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Successfully Introduce Accessories

Ideally, the accessories in a home are collected in stages. Select them carefully and make sure they actually add something to the space or do not conflict with the main furnishings in color and scale. Often one of the first selections is a mirror with size and details such as a beautiful wood finish or a bevel detail.  The next introductions into the accessory category likely are paintings or photos.  Be careful to place art appropriate for the room, for example, sports related images are not for the formal living or dining rooms.

Purchasing and acquiring art is personal and relates to images attractive to the owner such as landscapes, seascapes, abstract, geometric, or contemporary.  It is important that the image in the room is complementary. The art display is in harmony with the room not an eyesore or distraction. Too much art stifles and overwhelms a room.
 
The next introduction into a room is lamps and lighting.  This includes table lamps, floor lamps and hanging fixtures. Lamps that are the correct size for a table surface fill the space on the table appropriately and art behind them is unnecessary. In the past few years chandeliers appear more frequently.  This is a wonderful departure from the overuse of recessed cans in the ceiling.  Small chandeliers are an option to replace a table lamp but need to be carefully selected for proportion. Select styles much smaller than one for a dining table and add a dose of drama.
 
The next stage is a critical one for it involves the introduction of vases, candle holders, obelisks, boxes, ginger jars and clocks.  All of these objects offer opportunities to add accent colors, style influences, personal taste or memorabilia from heirlooms.  A rule of thumb is to vary sizes of objects by height and width.  The relationship must in proportion to the other objects. One approach involves use of the same color for a group of accessory items. Use odd numbered groups and begin arranging them on tables.  Step back and gauge the impact. Ask yourself is the group too much, wrong size, not in harmony.

The final stage entails editing.  Vases can be rotated by season and used with our without flowers. Refresh the look of a room with alternates. On special occasions use the crystal vase, and then return the solid colored vase. Remember, not every gift requires display. Restraint adds more not less.  Step back and ask yourself if there is one thing or more that is excess.   
 
The words of Coco Chanel, the fashion designer, are suitable for accessory display too.  Her comment goes like this, "Before you leave the house, take off the last thing you put on."

Get inspired - Faith Sheridan Interior Design Group.

 

 

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It's not too early to  prepare for Autumn (I know it's still summer); feel free to share this with clients and friends!