Ask a Designer: How Can I Accessorise My Home to Best Effect?
Coco Chanel once said, ‘Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.’ It’s a good rule for our décor, too…
The final layer of designing a home is accessorising it. This is the part where you get to add those really personal touches. It’s also a chance to shop for smaller items, giving you those immediate highs when you find things you love and can bring them into your scheme straight away. Be aware, though – accessorising is an art and it’s easy to over-ice the cake. Here are some successful examples of accessorising, where less is more and every detail is considered.
Pick one star piece
Sometimes in a scheme, you really just want one big guy in the room that brings the oom pah pah, and for me it’s this stunning wall hanging. Those muted tones are just dreamy, so much so in fact that I barely notice anything else in the room. If you’ve found a really special piece, then do it justice and give it space to shine.
Sometimes in a scheme, you really just want one big guy in the room that brings the oom pah pah, and for me it’s this stunning wall hanging. Those muted tones are just dreamy, so much so in fact that I barely notice anything else in the room. If you’ve found a really special piece, then do it justice and give it space to shine.
Have words with your décor
There’s such a craze for typography right now, yet you rarely see it done really well. This, though, looks fab, and when there’s a twist of humour in there, all the better. Don’t be afraid to go big sometimes – this small caption in an oversized frame has huge impact.
There’s such a craze for typography right now, yet you rarely see it done really well. This, though, looks fab, and when there’s a twist of humour in there, all the better. Don’t be afraid to go big sometimes – this small caption in an oversized frame has huge impact.
Dare to be dramatic
It’s incredible what you can do on walls nowadays without having to have the real thing, and this mosaic chandelier just jumps out of this scheme and creates real drama. The reflections on the water are so elegant and peaceful. It’s an example of how one bold choice can have a much greater impact than several smaller accessories.
It’s incredible what you can do on walls nowadays without having to have the real thing, and this mosaic chandelier just jumps out of this scheme and creates real drama. The reflections on the water are so elegant and peaceful. It’s an example of how one bold choice can have a much greater impact than several smaller accessories.
Double up for drama
Accessorising can really pack a punch when you double things up, and for smaller pieces odd numbers look great, too. I love these twin 1960s Italian mirrors, customised with medicine cabinets on the back so all the other bits and pieces can be hidden, which work brilliantly with – and enhance – the fabulous reclaimed basins.
Accessorising can really pack a punch when you double things up, and for smaller pieces odd numbers look great, too. I love these twin 1960s Italian mirrors, customised with medicine cabinets on the back so all the other bits and pieces can be hidden, which work brilliantly with – and enhance – the fabulous reclaimed basins.
Blend and tone
Believe it or not, this relaxed display is incredibly well thought out. The homeowners have achieved the perfect balance of colour, tone, material and imagery. Blue and white china looks wonderful collected together, but the other items break it up and put space around the lovely pieces, while the objets d’art give a lovely roaming trip through memories and adventures.
Believe it or not, this relaxed display is incredibly well thought out. The homeowners have achieved the perfect balance of colour, tone, material and imagery. Blue and white china looks wonderful collected together, but the other items break it up and put space around the lovely pieces, while the objets d’art give a lovely roaming trip through memories and adventures.
Use mirrors cleverly
Mirrors can be used in so many ways and finishes. This antiqued mirror in the alcove brings a new depth to the room and I love the smoky edges. It works really well with the silver leaf on the mantel mirror and the darker lines on the mirrored coffee table. The balance is just right and the reflections work beautifully. You need to think about what the mirror is reflecting when you hang it in position – there are some things you just don’t want to see twice, or from a certain angle!
See great ways to use oversized mirrors
Mirrors can be used in so many ways and finishes. This antiqued mirror in the alcove brings a new depth to the room and I love the smoky edges. It works really well with the silver leaf on the mantel mirror and the darker lines on the mirrored coffee table. The balance is just right and the reflections work beautifully. You need to think about what the mirror is reflecting when you hang it in position – there are some things you just don’t want to see twice, or from a certain angle!
See great ways to use oversized mirrors
Show off your scents
Bathrooms can be so clinical, so give yours a little glamour by showing off your best smellies. A handful of beautiful-quality products and scented candles add a touch of decadence to a scheme, even if you never use them! Just having them there gives the bathroom a spa touch.
Bathrooms can be so clinical, so give yours a little glamour by showing off your best smellies. A handful of beautiful-quality products and scented candles add a touch of decadence to a scheme, even if you never use them! Just having them there gives the bathroom a spa touch.
Give your garden a chic shot
I love to see unusual sculptures and other objects in gardens and on terraces – it just adds a bit of personality, which can sometimes be lost when you leave the house. The garden should reflect your style just as much as the interior. I love these two statues overlooking the dining table, keeping an eye on everyone. They’re all that’s needed to lift this outdoor space out of the ordinary.
Check out more cool things to do with your garden
I love to see unusual sculptures and other objects in gardens and on terraces – it just adds a bit of personality, which can sometimes be lost when you leave the house. The garden should reflect your style just as much as the interior. I love these two statues overlooking the dining table, keeping an eye on everyone. They’re all that’s needed to lift this outdoor space out of the ordinary.
Check out more cool things to do with your garden
Set the mood
It always amazes me how very few accessories can set the mood. These three faces on the chimney breast give such a bold ethnic vibe to this pool room and bring so much character to the space. It’s a good way to incorporate pieces brought back from trips abroad, too.
How have you accessorised your place? Share your best tips in the comments below.
It always amazes me how very few accessories can set the mood. These three faces on the chimney breast give such a bold ethnic vibe to this pool room and bring so much character to the space. It’s a good way to incorporate pieces brought back from trips abroad, too.
How have you accessorised your place? Share your best tips in the comments below.
If there’s one tip I can give about accessorising, it’s that you need to do it with confidence. These are the things in your home that reflect your identity and allow you to be a bit quirky. The flower arrangement on this dining table does just that. Among the elegant neutral tones are these little bursts of colour, suggesting someone who likes to dip their toe in the colour pond, but doesn’t like to get soaking wet! I love this subtle nudge into something less contrived.