How to style a vignette like a pro


By Kelsey Pudloski and James Bombales
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If your Instagram feed is teeming with design bloggers, you’ve likely come across a #shelfie or two. A search for the hashtag yields over 380,000 posts, each surface more perfectly styled than the last. While the word itself originated from social media, the shelfie is essentially a vignette — a grouping of objects that is orderly and visually appealing.
Seems simple enough, right? Well, not so fast. There are basic design principles that should be applied when composing a vignette that’s worthy of a double-tap. To learn more we turned to Sarah Macdonald, the co-owner of LIVSSTIL, a lifestyle concept boutique in downtown Toronto with an edited selection of Danish homewares. She shared her top seven tips for crafting a thoughtfully designed vignette.

1. The objects in your vignette should have meaning to you.

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“It should reflect you most of all, and include items that you feel a personal connection with,” explained Sarah. Forego the decorative orbs you bought on sale at HomeSense and opt for a souvenir from your travels or a family heirloom. “Don’t put things out on display just because you think they’re on-trend, you’ll never be able to keep up. Classic and beautiful pieces that are important to you will never go out of style.”

2. Consider cohesion.

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“The objects in your vignette don’t need to be identical, or necessarily fit a theme, but they should have a common sense of flow that’s visually appealing,” said Sarah. For example, vignettes are perfect for displaying small collections or similarly colored items. “It’s much better to put those objects together than to have them scattered throughout the house.”

3. Add height.

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“Your eye should travel,” noted Sarah. “Always make sure there is some variation in height, as this provides a layering effect.” Try stacking books to give certain objects a lift or adding a quirky table lamp. Even a serving tray can provide a much-needed boost. “In the Day Home spring/summer collection we’ve got a brass tray that really adds a sense of warmth. It can be used on top of an ottoman or a coffee table — there are so many different uses.”

4. Display objects in odd numbers.

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“An even number of objects tends to look quite static and flat, which is not very appealing,” said Sarah. Groups of three or five tend to work best. “Again, bring in objects of different heights, varying textures — it’s all about how pleasing the vignette is to your brain when you look at it.”

5. Let there be life.

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“I think every room of your home should have something green and living,” said Sarah. “Natural colors are just so bright and welcoming, and plants also improve air quality.” To lend an organic feel to your vignette, arrange branches in a tall vase or display individually potted succulents on a lower level.

6. Blank space is ok.

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“Allow for some free space so that your eye can have a rest and take in the beautiful display of objects that it’s just seen,” insists Sarah. “This is especially true for small spaces — less is always more.” To prevent it from looking cluttered, carefully edit your vignette down to the items that “make you feel good,” said Sarah.

7. Take a pause.

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“Arrange your vignette, step out of the room, walk back in and take another look at it,” suggests Sarah. If you’re still having trouble editing your surface, ask for help. “Take a photo of it and text it to a friend,” suggests Sarah. “It will give you a new perspective.”
 
Original source: BuzzBuzz Home
Read original article here.

Original article: The Province
Read original aricle here.