Do You Need An Accessories Intervention?

I think from time to time most people can benefit from one, unless of course you are a minimalist- then I would hope that the few things on display are extremely interesting,  high quality or useful in some way.


L'Objet dragon candle in porcelain jar.
 Yes, this little guy was pricey, but long after the intoxicating scent is gone
 the container can hold anything from jewelry to paperclips to lipsticks!

Often people fall into a rut and keep buying the same things over and over. I find women tend to buy too many small objects- as if they can't commit! Before they know it, they've amassed a lot of items that they don't even like all that much,  serve no purpose and do absolutely nothing to enhance a room!

This particular client loves the beach and shells, but this wasn't working:

This was in the kitchen after the reno, but before the backsplash went in. A real head scratcher.
Uh...we need an intervention!

This was added instead. And her love of shells? Incorporated in more sophisticated ways.

 

The first step of an intervention is to shop at home! Initially, clients always dread this process. I have them pull everything out of everywhere. I even ask if I can shop their other rooms just in case they missed something. Afterwards, they feel always feel more organized and have a much easier time of getting rid of clutter and unnecessary objects.

Yes, we've all heard it many times before- accessories are the last layer, personalize the space, tell a story etc, etc, etc.  But, they can also bring a room down just as easily as they can elevate one. That's why an intervention is so often necessary. Survey the goods, then hand select the best and most useful items.

Once everything is out in view, I group the like items together- that way I can tell very quickly what there is to use and what problem areas may be present. Can you spot them?
 This client had too many glass items, too many small objects, a lot of shiny items and no flower vases.
We need an intervention!!!

I don't like buying things for my clients just to fill a void. I always prefer to use what a client has, add what they need and let those little voids fill themselves up naturally over time or add fresh flowers or plants. So often, it's really just a matter of using things you already have in a new way or by placing it in a different room. From the items gathered above, here are a few of the ways I used them around her house:

The client already owned these beautiful hurricanes. The shell orbs were found in a new local shop and the client loved them, but worried about their periwinkle color. My response, don't worry about the color and let's buy them- she never expected me to use them in her hurricanes! They are now on the dining room table and one of her favorites things.

I purchased this bowl for the client and dubbed it the mermaid bowl as a reference to the beach.
 The shell and twig were the clients and are made of graphite.

The client's brass candlesticks, that she didn't previously care for,  now
 look so pretty with their newly added unusual green pattern tapers.

Sometimes, a different arrangement is all that's needed to acquire a new found appreciation of things you already own and such was the case with with Abe. He once belonged to the client's father and got moved from room to room. He now sits, with dignity, on a library table.

The Lincoln bust now resides on the library table, with old keys found in the bottom of a drawer.
The brass julep cup and green bowl are new. They both serve a purpose, one holds matches the other flowers!

But, I'm no snob when it comes to accessories and I'll shop anywhere from Target to antique shops! However, I still keep my design peeves in mind, no matter what!

I think it's perfectly fine to pair a pricey  porcelain candle jar with an inexpensive faux shagreen
box from Target on a Swedish wood table!

 And when I do shop, I select each item with a specific client in mind and hope that it serves a function whether it's the soft glow of a candle in a wonderful scent, an attractive magnifying glass to read the fine print,  a handsome box to stash all the remotes, a vase for flowers, or a pretty pencil cup.

The tray and brass julep cup are new, the antler was found by the client's son
and the glass orb/paperweight I shopped from the clients office!

 It's rare that I ever buy exact the same accessory for different clients. It  has to be something pretty fabulous and flexible for me to buy multiples.

And, such was the case with Target's Nate Berkus faux shagreen storage box and the brass julep cups from my bloggy friend, Sue, owner of the fabulous online store zhush.com!

Tomorrow's Tuesday tip will show a few ways of incorporating what client's already own into  beautifully displayed collections!

Reader Poll: Toss or Chop & Fold or Throw?

There are definite opinions amongst designers, stylists and homeowners about how to arrange accessories, particularly pillows and throws. I am sure many of you have observed these variances while looking through design magazines or books. Last night, I was flipping through Canadian House & Home and they had a tiny article debating the subject.  I too think it's a great debate!  I'd love to hear your opinions and personal preferences. Of course, it's only fair that I go first and share mine. I fall into the toss and fold group.

I toss my toss pillows whether it's on a sofa or a chair. I don't care for the chopped look as reminds of two pointed dog ears. Think German Shepherd!

Tossed



Chopped. Or dog eared. The throw is folded on the sofa back.



Chopped.



Tossed. Note the green throw folded on the bench in the corner.
 This type of loose quick fold is what I can manage daily!



Tossed. Throw folded on the arm of the chair.

My interpretation of a throw is that it is an item you throw around your shoulders while reading, watching television or napping. Not an item to be thrown on sofa or chair. I find it's really not an achievable look for everyday living. It takes effort to actually style it into a thrown/draped look. It's fine for a photo shoot, but for real life it just seems like too much effort and not very authentic.


Thrown. Styled. Arranged. 


In our house, we have a couple of throws in the 3 rooms used for the activities I mention above. And, when someone is done with the throw,  it's usually left in a heap! Occasionally, the person using it folds it. Most often, it's me going from room to room doing a quick fold first thing in the morning (while the coffee is brewing) and putting the various throws on the arms of chairs, the backs of sofas or stacked on an ottoman.

Now it's your turn ! Do you chop or toss your pillows and do you fold or throw your throws?

Note: It only took a few minutes to find pictures in my file labeled Living Rooms to illustrate the options for this friendly debate. Since there was clearly something I like about each of these rooms and/or the designer's work, I've purposefully left out the sources this time as I don't think how they style the pillows or throws is an indication as to whether it's good design or not. The first 2 images and the last one are from retail web-sites.

Pedestals

I am not entirely sure why, but I've had a long time interest in pedestals. It's probably related to my interest in architecture and history.

Suzanne Kasler. This is actually a pair, the mate is on the the other side of the table.


I had someone ask me once if I could find them a "thing" that is used for plants and statues! Often they are confused with plant stands. Pedestals are more substantial in every way as their main function is to support heavy statues, vases and busts. When I think of pedestals, I tend to think of them as being mostly from the Roman era or Victorian period. Of course, neither of these are entirely correct, but I mention it because I think others may share that perception or may consider them to be too formal or old fashioned. 



Pedestal with a bust. Classic combination.

I also love old garden urns and spent years on a quest to find a matching pair and then of course matching pedestals. Pairs of either have eluded me. It's not that I can't find pairs, I just can't find pairs that I like and can afford! Twice I have found pairs. Once at an auction and once at an antiques show. They were so exquisite, I wanted to cry.


The lion heads make the pedestals interesting and fun!



During the late 90's I purchased two pedestals from two different shop owners. One is  painted cream and you saw it here topped with a black antique garden urn in my dining room. The other is a gorgeous antique pedestal. The only information the shop owner provided was that it came from an estate, is made from mahogany and is believed to be English.

My pedestal topped with a giant finial.

The last of this season's peonies. It's an ever changing display on the pedestal.

This pedestal weighs a bloody ton and takes two people to move it! The detail on the bottom even in it's crumbling state charmed me. I paid about $300 for it and remains one of my favorite things. I wish I new it's age, details of it's original owner and what kind of house they lived in?


Detail of the base.

One of the most appealing aspects of a pedestal, is they take up dead space and make dull corners more interesting.  I love using mine for seasonal displays of flowers or branches. All pedestals look amazing topped with finials, urns, sculpture or a fabulous bust. They are especially perfect in dark corners that don't get enough light for plants or trees. I also love to see a pedestal at the end of a hallway or in front of a window, they add so much interest.

In the corner of a hallway.

A pair flanking the french doors of an Americana styled breakfast room.



Pedestals really do work with any style or decor, which makes them just about the perfect accessory! Don't care for classic or antique versions? How about some with a modern twist?


Mariette Himes Gomez

Thomas O'Brien

This glass pedestal is incredible. You wouldn't want anything obstructing that view!

Acquired Objects just went through similar agony to mine of trying to find a pair of pedestals and instead cleverly chose to created her own, with the help of her handy husband. She needed a pair on which to place two recently acquired antique urns. The pedestals were based on a magazine cover. You can read about the details here, they're fantastic!


Mary McDonald. I am almost positive these are from the Wisteria catalogue from a few years ago!

 For those who don't want to spend the time searching for the perfect pedestal or making your own, catalogues such a Wisteria and Restoration Hardware can yield some decent pedestals. Don't forget to check e-bay and 1st dibs too. For the die hard treasure hunter, check your local antiques dealers, salvage yards and don't forget to check Grandma's attic!!!

Except where noted images courtesy of Elle Decor, Tradtional Home, House Beautiful,Vernada