Interior Design with
Julia Luttrell
The heart of accessories
Ah spring, a time of rebirth and renewal,
when human instinct driven by nature craves a creative change. We want a
fresh new nest and we want it now!
The only problem with instant gratification is - it isn’t fast enough I
always say. But take heart, the addition of a few accents and
accessories can quickly accomplish a mini makeover to instantly satisfy
your immediate design aspirations.
In design the effect of accessories cannot be underestimated. When we
think of clothing, accessories, handbags, shoes, scarves and jewelry are
the elements that create the ultimate effect. Ideally, accessories
should be unique, compatible and adaptable. If they also manage to be
functional, that’s an added bonus.
Home accessories and accents have the same impact and should have
similar qualities of uniqueness and adaptability. They can change
entirely the emphasis placed on a particular area, can make or break a
carefully conceived effect, and they make a dramatic visual statement
that stamps a home’s personality on a space.
Frank Lloyd Wright once said, “God is in the details.” I’ve often walked
through a client’s home and with a little flourish here, a dash of
definition there, and some attention to scale and balance, rearranged
the existing furnishings and accessories to produce a spectacular fresh
effect without spending a penny on new product.
True, it helps to have an educated eye and the benefit of years of
creative experience, but that’s what designers are for. It’s great fun
creating a whole new look by working with what you have, and the simple
act of grouping similar or related objects has a fascinating effect.
There is an art to arranging displays so that they look natural, as
through they’ve always lived happily together. Try to mix strong
contrasts, leave enough space for the entire arrangement to be clearly
seen, and avoid a “too perfect” result that looks lifeless and
contrived.
In my own home I have a few favourite pieces; a lamp, a vase, and a
document box, that seem to be able to move all over the house and work
into any arrangement. This compatibility is what makes an accessory a
truly adaptable classic.
Another classically
familiar approach is creating a traditional grouping such as the
arrangement seen in the attached sketch. Imagine these three main
elements, the lamp, the vase, and the round table cover, done in a
contemporary, rather than a traditional style. The combination of
elements remains the same, yet the style of the individual pieces adapts
it to a dramatically different environment.
As with many things in design, the key to creating groupings is knowing
when to stop. There is a big difference between collections and clutter.
You may love each individual piece, but if you have to start weeding
out, you know you’ve gone too far.
So, for that spring-fever fix to feed your need for instant
gratification, consider first the concept of reshuffling “stuff” and
re-adapting your accessories.
Sure, you may ultimately make a few purchases, I admit. One thing does
leads to another when dealing with design, but in the meantime your
rooms can be completely changed by the introduction of a different
arrangement of your existing pieces. Try it…you’ll write to thank me.
