The Final Layer of the Home
Great design is about many elements – space planning and scale, how textures and color work together, and how these all function for an improved lifestyle. With so many important design considerations, the last layer of accessories and art is too often overlooked as a key part of what makes a house a beautiful home.
That last layer of accessories solidifies the essence of a space and brings comfort and beauty to a home. Pulling together a curated and balanced collection of art, accessories and fresh greenery sounds easier than creating lighting and tile specifications but anyone who has tried can attest that it does take a sophisticated eye to bring it all together.
Here are three styling elements I live by when designing the final layer of a home, as shown in a family living space I designed for a lovely client in back country Greenwich.
The Bar Cart Vignette
Bar carts offer a really fun way to bring some personality into a home. To create a cohesive vignette, I keep the color palette pared down, playing off the neutral colors in the space. To bring interest I mix objects in varying heights and shapes with distinct areas that make it easy for the eye to take in the total look. It is important to give a sense that there is a neatness and order, as that is naturally pleasing to the brain. The long stems of the orchid connect the wall art to the bar cart to create a cohesive focal point in this space. Yet there is open space so that it doesn’t feel forced or cluttered. Clusters of three objects together, from the crystal to the Pellegrino, define various sections of the bar cart, while a stack of books bring a grounding weight to the vignette and fresh greenery softens the edges for a relaxed feel. The idea here was to create a calming sensation before you even pour your drink!
2. Bring in Fresh Life
Plants and flowers bring life and energy into a space and offer that little breath of air that makes a room feel inviting. I love to create a clean, luxurious space and adding a bit of greenery brings the feeling of nature in while warming up a neutral palette. It’s always a good rule of thumb to carry out an accent color throughout a room (in this case the green in the plants) so that your eye travels across the space and can absorb the full effect easily. The different heights and shapes of the plants here allow for a sense of movement and create an organic feel that doesn’t come off as overly contrived. The natural color and presence of living things adds to the comfort of the space, while further enhancing the effect of the last layer of accents.
3. Layer in Art with Accessories
If plants breathe life into a space, then art brings in personality and creative inspiration that is just as important in making a house a home. I gravitate to art that is inspired by nature and expressed with minimalist, abstract brushstrokes. These works allow for a meditative quality that is very soothing. To keep the space from feeling cold and museum-like, I layer in furnishings like lamps and decorative objects to add a sense of depth to the art. Frames are so important when considering art and I opt for thin, elegant frames that not only elevate the painting but the entire mood of the room.
The challenge in pulling together the last layer of accessories and art is the ability to see how all the pieces interact. I so often hear from friends and clients that they cannot envision how everything will look together until they see it. I’m grateful that I’m able to help bring in these various accessories and accents that successfully complete the project. Interior design is only as good as that beautiful final layer that makes a house a home.