BEAUTIFUL ACCESSORIES IN 7 STEPS
by Ian Hartwell
Jones-Keena & Company
It takes many layers to make a house a home. In creating a beautiful space, it is
the last layer of accessorizing that is the most critical but also the most difficult to
execute correctly. The goal when accessorizing is giving the space your own
unique personality, yet it should look effortless and compliment the interior.
 I always have compared accessorizing to the taming of
a wild beast. Sometimes too many “things” can get out of
control. It seems perfectly natural to take all of your
sentimental and beautiful things and place them out on
all the surfaces so that you can see and enjoy them.
Resist that urge! Using a little structure and restraint
can help organize the space and create order and
balance. To get the best results when accessorizing a
room, here are some guidelines to keep in mind:
COLLECTIONS
If you have enough space, place collections together in
a group. This gives the collection a sense of importance
and makes a single statement. Within the collection,
mix in books and artwork to break it up the grouping
just a bit and keep the eye moving around all the
pieces.
BOOKS
Books should not stand in bookcases like soldiers.
Stack some of them on their sides and using others to
elevate objects at different heights. Place stacks of
book to the front of your shelves and to the back to
provide depth and interest. Buy beautiful books
whenever you can, and always buy hardcover. The
leather or linen binding will last a lifetime.
OBJECTS
If you do not have a collection to display; try
placing objects together that have something
in common, such as color, texture or theme.
If you have objects that are all the same height,
try using wood or Lucite blocks to vary them.
PICTURE FRAMES
Photographs can look busy and chaotic. Create
a feeling of calm and order by selecting frames
that are similar in color and style. I especially
like using silver frames. The frames’ styles may
be different, but they should each be the same
finish. The continuity of the silver creates a
“collection” out of the photographs.
ART
Art in a home is completely subjective to its
owner. If you would like to use an heirloom
painting in your contemporary house, think about
changing the frame. Taking a traditional painting
with gold gilded frame and changing it to a more
transitional frame will work wonders. Take smaller
pieces of art and tuck them into book shelves to
use as accessories.
BUYING
Always buy classic beautiful things. Try to avoid
trendy items, but if you must have them be
prepared to put them away when they go out of
style. Treat your home like your wardrobe.
BOTTOM LINE
The trend in accessorizing is EDIT, EDIT, EDIT.
If you have too many things to display all at once,
set up shelves in the basement or pantry for items
that you love and do not want to part with. Display
them in an orderly fashion and every so often
switch items within your house. It’s really like
shopping for something new. It keeps things fresh,
ever changing and you get to keep many of your
sentimental things. |