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Unable to get rid of special items that are precious to you? pieces that you have accumulated over time.  These pieces can come into your possession via various means, perhaps a piece that has been passed down through the family over the years and means a great deal to your family, or perhaps memorabilia from holidays you have taken or an inexpensive piece that made your heart melt in a second hand store?  Incorporating spaces for these items in your home styling proudly putting them on display says how much the memories they express mean to you as a person. 

A vignette is an array of items such as artwork, vases, lamps or sculptures put together to provide a memoir for the people living in your home.  Unfortunately grouping these items together without a careful application will turn out looking like a mess on display!

There are five key guidelines when creating an awesome display of your precious curios in your home.

1. Find a specific surface or alcove in your home that is crying out for not to be a plain Jane and in desperate need of visual interest or textures. To really make the area a total spotlight for your vignette, the proportions of your items need careful consideration and how much space is needed for them. The area surrounding the vignette needs to be unruffled and not needed to be disturbed on a daily basis.
2. How many objects are needed to create a vignette is totally open to the maker, however, too many objects risk looking crowded and messy and less than three is not enough!  To create an incredible display of objects of different sizes, colours and textures is to go with odd numbers and more than three giving the viewer visual suspense.
3. To add an element of coherence to your vignette put items together with perhaps the same hue of colour or similar textures, this will add some consistency to the display without it looking matchy matchy as some view as what should be done in interiors.  The key is to step back and take a good look at what you have created, instinct will tell you if something is off or if it needs something else adding.
4. When sorting what objects you would like to see in your vignette, look for objects of various sizes and shapes to add interest, one item may stand out as chief of all the pieces this object is your major piece and will create the focal point to your vignette and all other objects will refer back to it.
5. The configuration of the objects is key to the whole idea of a vignette and various ways of structuring the display will give it different looks depending on your style.  Make a start by adding larger objects first then filling the gaps in between with the smaller objects, this can create a triangular shape were the layers begin tall sizing down as they reach towards the front of the display.  This style of display allows the viewer’s eye to move around the display, allowing for the viewer to take in the absorbing effect.  The symmetrical style of display where objects are a mirror image of each other on each side is a very orderly way of arranging objects.  Another type of display is the asymmetrical where objects sit off centre especially the tallest of them gives the vignette a very casual feel where anything goes and works!  Allowing for some areas to be object free allows the viewer to take on board the features of each object and why it has been placed with other pieces of interest sparking a conversation as to what and where each object came from and why it is precious to you and your family! 

Animal print is a perennial trend that always comes across as super chic and is now considered a neutral whether in fashion or interior design. A key trend for interiors 2020, whether your choice is leopard, zebra, cow hide or snake print is not a dilemma you need to consider.  The key to this trend is to be brave, have courage as animal print is no shrinking violet.  Depending on your level of courage and confidence in your decor scheme here are some ways to add animal print to your decor whether that be a minimal accent or something a bit braver!

Animal Print Throws and Cushions

To add just a shot of animal print to your decor choose your animal print of choice and use throws and cushions to add design and interest to perhaps a more neutral background whether that is in a living room or bedroom.

Animal Print Rugs

If you fancy walking on the wild side this is the way to go, however, use a larger size rug to grab attention this could be real or fake depending on your personal ethos.  The look could be taken down a peg or two by using an animal print that isn’t as bold as others such as a reindeer or really go to town with a cow hide in a bold colour such as yellow or pink. Skins are now also available printed in metallics which could add a luxurious feel to the decor.

Animal Print Furniture

For the more adventurous furniture pieces are really investment pieces for the home so should be well and truly loved!  The level of fearlessness can be measured by the furniture pieces chosen an animal print stool, upholstered coffee table or a headboard are a brave enough choice for some and for the fearless a full animal print sofa is a must have. There is only one tip to pass on if animal print furniture is for you.  Animal print works perfectly with a colour cohesive space so if the print is leopard for example add neutrals and tans and a drop of black within the space whether that be the paint colours or accessories in the room.

Animal Print Accessories

A minimal way to add just hints of animal print to your space that are affordable and readily available is to use animal print accessories.  Don’t be afraid to mix animal prints too this will add visual interest to the space.  Animal print is available in lots of accessories such as trinket boxes, candles and coasters all perfect to create beautiful shelving displays or a perfect vignette for your coffee table.

The answer is yes you certainly can! To add definition, depth and drama to any room all it needs is a touch or a great deal of black as long as you have the knowledge of how to use it in the right way. Below are some ideas of how you can achieve this.

Make a space feel distinguished 

Black in a room will not create a sense of openness in fact on the contrary it absorbs the light coming into the room, however, this is not a disadvantage this allows the space to cocoon you whilst adding strength and character to it.  This is perfect perhaps to any room such as a dining room or living area where you want to create drama.

Create a hypnotic feeling to your bedroom

To add a warm, loving feeling to your bedroom you cannot go wrong with adding black to your colour scheme.  Paint all the walls in charcoal based black or a blue-black and harmonize it with the use of white colour on the ceiling, bedlinen and accessories to give a timeless feel to your bedroom.

Using a black pattern for floors and tiling

With tiles and flooring readily available now in distinctive monochrome patterns this makes the perfect solution to adding black within your home especially in kitchens and bathrooms.  A lot of softer variants are available using black with an ecru or off-white, but for a real striking effect look no further than black and pure white to soften the hard lines of these spaces.

Feature wall painted in black

This can be done in any space within your home and will allow any lighter colours of soft furnishings and accessories etc. to pop against it, these pieces might have been lost in a lighter coloured space.

Using black in older properties

Some older properties still retain their beautiful and unique features, however, using black such as creating a border on the wall will add definition to the space allowing stunning features to stand out whilst adding a modern feel to the property.

The question everyone contemplates when considering using a dark colour in their space is Will it make my space look a lot smaller?

“It’s not true that small rooms must be painted white to look bigger,” says paint expert Annie Sloan.  “The same effect can be created with black, pale colours emphasise the light, but dark colours blur the corners and edges to give the illusion of space.”

We all do it, choosing the style of a room then furniture and accessories to go into it without really considering what type and where lighting should be placed within the space, and how we want it to make us feel when spending time in there.  

Aside from the ceiling light you really need to put some extra thought  into what type of lighting and at what heights you want them as this will add the ambience to a room.  Lighting is not only for decoration but is vital in showing us where to manoeuvre or illuminate somewhere you spend time doing tasks like reading or a hobby for example.  Here are some examples of lighting options and where to place them for specific tasks.  

Floor Lamps

These lamps are great situated next to a sofa to light down on something you may be doing on there or perfect in a corner space as they are tall they will give light to a higher space perhaps something on the wall you would appreciate being well lit for people to observe.  

Wall Lamps

These lamps are available now in much more contemporary styles than used to be.  They can be used to create just a small amount of light and ambience to a room (so you don’t trip over) rather than having a big ceiling light on, and they are superb for lighting anything on the walls such as artwork or decor and making the a great feature of the space.

Table Lamps

Table lamps are now part of the accessory buying for a room as they come now in all shapes, heights and sizes.  They are produced with current trends in interiors as well as the classics which have stood the test of time.  Whichever is your favourite style gone are the days when one table lamp in a room makeover is the norm.  Numerous lamps all at different heights and positions depending on its task and look are now what is being seen in magazine articles and websites.  

When thinking about your space and how you want it to look, I recommend trying to make a mood board with everything you love whether that is cut outs from magazines or on pinterest, it is vital to consider your lighting choices within this time, how you spend your time in the room for example watching TV, reading, socialising and what appropriate lighting you require in there.  Then the fun part is going shopping for lighting you need and love!

Using odd numbers and the three height rule on shelving

As I have discussed in previous posts objects for display always look and sit right in odd numbers upon any surface this rule applies with shelves too.  Another important guideline to remember is the three height rule tall, medium and short.  The tallest at the back, decreasing in size towards the front.  Don’t worry if all your items do not adhere to this rule, make items taller by placing them on top of something, a book for example.

Using a zigzag pattern

Using this pattern as you style your shelves will trigger a visual balance to the viewer.  So at the top on the right hand side use your favourite iconic pieces preferably a larger piece and on the alternate side perhaps stacked books horizontally or vertically or groups of your favourite items. Continue the same concept on the opposite side of the next shelf, continuing the process down the shelves to the bottom this will create a zigzag pattern.  Using this rule will help keep the groupings looking like they have not just been dropped there and create an exceptional focal point.

Using a strict colour arrangement

Creating a united scheme on your shelves can be achieved by using the same hue of colour in objects on the shelves, however, textures and materials do not need to be the same to achieve the cohesive look use metallic and glass objects in the same hue to add interest and curiosity to the display.

Simple and blended look

For an uncomplicated look to your shelves and having a purse friendly demeanor, stacking piles of books or magazines (which to be honest interior decor addicts have a lot of) can provide great visual impact to a space.  Allow the stacks to be at different heights to add interest, however, do not just shove them up there, it is essential to be neat and tidy with them facing all the same way etc, otherwise it will give the appearance of a mess and not thought about at all.

Who would have thought decorating what is in fact dull storage pieces could be turned into a head turning piece just by what and how you place objects upon them.