Some people have accessories galore, scattered about the house. Organized in attractive displays, your treasures can give a room focus. Here are ways to get more bang out of displays:
Scale:
Vary heights among objects -- and think big. If you find an accessory you like, go up one size to get the right scale.
Color:
On shelf displays, repeat a shade already in the room -- a blue ceramic teapot to pick up the blue upholstered sofa, for instance. For impact, group items of the same color.
Groupings:
Display collections together -- wooden candlesticks, ceramic horses, snow globes, family photos. (Remember, odd numbers are more effective than even ones.) If you have a large collection, rotate the pieces occasionally.
Texture:
Mix materials to play off each other -- the rough weave of a basket paired with smooth porcelain, for example.
Must-haves:
Remote controls, newspapers and magazines may not be pretty, but they end up on tables and shelves nonetheless. Just organize them so that everything has a place -- in baskets or decorative boxes.
Lighting:
Accent displays with lights so that they can be fully appreciated. A small clip-on lamp can cast dramatic emphasis on a shelf, especially at night.
Ready to redo?
Remove all the accessories from the surfaces in a room. Put them on the kitchen table and inventory what you have. Look for items in common -- books, crystal and pictures, for example. Keep in mind the guidelines for color, texture, scale, etc. Then create new displays, starting at the back of the shelf or tabletop and working forward.
-- Homes & Gardens staff
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