Step into the office of collecting editorial director Fritz Karch. As a collector, Fritz loves to be surrounded by his collections and books about collecting. There are so many interesting things to see and learn in Fritz's office. And the best part is that Fritz is always willing to share the story behind his vintage findings. Here's a closer look at his fascinating office space.
1 An overview of Fritz's office space.
2 This is a Japanese print that Fritz found and hung on his wall.
3 Vintage wire shelves display some of Fritz's favorite objects, including figurines and sewing patterns.
4 The box in the corner is a collector's item–filled with different types of wood. Students would receive these boxes to demonstrate the differences among things found in nature, such as wood or sea shells.
5 Fritz organizes his collections by the type of object–vintage spoons, rulers, and food storage containers all have their place.
6 Fritz's bookshelves are filled to the brim with books on history and collecting.
7 Vintage gardening tools and desk supplies can be found in another corner of the office.
8 Fritz uses this vintage crochet sampler from the late 19th century as a wall hanging.
9 Vintage stools with a small footprint provide extra seating and serve as a good place to rest fabric samples, when not in use.
10 Here is a close up of Fritz's fabric finds.
11 This miniature Christmas tree is made entirely of recycled materials–beechwood nuts covered in colorful thread, a styrofoam cone, and a bottle cap.
12 These are examples of stainless Revere Ware from the 50s or 60s. Fritz enjoys collecting different types of tupperware, as evidenced in our special issue–Boundless Beauty–which showcased a collection of vintage Pyrex containers.
13 A collection of knives with various types of handles and a sampler of leaves can be found in a separate corner of the office.
14 These vintage glass bottles are both beautiful and useful. Learn more about collecting them here: http://www.marthastewart.com/275556/collecting-bottles-and-jars#/163812
15 Smarties are Fritz's favorite candy to eat and to share.
16 These are vintage fabrics and papers. I love these colors and patterns.
17 This "living picture" is similar to the Mole and Thomas photographs that inspired Fritz to create a story in the July 2007 issue of Living.
18 I asked Fritz to show us a few of his favorite books.
19 Fritz showed me this book about objects made from European wire.
20 Vintage glass holders were made entirely from wire. They have such complex designs.
21 Another book focuses on collectible garden tools.
22 Spread out across two pages, this collection of watering cans looks quite impressive.
23 This vintage copy of Collectors Items from The Saturday Book features various eccentric and obscure British collections.
24 A collection of pebbles is one example.
25 A Passion for Collecting is all about collecting ceramics.
26 A charming image of white ceramics in a kitchen.
27 These ceramics are embedded into the wall becoming a feature of this home's interior.
28 Here is a close-up of this amazing use of ceramics.
Kevin Sharkey 
From: Rowaida Flayhan | 9/20/11 at 9:07 am
I noticed he likes collecting lots and lots of stuff, it is very interesting to meet another colleague of yours. Best of luck and success to him.
Regards
From: N. Martin | 9/20/11 at 12:06 pm
Thanks for the Fritz post. I adore him.
From: Katherine | 9/20/11 at 2:43 pm
Fritz's office looks like the kind of place I could visit and not come out of for days. What wonderful stuff.
From: Linette | 9/24/11 at 5:54 pm
Adore the spirit of Fritz and surrounding himself around the things he loves! Kevin, could you get him on Sirius sometime? Fritz is an encyclopedia of collecting information.