Interior Vignettes- odd numbers are your friend!
A beautiful interior, everyone desires one. But once your floor and wall coverings are on point, your woodwork perfectly painted, your stonework smashing, how do you get that cosy, personal yet still sleek vibe? With judicious use of the “vignette” gorgeous people!
#FYI- VIGNETTE
“A brief evocative description, account, or episode”, “a classic vignette of rural life”. “ A small decorative design or picture placed just so”. Synonyms- depiction, story, narrative, picture, portrayal, illustration etc. In this case we are discussing vignettes in terms of interior styling ie the idea of telling a story or evoking a reaction to our arrangement or story of objects.
Objets d”art, collectables, even old tools or implements- just about anything can look amazing and give your interior space depth, texture and story, but ONLY if they are displayed with elan, wit and even sometimes at odds with typical surroundings. To my mind the collected and collated objects really engender individuality and interest if they have something pertaining to your personal story, not just bought bits thrown together.
Do note, behind my current dining table vignette ( Indian Hindu temple angel, hand made coil pot, crystal flower, bronze Balinese candle holder, cool rock from Cornwall) is a large vase filled with my husbands collection of arrows from his time in PNG, don’t they work beautifully as an unexpected talking point?
#HERE’S HOW-
Now I am joking ( but only a bit!) when I say odd numbers are your friend, even are also lovely but immediately give a more formal aesthetic ( eg think of two identical candlesticks on either side of the mantelpiece and you’ll get what I mean!). This balanced symmetrical visual is harmonious in a period home or if that trad feel is what you’re after. For a more modern vibe odd numbers read better to the eye and different opposing textures, materials and colours add interest.
#FOR EXAMPLE-
My white vase collection works and doesn’t read BLA as the sizes , shapes, and textures all differ, you could also do all white save one bright vase in contrast for an element of surprise. One great idea to complete a vase vignette is to place different cut blooms of varying heights and hues in each vessel, gives a wonderful lush look! OR- if your vases have nothing in common to “tie” them together, try the opposite , that is pop an identical bloom in each vase for continuity, looks amazing! I often do the varying blooms trick for a special event when I am receiving guests , I then place them all in clear view eg on a hall console or kitchen bench where they will be seen and enjoyed.
Which objects to use to create a visual story in your home? Pretty much anything, best of course is a grouping of bits that mean something to you and your life. That’s why just buying a whole lot of pretty objects from Ikea or similar doesn’t wash, an authentic interior expression takes time. Why not enjoy accruing meaningful pieces along your journey through life? A quick example, whenever I travel I bring back one pretty or unusual rock from each place and add it to an artfully arranged pile. They look awesome together and form a gorgeous frame for a single “hero” element, sometimes they support my treasured Hindu temple angel sculpture, but that always changes! Remember a home is like a living thing, it has energy and should be an ever evolving space. Don’t let it get stale and play around with your vignettes!
What if- you want to do a vignette of supposedly unrelated items? How to pull them together ? Easy- just unite them on a tray or underpinning that compliments their colour, texture and form. For example, you might have a mixed bunch of old mismatched glassware or cups , pop them on an old wooden board or into a sleek metal tray, add a tea light, single bloom, cut herbs etc into each one, place them in clear view as a feature and voila- instant interior goddess cred!
Always remember to not put out everything on show that you possess- less is more in most things actually! Don’t crowd the place, your eye or your spirit. Try this exercise for size- strip every decorative piece save the furniture from one room at a time, then carefully edit new vignettes from these exisiting pieces but using less than half of them, take your sweet time and enjoy it! You will soon see a much sleeker look where the remaining items really shine, AND you can either pack the other bits away for the next time you feel like changing things up OR you can bite the bullet and start giving things away that no longer speak to you.
#FINALLY-
If it’s not beautiful, functional or tell a story, what’s it doing in your life/living room? Get rid of it and lighten both your space and your mental clutter!
Seeya!
Les AKA the champagne diva!
xx