I want to share with you 5 styling tips which are essential to making any space visually appealing. Styling can be thought of as the icing on the cake-the final ingredient that changes a cake from being just okay to fabulous.
As a designer, I often struggle with my clients to let me ice their cakes, so to speak. It is this final layer of accessories which transform a room from ordinary to extraordinary.
Last weekend, I had the pleasure of having some of my work photographed outside of Austin, Texas. I wanted to share with you FIVE tips which will add the WOW factor to any space.
As you can see from the photo above, there are many layers. The table is set with placemats, plates, napkins and napkin rings. Bright yellow flowers in a vase add height and the small topiaries add visual interest. Beyond that, there is a comfy pillow at the head chair with another layer of visually appealing wine, lemon and limes on the bar.
Adding texture gives dimension and depth to a space. As you can see in the “Before and After” photos above, texture is used in several areas to add dimension to the space. Of course, the stone fireplace is a given.
Notice the jar and the fireplace screen on the hearth. Your eye would skip looking at the hearth if there wasn’t some visual interest there. The round balls made of branches on the mantle add character to the mantle and help frame the art work.
The grapes on the tray on the coffee table even add a little depth. Although you probably won’t have grapes on your table all of the time, it is a great idea to use when entertaining to add an appetizer which is visually appealing and appetizing.
Plants are the quickest way to add a pop to a room. Every space should have something living in it. Living plants can add warmth to a space by helping a room not look staged. Plants are natural-nothing staged there. Adding a pop of green gives zest to a dull space. With all of the hard surfaces in the photos above, the green gives the eye a place to rest.
This outdoor space would be pretty static without the use of color. The playful pillow at the head of the table adds spark to an otherwise ordinary patio chair. Notice the beach towels on the left, they even add a touch of color. In the lounge seating area, once again the colorful pillows pack a punch. And of course, the bouquet of flowers are the piece de resistance. Instant color and instant drama right from your local grocer. Nothing can get much easier than that.
Add softness- are you wondering what kind of tip is that? It really is a tip and it really does make a difference in a space. If you notice in all the photos above, there are many elements which add softness.
First and foremost, the pillows add softness and invite your guests to stay awhile. I think the pillows at the head chairs of the table allow your guests to feel at home. The pillows soften the hard edges of the metal chairs. The napkins even serve to soften the entire table scape.
My five tips for styling a room are quick and easy fixes to add a designer’s touch to any room. If time and budget are a constraint, simply pick up a potted plant and a bouquet of flowers and Voila!-you have styled your space.
I hope that this post will help you to see that styling and accessories are truly the magic which brings a room to life. It is kind of like my mother always says, “You aren’t completely dressed until you put your lipstick on.” The same goes for designing - a room isn’t completely dressed until it is styled and accessorized.
Happy Styling!
Leslie Hendrix Wood
Decorator
Chancellor Interiors
Midland, Texas
Founder, Editor In Chief
Hadley Court
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