Secrets to Creating Beautifully Styled Surfaces

The secret to creating that effortless, airy but curated styled shelf, surface or vignette in your home? One that when you walk by you smile and high five yourself because it made you smile. There is an actual process to that and it takes practice.
This is always a trouble spot for clients and I think one of the most important aspects of a room. The layers of styled decor on surfaces make a space feel like home - your home . In a past blog I talked about the layers of the whole space ....here I'm focusing on all the pretty surfaces.

Remarkable Modern Cottage 

Here are a few tips to consider when putting your styled surfaces together.

1. Collect all the things you love and want to display. If its seasonal, collect the theme of the season. If its all decor then make sure you love every piece. If its pleasing to your eye in your space and especially if it has meaning or a story then thats good design for you. Let go of perfection and instead embrace how it makes you feel.

Remarkable Modern Cottage 

2. Think about creating space instead of filling it. It's a picture so view the space within that frame . Air around an important piece will allow it to shine amongst the other background bits . Think about the star of the show. Do you see it? What are you trying to express?

French Country Cottage 

3. To go along with space remember to edit or in some cases add. Stand back after your first attempt - do you need to remove a piece ( usually I take something away immediately ) or perhaps its too bare, in which case you may need to add something . I like to do a little "messing up" to give a surface a more lived in look. Sometimes we just need it simple and that is enough . Trust that. Containing decor on a tray is a great way to keep it simple.

Remarkable Interiors 

4. My favourite .... find that oddball thing to add interest . Something that's not from a store. A funny bit collected from travels, found in nature , something interesting and unexpected. I love old books , keys, antlers , a framed note or quote. A stack of books is a perfect perch for that last fun piece.

Pinterest 

5. Bring in the organic. I am a broken record on this with all our design. It will really pull your styling together. Greenery ( live or faux ) , floral, branches or twigs from outside. Organic material brings in texture that will fill in the spaces in a natural, less structured way .

Remarkable Modern Cottage 

6. High / Low . Are there elements in the top of your "frame "?  On the bottom? Trailing organic is a great way to create the low and taller pieces like candles sticks fill in the high part . Lean a framed piece of art or photo in your middle zone to balance it out .

Remarkable Modern Cottage  

7. I'm big on breaking the rules...yes odd numbered groupings are pleasing to the eye, but when you stand back and feel like something is missing then go ahead and add a fourth element! Go crazy ! Use colors and things you love even if they don't match perfectly. It's your space. Less thinking , more feeling. 

Remarkable Modern Cottage 

Enjoy the process! Practice makes perfectly imperfect!