shelfie refresh
As a designer I love to see what other people predict as trends. Personally, my philosophy on trends is to not build and design around what is “trendy”, instead what resonates with you. What makes you feel whole. And with that I don’t typically subscribe to trends but focus on beautiful designs that last because they resonate with me, or they resonate with my client.
One shift in design I have noticed however, is how to accessorize shelves. I have never been a knick-knack kind of person. I rather lean on the side of having nothing than having items I’d never use. Which is why I am ALL on board for the direction of using more and more useable items on open shelving.
And with that being said… here are my rules I stand by for accessorizing shelves:
Rule #1: My biggest rule for accessorizing shelves: accessorize with items that are useful. When I am doing a detail package for clients including accessories for shelves (or in my own home) I use the built-ins or the shelving in the kitchen/pantry for actual storage of useful items. Here are some examples:
Kitchen/ Pantry
-Bowls, plates, cups, mugs you will ACTUALLY use
-Good looking drinks that don’t detract from the aesthetic of the space
-Basket of fresh fruit
-cookbooks (if the binding isn’t what you want to see all the time, flip it the other way with the pages pointed out)
-cake stands, trays, platters neatly stacked
- food storage items you frequently use
Bookshelves
-vases
-coffee table books (most people use coffee table books for décor, but I use books that are meaningful to us. I draw inspiration from the books)
-candles & candlesticks
-throw blankets
Rule #2: Layer. Like a good outfit, your shelves should have layers. Now that does not mean all shelves need something upfront and something in the back. It could mean some have that, while others have layers in heights. It could also be layers in textures. Have soft goods layered with hard surfaces.
Here is an example from my own great room built ins. I have stacked blankets (I could use) next to a hard vase, which I also use on occasion for fresh flowers while entertaining.
Rule #3: Add interest by adding different shapes. Some ideas would include: crystals, candle sticks, vases, sculptures…etc.
Rule #4: Add items that are meaningful to you in way that also coincides with your aesthetic of your home. For example, family pictures in frames that relate to the rest of the room are an easy way to add the personal touch. Items from travel or occasional holiday décor set up peppered in with items that are long term and neutral. Here is an example I’ve done with the guitar and original iPod my client owned and had meaning to him. I layered it with some neutral photography and family photos as well as candles and coffee table books or large photo albums stacked.
Cheers to a new year! And hopefully revamping your shelves to resonate what makes you feel whole inside your space and show off your personality and interests.
#designwithdetail #ksstudio