Artwork & Accessories

We started walking through the concept of how to dress your home back in October.  If you're anything like me, you may have already forgotten what we've talked about to date.  If you're not, then this recap is just for my benefit (ha!).  So far we have addressed:

- your budget

- your timeline

-how you use the space

-patterns and colors you like

-how to draw a space plan (and hopefully you've actually drawn one!)

-the ways area rugs can help or hinder your look

-more about paint than you probably cared to know

Today, let's pick up where we left off.  Let's get lost in the world of accessories.  Accessories are my favorite part of an outfit, and of a room.  These pieces are a chance to let your personality shine.  Personally, when it comes to an outfit, I am a watch person.  I love an oversized face- I mean BIG- in a great metal with a little bling (maybe I was a rapper in another life).  I then tend to stack bracelets with my watch to create a grouping of arm candy.  While this sounds like a lot happening on my wrist, I do operate by Coco Chanel’s rule of put everything on, and then take one item off.  I find a good balance in this method of editing.

Accessories in the home offer the same opportunity as fashion accessories: to showcase who you are. 

Did you select a solid colored, textured fabric for your sofa?  Pop a couple of colorful throw pillows grouped with another pillow showcasing your favorite saying on it. 

Are you a world traveler? Arrange the trinkets you’ve picked up along the way within your bookshelves amid the books you’ve been reading and your family photos.  

Mixing the types of items you display on a bookshelf or tabletop creates visual interest. 

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Accessories aren’t something that will show up on the space plan you've already created. This will require some trial and error in terms of placing items where they look best.  No two people are going to arrange their accessories in the same manner, because no two people will have the same life experiences or perspective.  But, I can give you some tried and true tricks to help you accessorize in a way that makes you want to show off your space.

-Group things.  Rarely, do you want an item to stand all by itself (the exception being if it is an oversized piece that commands attention).  You can work in pairs or in odd numbers- whatever feels right to you based on the items you are working with. 

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-Vary height and stagger items.  It is not visually pleasing to see a straight line of items all at the same height.  Move pieces forward of, and behind each other while still keeping everything visible.  If you find that all of your candlesticks are close to the same height, turn some books on their sides to create a stacked base and top with one of the candlesticks. 

 PDR Interiors, photo courtesy of Veronica Gettinger

-Mix colors.  Life isn’t monochromatic.  Mix white ceramic vases with silver picture frames and blue pottery.  Keep in mind the color scheme of your room, but don’t feel it is necessary to match it exactly.  Instead, tie in certain colors or elements of the room, so the accessories feel at home in the space. 

 

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-Choose a variety of items. Picture frames, metal orbs, glass sculptures, ceramic vases, woven baskets, small pieces of artwork on stands, and books are all great elements to use when accessorizing a room.  The placement of these pieces will be determined by the function of your space.  If little hands or wild pet tails are a concern, place breakables at a level where they won’t be in danger.

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Wanna know a secret? I will style a shelf or tabletop, and 20 minutes later come back to look at it with fresh eyes.  Almost every time, I tweak something- the angle of a photo frame, the height of a stack of books, etc.  You will more than likely do the same thing- it’s okay.  Just get started!  The best way to accomplish your goal is to dive in and play around with the placement. Don’t be afraid to place something and then re-arrange it later.

You would make my day if you would message me photos of your accessorizing work.  i'd love to see all the fun you are having!

-Liz

Gathering the Facts for your Project- Patterns & Colors

Post 5/5 in the series Gathering the Facts for your Project

Well, we've come to the end of our line of questioning.  After you answer today's questions, you should have a clear picture of your project's parameters.

What patterns and colors appeal to you?  Which ones don’t?

Making a note of the colors and patterns you enjoy seeing within your space like will be helpful in keeping you focused while shopping.  The list of what you don’t like really is more important than what you do like.  This list of “don’ts” is the key to  how to avoid buying furnishings that just aren’t your style.

We’ve all done it- bought that CUTE top because the print looked so good on a friend.  But, ever since getting that shirt home and hanging it in the closet, it hasn’t seen the light of day.  The tags still hang from the sleeve, and likely always will.  Do you know why?  It’s because you bought a piece of clothing based on how it looked on someone else, not on you.    Do not make this kind of mistake when it comes to the pieces for your space.  Don’t get blinded by the way items look in a showroom.  Treat your color and pattern preference as guidelines, and you won’t make a purchasing mistake.

Remember, your home serves as the backdrop to your daily life.  It’s not the star of the show, don’t become a slave to it.  Make the pieces within your home work for you while making the space look good!

Having the answers to the questions we've discussed in the last month makes it easier to move forward with selecting the pieces for your project.  Every time you make a selection for the space, make sure it stacks up against your answers  before purchasing.  If it doesn’t, don’t force it, move on to find something else. You’ll be disappointed if you settle, so don’t!

I would love to hear from you on if these questions were helpful for you when planning your project.  Feel free to comment here OR email me liz@pdr-interiors.com.

-Liz