Creating pretty vignettes or groupings is one of the the easiest ways to add a designer touch in a room. Think of them as beautiful still life on top of shelves, tables, fireplace mantels, dressers, countertops, or any other flat surface that your heart desires. You can use accessories like mirrors, decorative boxes, greenery, floral, vases, urns, obelisks, photos, or any other personal belongings to create a mood or a feeling in the room. When your vignette includes items that have special meaning or sentimental value, it serves as a wonderful inspiration and conversation piece that is sure to make you smile whenever you enter the room. A vignette makes a room more pulled together and polished and reinforces the rooms color scheme and theme.

Whether your style is traditional, contemporary, shabby chic, transitional or an eclectic mix, you can create a pretty vignette to express your inner designer. Here are a few things to consider when styling a vignette.

• Be sure that your vignette or grouping includes a light source, whether it is a lamp, sconces, candles or natural light. If your vignette is arranged in a dark corner, the effect will be lost.
• Be sure that the objects selected suit the style and theme of the room in the way they are arranged. Symmetrical arrangements work best in a traditional room and an asymmetrical arrangement works best in a more casual room.
• Choose colors that will complement the dominant color in the room. Florals are a great way to do this
• Place several objects of similar shape, size and color together in odd numbers for maximum impact. Groups of three or five work particularly well and are stronger visually than a group of two or four

•  Vary the heights of the objects being placed in your grouping. Use small pedestals to elevate items. Try stacking books to create a platform for smaller objects.
• Stick to a theme (within reason) or like items… for example, adding a seashell to an arrangement of photos of a family beach vacation. Please avoid the temptation to overdo the theme. Subtle works best.
• It is important to create depth in your arrangement. Instead of lining up items in a straight line, it is more visually appealing to place objects from the back of the flat surface to the front. Placing objects on top of a mirror, or leaning them against a mirror that’s on the wall, is an easy way to create a sense of dimension.
• Vary the texture of the objects. Mix hard and shiny accessories with rough and natural. Use weathered wood or iron architectural elements to introduce an unexpected texture. Photo frames, which come in finishes from shiny enamel to beaded, offer an array of texture options
• Your vignette is not restricted to just the table surface. The wall and floor  space around it is a part of the composition and need to be addressed as well

Vignettes can be as simple or as complexed as you like, but the principles of proper scale, proportion, balance and rhythm need to be applied. You can start simple and layer on more objects as you feel more comfortable. Remember it is a great idea to use some objects that have some special meaning to you. After all, that’s what your home should be….all about you and your lifestyle.

Here are a few more vignettes for your viewing pleasure! Enjoy!

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Be Inspired!

Veronica Solomon