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The Art of Accessorising

The most exciting part of working on an interior project is the last hectic week where all your hard work finally comes together and the vision that you have held in your mind for so long becomes a reality. 

The decorating and furnishings are complete, the right lighting creates the perfect ambience and the scene is almost set, but not quite. To complete your masterpiece there is one crucial piece to the jigsaw that is a necessity for a perfectly balanced scheme; home accessories.

Gorgeous gold leaf dishes

Having worked on many interior design projects, the one thing that I have found along the way is that many clients are all too keen to proceed with the main body of the scheme but do not always appreciate the importance of accessorising.

Imagine dressing for a stylish evening out, you have the perfect dress, the gorgeous shoes, job done.....I don't think so! You wouldn't dream of leaving the house without completing your look, balancing your outfit with a statement necklace or at least some understated earrings and a cute clutch to go. The same applies for any home decor scheme, if you only place furniture and curtains in a room and no home accessories, your home will always look like it is in a state of undress.

If you have a coffee table in a room, dress it. Coffee tables look great dressed with a layered look, choose large decorative trays to create an impact, with luxury magazines or stylish books that create a talking point when friends pop by, plus for you to enjoy of course. Position a mix of candle holders or perhaps a trinket tray. Create interest on the coffee table without going too crazy of course, you need to leave space so you can actually use the table as well.

Georgian style project

Similar rules apply to side tables, console tables and shelving units, home accessories should be balanced and create a layered effect. For example a cluster of varied sized photo frames in groups of three, mixed up with a few ornaments creates a great composition. If using candles, again position a few together in varying sizes, accessories always look more effective when grouped in clusters.

White diamond cut candle holders

Once tables, shelves and sideboards are suitably dressed without going overboard (unless you want to go for the cluttered Victorian vibe) then move your attention to the walls. This is an equally important area that is sometimes sadly neglected. Wall art and decorative mirrors are equally important for creating not only interest and colour on walls but for also creating depth to a room, there is nothing worse than a bare wall. Decorative Mirrors are particularly fantastic for transforming a room, creating illusions of space in small rooms or helping bring light into darker schemes, but I will cover that in more depth another time.

Notre monde round mirrors

The role of the home accessory is essential to every schemes success, they are not just there to fill a space or as an after thought but to help create a balanced interior scheme. Home accessories are used as colour accents in home decor, for example if I am designing a room using deep teals and emerald greens for the main hues then I will bring in gold or copper accessories, which contrast brilliantly against the darker colours and lift the scheme. Without contrasting accessories the scheme would look lifeless and flat.

Gold pineapple decorative jars

Most importantly after you take into account all of the above, the humble home accessory achieves  one last very important thing, personalising your space and making your house feel like a home. Have fun accessorising. :)

The Return of the Sideboard

A particular favourite of mine, I bring you the sideboard.

I have always had a soft spot for mid century style sideboards, I can't explain why. Perhaps they remind me of much loved and used pieces that you would see at your grandma's house or maybe because they instantly make a room feel more homely, particularly once adorned with photos and personal items collected over the years.

Mid century style sideboards are experiencing a huge revival right now in the designer, high street and up-cycled scene, in addition to this a new wave of sideboards are stealing the show.

Think crazy designs, sculptural textures and a plethora of stunning finishes and materials. I love this unique design by Umos. Dark Spin Sideboard

But if this Umos sideboard is a tad too crazy then how about the sultry Abbado cabinet from Julian Chichester, finished in rich brass foil. Abbado Brass Cabinet

For a modern take on the mid century style I adore the collections from the Portuguese furniture design team at Mambo. They effortlessly meld classic and contemporary design and techniques together, creating stunning visual pieces. Favourites are Jazz in pink and teak below and the Samoa with forest lacquered and polished brass detailing.

Jazz Sideboard above and Samoa sideboard below.

What ever your taste in furniture, it seems that sideboards and low cabinets are here to stay. Long live the sideboard!