Two things I think we all could use a little more of these days: time and money. If you're a collectahollic like me, that rings true even more. But even if you're short on change, a little creativity goes a long way. Enter the Faker, a quirky, super fun column in the Chicago Tribune from writer Judy Hevrdejs, together with photo editor Mike Zajakowski. A couple of weeks ago, Judy and I chatted all about collections—why I love 'em and, more important, how to fake 'em! Check it out! (Click twice to enlarge.)

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Three of the pictures came from old collecting stories we did on antique silver trophies, Jasperware, and Bakelite. The other one is a vignette of curiosities, new and old, with a distinctly Chinoiserie feel. There are transferware platters collected over years, Chinese dragons from the flea market, and pagoda shakers from a great store in Rye, New York called Wish. You can even see the two vases mentioned in the article that I spray-painted black to look like Wedgwood basalt!

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Have a great holiday weekend, everyone! Jaithan and I will be back Tuesday with a fantastic, behind-the-scenes tour of the Food Network prop house you're going to love! But in the meantime, on the subject of collections, have you ever faked a thing or two in your home? I'd love to hear about it.