I have a set of built in shelves in my living/dining area. Three tiers across, all filled with various objects that are part of collections. There are too many things in there so it isn't much of a display. I should take a page from your book and organize those. And the goal of having guests over is a great one! Last year I finished converting an old small dresser into a glass-topped buffet, and I still haven't done any entertaining to show it off.

SRS