Decor Fix

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How to Style a Vignette

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Decor "Quick Fix": 3 words to use when styling

Hi, friends! Welcome back, come on in, have a seat and get comfy for another round in the decor “Quick Fix” series. My friend and fellow designer Beth of Design Post Interiors is here to share her “Quick Fix” with us this fine Thursday morning.

(Side note, it’s actually a pretty terrible looking morning from my vantage point. Snow, ice, freezing temps? Blech. At least there’s good stuff here to keep me distracted.)
Decor "Quick Fix": Beth of Design Post
How to do I even properly introduce Beth? Well, let’s just say that if we lived in the same city I’d probably want to chat and have coffee and work with her.Every. Single. Day.

Beth is also a designer (a crazy talented one at that) who juggles momhood, client work, and blog life in the same fashion I do. On any given day one of us will shoot the other an email with a question, suggestion, idea or book recommendation. 

Beth will be showing us how to style a vignette.  Her advice brilliantly helps to demystify the styling process. Let’s get to it!

 

Decor "Quick Fix": 3 words to use when styling
BETH’S QUICK FIX: A Styling Formula

One of my favorite things in decorating is styling the little vignettes…mantles, entry ways, console tables, and bookshelves. I think I love these kinds of projects because they totally give me an excuse to shop for accessories.  I can often be found wandering through HomeGoods, Target, and Hobby Lobby, so why not put that habit to use?!

Whether you’re using new accessories or just swapping things out that you already own, it can be daunting to put it all together in an attractive way. I have created a little “Styling Cheat Sheet.”  When I tackle a new spot I go by these three words:


smooth +  textured +  living

Of course it’s also important to have a variety of heights and shapes but choosing an item from each of my categories (smooth, textured, living) will help things have a more collected feel.  And collected is better than things looking like a display!
Decor "Quick Fix": 3 words to use when styling
GIVE YOURSELF OPTIONS
I always start my styling projects by laying out all of the possible accessory candidates.

I choose one piece and build from there. I have found that the best combination is something smooth next to something textured, for visual interest, and then something living added to the mix.
Decor "Quick Fix": 3 words to use when styling
“Living” to me can mean a plant, a sea shell, a vase of flowers, or a piece of driftwood.  It doesn’t necessarily have to be alive just something that lives in nature.  Having this element makes the space feel more organic and less staged.
 
Here are some small vignettes from around my house to help illustrate my tip…
This is not my true workspace (you can see that here), but I styled this following my “Smooth, Textured, Living” technique. Now I’m strongly considering making this my permanent desk!
Decor "Quick Fix": 3 words to use when styling
Decor "Quick Fix": 3 words to use when styling
This is the one and only fake plant I will use. (Found here) And those are some small pieces of coral I found on our trip to Mexico.
Decor "Quick Fix": 3 words to use when styling
Last is my coffee table, and this week I added these adorable yellow craspedia flowers. They remind me of the Lorax!  They add such a fun natural element, and I love them paired with the high-glass teal vase.
Decor "Quick Fix": 3 words to use when styling
Decor "Quick Fix": 3 words to use when styling
You can never go wrong with these opposing textures and a little touch of nature. I always snag some flowers when I am at the grocery store ,and I also snatch branches from my yard when I am looking for a quick and FREE living thing.
 
And the bonus tip of the day is to run to your nearest Target and buy these urchins.  It’s a set of 3 for $20, and I promise you will find approximately 1,247 uses for them.  I have two sets at home and they are constantly my go-to when I want a little texture and something gold.
 
Thanks so much Heather for inviting me to share my two cents!  I hope that I have inspired at least a few of you to try your hand at styling today.  Play around with some accessories and see if you can find an interesting mix of smooth, textured, and living!
Decor "Quick Fix": 3 words to use when styling
Spend some time over at Beth’s today if time is on your side. She’s a master at creating beautiful vignettes and entire rooms. Check out her gorgeous living room update she posted recently.

Also if you’re in the Charlotte area, be sure to check out her fun local events. She offers workshops and style sessions that look SO fun!

In case you’ve missed any of the past posts in the “Quick Fix” Series…

Series Intro & my “fix”: Fabric Covered Books
Little Black Door: Lampshade Covers
The Makerista: Using Greenery in Styling
Primitive & Proper: Hide an Unused Fireplace
Thistlewood Farms: White Dishes Freshen ANY Room
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