eye of the viewer intrigued me. I wondered, HOW does she DO IT? I had to find out more about…Avis Dobbs. The talent behind these amazing Instagram photos.
I commented on a couple of her posts and she was so kind always responding with words of appreciation. I could tell they were truly words of kindness and she was a woman with a creative talent and a warm heart. My sweet mom was from the south, and when someone says something nice and ends it with ‘Thank you, Sweetie!’…they are the cream of the crop. I knew almost immediately I wanted to feature Avis in ‘For your Heart and Home’, because she would bring such inspiration to our readers. Avis takes both large groupings of items and smaller groupings of favorite things that you might cherish around your own house…and makes them look amazing, adding lace, postcards, doilies, flowers, books, broaches, and many things you might not think of to create stunning displays…it’s that added touch of detail that elevates it to something simple, yet so elegant. Creating the perfect home décor touch!
While I was busy thinking about how to ask Avis to contribute to ‘For your Heart and Home’, Country Sampler Magazine had also noticed her creative talent and featured her in their July issue! I was so happy when she graciously agreed to be part of ‘For your Heart and Home’ July/August issue too…and sweet readers, she has agreed to do another special feature on Flatlays (which I am completely intrigued with) for our September/October issue. So, Avis will be doing a ‘double feature’ in ‘For your Heart and Home’.
Now, it’s time to meet Avis, the wonder woman behind these photos. For many years, she enjoyed working as a Human Resource Manager for a large graphics company. Avis is a trained commercial artist and has always worked in the graphics industry. Observing many trends throughout the years may have helped her accurately determine what works well together and what doesn’t work. Perhaps assisting in developing that trained eye which you will see in her photos. She says that she is retired, but…I would disagree. She may have retired from the corporate world, but that freed Avis up to enjoy and share her passions with the rest of the world. As you view her photos, you’ll know she spends a lot of time collecting, staging, decorating, and having fun.
By looking at the photos taken by Avis, you can see this gal obviously LOVES collecting. “I love to travel. I always shop for great vintage finds whenever I can explore an area I am in. I have been collecting since I was in my twenties. I realized that being in an antique store gave me such a sense of calm…and made me happy!” Avis says she started collecting chintz china very early, but didn’t stop there. “My next love was vintage lace and I mean the really old handmade pieces. I have quite a large collection! I soon realized if I collected old suitcases, I could store my collections in them and the suitcases looked great stacked up! So…it all began!” says Avis with a reflection of joy at the memory. After years of collecting, she stumbled upon vintage ironstone and transferware and…it all makes her happy! Here’s the amazing part, that makes me want to visit her home for a tour, she no longer stores the collections in suitcases…90% of what she has is out and on display throughout her home!
How did this wonderful, collecting, sweet, creative woman get on Instagram? Her husband became very ill and sadly passed away a few years ago. Avis initially joined Instagram to help fill that immediate void. She says she absolutely loves doing her Instagram page (and you will love her work too) and the vintage community she’s found there. “It was actually at this phase, I realized my styling capabilities also flowed into photography and the artist in me, knowing certain angles for photos! So now I set up vignettes and flatlays and share my photographs on Instagram and Facebook.” Avis loves taking photos. Being an artist Avis knew the angles and ways to make everything totally awesome!
It's no surprise when she’s not styling, staging, creating, or collecting…you’ll find her junkin’ with friends. Her favorite meal after a great day of ‘Junkin’? A great meal and champagne.
Look for her second article on Flaylays in our September/October issue! Until then…check out just a small sampling from her Instagram account below, or click here and go to directly to her Instagram page!
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Avis shares her collection of vintage porcelain sweeping broom ladies on this gorgeous platter. Again, the symmetry is consistent in this photo. These ladies look like they're ready to go out dancing...not sweeping. You can gather up your favorite collections and place them together making them even more interesting.
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This combination of red, white, and blue, with the American flag is stunning. Notice how she combines, croquet balls, pillows, books, postcards, braided string on books, a vintage scale, and a small red wooden box, plus more...for a pulled together look that is visually balanced despite the amount of items. You can copy this photo by Avis creating a great vignette for a dresser in a guest room, or dining room.
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This outdoor summer collection shows a simplistic, yet elegant way to arrange ironstone. The metal spoons add a contrast to the muted pallet. The pieces are arranged and grouped with height in mind. A copycat vignette of this would look great with any pitcher and plates that you might collect. Instead of placing everything in the cupboard, get it out and decorate with it!
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Avis has combined some of her favorite items for this vignette. This vintage table top dress form is amazing! She placed some ribbon, crown, jewelry around the neck, and flowers, on top of the suitcase for a unique look. This would look great on an entryway table. You could place a small lamp behind the flowers. Wouldn't guests love to enter and see this. A cute 'Welcome' sign could be placed on the dress form too!
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These are two very different ideas of how to style under a cloche. Avis placed the cloche over the spoons and marmalade jar without even a base, and it looks beautiful! Often times, a base for a cloche is not required. It will get more of a natural organic look. The bird and books are an awesome combination!
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Here Avis has combined many architectural elements creating a fireplace display that is very cottagy. Notice how she has covered the big black hole in her fireplace. This removes that large dark spot that would be apperaing. This is a great tip to cover a hole, or something you don't want guests to see, using a big architectural piece!
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This is a great way to consider displaying your books! Avis provides two completely different ideas with her amazing collection. The suitcase is filled with lots of other goodies. The collection of pink toned books makes a statement all by itself. What a great way to showcase books!
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Avis has all these manequins set up throughout her home. Wouldn't that be fun, just to have one!
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Hopefully, these photos and tips have inspired you to get your collections out and start creating some amazing and fun vignettes in your home. We would love to share some of your photos in our September/October issue. You can email us a photo at thecafe@thenotebookcafe.com. Please place September/October Photo Vignette in the subject header.
Remember, to look for Avis second article on 'Flatlays' with some photograph tips next time too. To follow Avis on Instagram, click here!
Remember, to look for Avis second article on 'Flatlays' with some photograph tips next time too. To follow Avis on Instagram, click here!
Avis Dobbs lives in Georgia where she is currently an antiques dealer at a local shop. She works for the shop as a decorating stylist and manages the social media pages. She has two nieces that have three children, so she enjoys being a fun Aunt and Honorary grandmother. Her collections tend to keep growing, along with her faith in the good things God provides in this life, if we wait. His timing.