Mr. Zhu Jiaji, a cultural relic expert, when discussing his family's “scholarly” environment, mentioned eight characters: “meticulous desks, elegantly arranged.” This can serve as an important reference for placing antiques at home.

Things are pleasing to the eye when clean; they are better appreciated when neatly arranged; and rooms feel fresh and more enjoyable when items are well-placed. Specifically, there are two points to consider:

First, it is preferable to have fewer rather than more Teapots on your Tea tray. Although purple clay teapots should be used frequently and not just left on a shelf, many tea trays are cluttered with numerous teapots, resembling a parade line-up. This makes it difficult to highlight any particular theme or focus one's appreciation, and also increases the risk of damage. Therefore, it is recommended to keep only one or two teapots in regular use on the tray, while storing the rest in a Teapot cabinet.

The composition of a tea setting should emphasize “negative space.” On a simple table, you might place just a few utensils: one teapot, a couple of cups, and necessary accompaniments.

The use of tea space should also reflect tranquility and simplicity, avoiding clutter and complexity. It can serve as a place for spiritual cultivation, entirely dependent on the host's cultivation. This is not merely about personal pursuit but also involves participants who constantly measure their ideal sanctuary within their hearts.

Second, the layout must be reasonable. The placement of purple clay teapots should be appropriately spaced and well-coordinated. Many people have multi-tiered shelves, but the arrangement of teapots on them should be thoughtful and harmonious, different from those displayed in a teapot shop.

In shops, teapots are densely packed for easy viewing by customers, but at home, they should be spread out and given room to breathe. Ideally, each section of the shelf should hold just one teapot, with solid, floral, and ribbed teapots alternated. Pairing teapots should not be symmetrically placed, and there should be some distance between teapots of similar shapes or styles to create a sense of depth.

Over time, as collections grow, there may be a need to fit more into less space, leading to disarray once again.

The best approach is to simplify. After ensuring that the teapots are completely dry, store them in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. In the future, periodically rotate the teapots on display in the multi-tiered shelves. This keeps the shelves tidy and refreshed, achieving two goals at once.

While arranging teapots may seem trivial, both practically and aesthetically, it carries significant knowledge. On a broader level, it relates to the dialogue between objects and space, testing the collector's understanding of beauty through spatial elements.

Reserve a little time and space for your own heart. Not only is this essential for self-nourishment, but it is also the beginning of rediscovering one's sense of beauty.