Accessories & Furnishings
The art of arrangement
The art of arrangement
Accessories & Furnishings
The art of arrangement
Grouping together collections of objects is a stylist's dream but can sometimes be a source of confusion for a
home decorator. Should you place picture frames all the same together or vary the shapes, colours and sizes? Would a mix of old and new chairs work better than a purely vintage lineup? Is it better to cram a shelf, tabletop or mantelpiece full of objects in the hope that one of them stands out from the crowd or should you aim for a discreet display of three objects?
As a general rule, grouping similar objects together in groups of three works better than a pair of things. Eclectic collections supply visual interest and random picture frames look perfectly find as long as there is variety to create an engaging visual feast. When displaying only a few objects, make sure they are in keeping with the overall style of a room. Three church candles on a mantelpiece will look good in a simply styled room, for instance, but will get lost in a room where riotous colours dominate.
Group pictures
A lined-up display works best if all the individual elements are quite different from one another. In Vicente Wolf's New York loft he has ranged a collection of black and white photographs along two seamless shelves to create a gallery beneath which many styles of occasional chair make a witty parade.
Art gallery
Rita Konig prefers a random grouping of images above a fireplace. A mix of canvases and framed paintings carry a subject matter of flowers and nature. Grouping items by theme can work well.
Glass array
Jonathan Adler's collection of 1960s Venetian glassware is humourous and colourful against white walls and fireplace in a traditional room. They are as unexpected as they are funny.
Fall shades
Modern-day interpretations of apothecary jars have a delightful, decorative, pharmacy-feel to them. Vivid colours and a lot of detailing make them ideal for a striking window display.
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Excerpted from Decorate by Holly Becker and Joanna Copestick Copyright © 2011 by Holly Becker and Joanna Copestick. Photographs Copyright © 2011 by Debi Treloar. Excerpted by permission of Chronicle Books. All rights reserved.
As a general rule, grouping similar objects together in groups of three works better than a pair of things. Eclectic collections supply visual interest and random picture frames look perfectly find as long as there is variety to create an engaging visual feast. When displaying only a few objects, make sure they are in keeping with the overall style of a room. Three church candles on a mantelpiece will look good in a simply styled room, for instance, but will get lost in a room where riotous colours dominate.
Group pictures
A lined-up display works best if all the individual elements are quite different from one another. In Vicente Wolf's New York loft he has ranged a collection of black and white photographs along two seamless shelves to create a gallery beneath which many styles of occasional chair make a witty parade.
Art gallery
Rita Konig prefers a random grouping of images above a fireplace. A mix of canvases and framed paintings carry a subject matter of flowers and nature. Grouping items by theme can work well.
Glass array
Jonathan Adler's collection of 1960s Venetian glassware is humourous and colourful against white walls and fireplace in a traditional room. They are as unexpected as they are funny.
Fall shades
Modern-day interpretations of apothecary jars have a delightful, decorative, pharmacy-feel to them. Vivid colours and a lot of detailing make them ideal for a striking window display.
BUY THIS BOOKExcerpted from Decorate by Holly Becker and Joanna Copestick Copyright © 2011 by Holly Becker and Joanna Copestick. Photographs Copyright © 2011 by Debi Treloar. Excerpted by permission of Chronicle Books. All rights reserved.
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