Styling Tips
Styling Shelves
When I’m styling shelves, I always start with the biggest pieces first. Paintings, jugs and vases give everything else something to work around. Once those are in place, I add smaller pieces to fill the gaps and create different heights. I try not to spread everything out evenly because it can start to look a bit flat. I never stack the same thing above or below, you can see here that the paintings are not on top of each other. The key is to stand back a few times to see where something is missing or there is simply too much.
The Power of Books
Ah…the power of books. I think books are one of my favourite things to use when styling a room. A small stack can give a lamp, vase or ornament the extra height it needs to look right. I mix books standing upright with others laid flat to create different levels. They are also an easy way to bring in colour and personality into a display. Sometimes moving something up by the height of a book is all it takes to make an arrangement work.
I love to use what is growing in the garden in the house all year round. Flowers are lovely, but branches, leaves and even things that have gone slightly wild can be far more interesting. A few large branches in a vase can fill and empty corner or add height to a table without needing much around them. I also dry hydrangeas and other flowers so I can keep using them long after summer has gone. It’s free, it changes with the seasons and it makes the house feel connected to what’s happening outside.
Bring the Outside In
Vary the Heights
When everything in a display sits at roughly the same level, your eye doesn’t really know where to go. I like to create a bit of movement by mixing tall candlesticks and branches with smaller objects, books and ceramics. Start with the taller pieces and work your way down. Take a few steps back as you go because it’s much easier to see the over shape from across the room.
Inspiration Gallery
The House over the years
