Insta-Worthy Accessorising
Let’s talk home accessories; all of us have our own innate style that transcends into our homes – it’s the little things that make you smile; a photograph that jogs a precious memory; or a little something collected on a trip – for me it’s a set of ceramic vases I collected after a stint in Florence. Seeing them in my home takes me back to my time in the cobbled-street city, the little Florentine ceramic store and the wonderful potter who spun each pot on her wheel and hand painted each piece with unimaginable ease. Every house move, every re-design - they come with me.
Design by No 12 Studio
It really can be a challenge incorporating these elements into your home. And what looks like a wonderful buy in a store can sometimes feel lost in your own space. With endless inspiration available on Pinterest and Instagram, styling your accessories in a living room or getting that perfectly-styled console can become ever so tricky. So, let’s break it down.
Size.
When it comes to accessorising, size matters…
As with most home accessories, the natural tendency is to go small. Why invest in the big vase when there’s a smaller option – it seems less risky and, if it doesn’t match, perhaps nobody will notice. But it’s this little design insecurity that often makes our homes feel cluttered, and unpolished.
I’m not saying to replace all your small accessories with ginormous pieces, but varying heights and volume keep a room interesting and emphasise the space you have.
It’s about scale; you won’t notice the true grandeur of your 3m house plant unless you have something much smaller in the room. The smaller piece acts as a comparator in the viewers sub-conscious (when designers become psychologists!). And the same applies vice versa.
Notice the varying heights and volumes in this interior - the tree is a spectacular feature, but the three black bowls by the fire don't go unnoticed.
A home of Ellen Degeneres & Portia De Rossi by Kathleen & Tommy Clements
Don’t be afraid to make statements with your accessories. They can help make small spaces feel larger, and large spaces feel less overwhelming. For larger rooms like the living room and bedrooms, why not chose a houseplant or a sculpture that towers over you; if you have the ceiling height, go big.
A residential design in Central London, by no12 studio
Smaller elements are great for dotting around areas of interest within a larger room, like next to your favourite coffee table books or alongside a night lamp. We love a sprinkle of eucalyptus branches, or sprigs of lavender – both have a wonderful smell and so create a point of interest by activating an important sense, often overlooked in design.
Downtown Dubai design by Pallavi Dean
Layout.
Ever tried to arrange your favourite pieces on a shelf and no matter what angles and arrangements you try, something feels off?
When it comes to displaying your accessories, unless you’re a designer or have an innate sense of balance – follow the rule of three. It’s a fool-proof way to ensure your display is easy on the eye. The method is simple, arrange items together in threes – it can be three identical elements or three items of varying size and shape, but always keep it to three.
The rule can of course be broken; particularly if you want to incorporate symmetry into the space or if you prefer minimal living; then it must be broken, but if that’s the case then it may be time to think about hiring an interior designer. There’s a fine balance between symmetry and asymmetry, it’s pernickety and detailed, but ultimately results in a gorgeous space
Design by Kelly Hoppen
Design by Anouska Hempel
Notice the sets of threes in this image
Design by Gam Fratesci
Notice there are three elements atop the sideboard, but – the bowl, teal ball and mirror are grouped together as three, the lamp together with the two identical wall sculptures are three.
Show us yours! Let your inner stylist free, and tag us at @bysozo_ with images of your spaces!
