1.  The versatility of these hurricanes is extraordinary.  The metal bottom lifts out and you can fill under it with any seasonal decor you like.  Beautiful on a dinner or buffet table for the holiday, but would work great on a picnic table in the summer.   (Lakeside s/3-$19 - affiliate – search using keywords hurricane candleholders)

versatile hurricane candleholders

2.  Pottery Barn offers their usual lighthearted reindeer print on several new things this year, including  this cotton runner, $59-79.

Reindeer table runner.

 3.  Plan on serving coffee after dinner?  This tray will save trips back and forth to the kitchen and serve your coffee in style.  And, it’s on sale! (LampsPlus $20 til 12/20 – affiliate – click through link at bottom of this post and search with keywords “vintage coffee tray”)

vintage coffee tray

4.  This melamine platter puts a modern (and retro!) spin on holiday serve ware. (burke decor $20 -affiliate, click through link at bottom of this post and search with keywords “melamine platter”)

Neema rectangle platter.

 5.   A beautiful and colorful addition, these Pfaltzgraff Winterberry etched glass goblets will brighten any talbe.  Amazon offers them as a set of 4 for only $19.99 (half price sale!). (click through to Amazon using the affiliate link at the bottom of this post and search with keywords “Winterberry goblet”) 

Etched goblets to highlight your table.

6.    The simplicity of these black and gold serving pieces would be elegant at the table year around. (burke decor $42 – affiliate- click through via the link at the bottom of post and search using “serving spoons”)

Cool serving spoons.

 7.   From the Calligraphic collection at Burke Decor, the color of this square serving platter makes it perfect for the holidays but the design carries it year round! (burke decor $75 -affiliate – click through via link at bottom of post and search with keywords ‘Calligraphic platter”)

Square platter - love the romantic swirls.

8.   The glossy red exterior of this bamboo bowl would add jolt of red on  a  holiday buffet  (Conran shop $24 – search using keywords “Bo Bowl Tomato”)

Eco friendly bamboo bowl.

 9.   The stainless steel of this Pianissimo Basket would glisten on a Christmas or New Year’s Eve dinner table. (Conran shop  $82 - search using keywords “pianissimo basket )

A modern basket.

 10.   Add sparkle  and sentiment to your table with these  charming place card holders, complete with name cards!  (plumparty.com $7/s4 search using keywords love place card)

place card holders

11.  Sagaform’s  beautiful wine carafe is only $30 – what a deal!  (burke decor $30 – affiliate – click through via link at bottom of post and search with keyword “carafe”)

Gorgeous wine carafe.

 12.  A metallic twist of silver sparkles on this festive glass set.  And they can be monogrammed.  How cool is that?  (west elm $22-36 – search using keyword “metallic twist”)

Glasses to dress your table.

13.  What holiday table would be complete without a floral centerpiece?  Order this one from Teleflora or check your local florist for other ideas – they can customize size, colors, ribbons, and accents to suit your tableware. (teleflora $50- keyword “all is bright”)

Floral centerpiece.

We hope these ideas help you spice up your holiday table decor or your gift giving.  Either way, don’t wait too long to shop – the days are slipping away.

Related posts:

1. Thumbs Up for 20 Terrific Online Gifts

• First – we’re asking YOU for a big “Thumbs Up” on our first ever subscription drive.  Subscriptions are free – just use the form included in the FREE WREATH tab on the top menu bar to sign up to automatically receive our daily posts.  Plus, subscribe in December and we’ll email you a link so you can download our FREE Wonderful Holiday Wreaths guide, a 13-page guide packed with color photos of beautiful holiday wreaths to inspire your creativity and step-by-step instructions for making your own designer wreaths.  Give YourDecoratingHotline.com a big Thumbs Up and subscribe now!  We’ll return the favor with a complimentary copy of Wonderful Holiday Wreaths.
• Second – during December instead of presenting opposing decorating points of view we’re going to share “Thumbs Up” information to help you through the holidays.  We’ll resume our usual ”Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down” decorating column in January. 

Today we’re giving two big “Thumbs Up!” to some of the great gifts available online.  You can shop in your pjs and find just the holiday gifts you need.  Plus, you’re more likely to stay within your budget by shopping online – did you know people tend to spend more and blow their budgets after handling things in stores?  It’s easier to stay focused and on target and on budget on the Internet.  So skip the mall and save time, money, gas and stress.  We’ve scoured retail sites, other blogs, magazines and queried friends, in order to provide you a wide range of great gift options.  Ready for a little armchair shopping?  Read on…

GIFTS UNDER $25

Cool holiday candles like these will take center stage on any table.  Search for Marcel Wanders candles at Target $15-20

 Clothing hooks with your initials – a very personalized gift. Search for ”initial hooks” at Anthropologie, $12

Glamourous silver wrapped candle holders to brighten your space. Search for ”silver coil candle holder” at  Burke Decor, $16 (click through on our affiliate link below)

With clever designs like this, everyone will want to have canvas reusable shopping bags, EarthOwl.net, $15

Tell the world about your photo by writing on the chalkboard frame. Change the picture – change your message! Search “chalkboard frame” at Cost Plus $9.99 (click through our affiliate link below)

 
Select an elegant crystal wine stopper for a wine enthusiast. Search “crystal wine stopper” at Burke Decor, $22 (click through our affiliate link below)

Carved wood pillar holders make a dramatic statement.  Search with keyword “Satara” at Cost Plus, $14.99 to $19.99 (click through our afflilate link below)

An eco-friendly option, water bottles to use over and over instead of buying bottled water. Search for this set of five with keywords “water bottles” at Lakeside, $10 (click through our affiliate link below)

 Unbeatable as a hostess gift or stocking stuffer!  A set of six 100% cotton hand towels each appliqued and embroidered with a different holiday motif. Set arrives tied with a ribbon and ready for giving.  Search for “holiday guest towel” at Linen Source, set of 6 for $3.98 – yes! only $3.98!!! (click through our affiliate link in the sidebar)

The ultimate accessory for every cook, this wood and metal stand holds cookbooks open for easy viewing. Search “cookbook stand” at Lamps Plus, $24.99 (click through our affiliate link below) 

GIFTS UNDER $50

    Silk orchids remain beautiful without any care!  Search “white orchid” at Lamps Plus, $27.95  (click through our affiliate link below)

Layers of glass provide the striking color of this contemporary bowl and vase.  Search “capri” at Gumps, $30 bowl and $35 vase (click through our affiliate link on the right sidebar)

Feminine and romantic, these lacey vases will add pizzazz to your flowers, MayaStar.com, $30

   Dress up a cup of tea with this boxed gift set of 4 dishwasher safe cups.  Search “Japanese teacups” at Gumps,  $38 (click through our affiliate link in right sidebar)

 Add the soothing sound of gentle trickling water with this table top fountain.  Search for  ”terracotta cascade” at Lamps Plus, $40 (click through on our affiliate link below)

This clock will add a touch of whimsy to any room.  Search for “dropped numerals” at Burke Decor, $37 (click through on our affiliate link below)

Looking for unique ways to hold up your  books?  This bookend set says it all, Dutch By Design, $35

Darling floral growth chart for a little girls room. Ruled numbers marked in inches for measuring and recording your childs growth. Sports version available for boys.  Search “growth chart” at Linen Source, $49.00 (click through our affiliate link below)

 Add a bright touch of color and some holiday cheer with a hand-crafted Holiday Hooked Pillow. Toss on a sofa, chair or your bed. Search for “hooked pillow” at Home Decorators Collection, $39.00 (click the affiliate link 0n the right sidebar)

 Show someone you really care - give them a kiss them under this realistic-looking kissing ball made of PVC Pine and Juniper evergreen boughs.  It’s a generous 12 inches in diameter and its bright red hanging ribbon  makes holiday decorating (and kiss giving) a snap. Search for “kissing ball” at Wreaths Galor, $49.66 (click through our affiliate link below)

Books are always an excellent gift option and Amazon.com is a user friendly place to shop.  We feature a selection of decorating related books in My Bookshelf (see top menu tab), or you can click through and search the site for the perfect gift.

As a reminder, we provide product links to the general page or the main web page so when the site changes their pages you can still find the item .  Just search by the keywords provided  and you’ll easily find all these great gift ideas…..and maybe even more!  We appreciate your interest in browsing and shopping our affiliate sites (we make a little commission on your purchases) - following are links to the affiliates mentioned in this post

Enjoy your shopping adventure!

We all stress about color – is it too bright?  Does it match my other colors?  Is it too bland or boring?  Is it too safe?  Too bold?  What colors go with what I already have?  What’s the hot new color and can I use it in my space?  Some of the best things about accessories is that they’re portable (move them from room to room), often quite affordable (but not always), available in just about any color under the sun and the easiest way to make a difference in a room.  (unless otherwise stated, these pictures are all from my vast -and old- photo archives)

STAND OUT COLOR ENERGIZES A ROOM

Accessories are really useful when you want a bold blast of color to contrast with a neutral room – or just to add a touch of brightness or variety in a colorful room.  If you use a vivid or contrasting color, your room will have more energy and to really maximize the color, try to use it in a variety of forms and places around the room.  Have the accent color in pillows, the rug, a vase on the mantel, book covers on the coffee table and maybe picture frames in a bookcase.  You want to use that accent color to move your eye around the room…..but don’t make it too perfectly spaced, it starts to feel contrived.

A little too perfectly balanced. (via Do It Yourself magazine, winter 2009)

This room has the right idea with using the pink & teal accents spaced throughout the room as well as the white bookcase.  But don’t you think it’s a little too perfect?  Instead of feeling inviting, it feels …. too staged. 

Flowers can reinforce a color theme.

Red is a very bold accent color and here’s a good example of using it judiciously.  It proves you don’t have to be hit over the head with the color to appreciate it.  A touch in the art, on the tabletop, flowers and even the ribbon, makes a very understated but attractive statement.

Lime green makes a good accent.

Here you’ve got an essentially neutral room and the pillows introduce the accent colors.  The green is taken to the coffee table, the art and the vases on the console table (note how the vases overlap the art to visually connect the groupings).  Although we can’t see the other side of the room, I’m sure there’s a touch of green opposite the sofa to draw your eye around the room.

A pop of lime green for pizzazz.

This room in shades of blue uses the same lime green as a pop of color to keep the room from being too boring.  The throw in a totally different color (something rosey it seems) warms up this otherwise cool room.

Accessories can reinforce colors in the art.

Colorful accessories are a great way to pick up colors in a piece of art or rug and emphasize them.  This pottery collection plays on the colors in the painting and the little bit of orange (the complementary color to the blues) makes the grouping more dynamic and not so matchy matchy.

The littlest touch of color can have an impact.

 This room boldly uses small touches of a variety of colors – gold, green and cobalt blue.  Don’t be afraid to mix the colors of your accessories to create something unexpected.  Too much of a good thing will make a room feel jumbled and messy, but bold color balanced by blocks of neutral (sofa, flooring, walls) will be lovely.

Which is the accent color?

This room is a little confusing to me – it’s not so easy to pick out the accent color.  Accessories are red – pillow, magazine basket, flowers, book covers.  No, they’re blue - vases & plates on the shelves, chairs, valance.  The colors are so evenly matched I think it’s not very interesting.  The one thing I do like is the back of the bookshelves painted red.  Now that’s some drama!  So maybe that’s the accent color……   

QUIET COLOR SOOTHES A ROOM

Accessories don’t have to contrast with the room to contribute.  Quiet colors that blend with the room and don’t make an individual statement contribute to a soothing, relaxing, peaceful environment.  Ideally your home would have both quiet rooms (bedrooms, maybe a dining room) and energetic rooms (family room, kitchen).

Everything in this room is blue or tan which makes a very restful room.

Soft blue, creamy beige with a tiny touch of blush rose - warm and cool - restful and calm.  The blue and white accessories reinforce the color scheme in a quiet way while the few touches of darker wood furniture ground this room.

A monochromatic room.

A monochromatic room is all shades of one color - here it’s tan.  From golden tans to creamy tans, the accessories blend right in and none of them stand apart and say “look at me”.  The collection of pottery is used throughout the room but supports the color scheme rather than contrasting it.

A monochromatic dining room.

Another monochromatic room – brown, lots of brown and white.  The art, the lamp, the flower bowl, the grouping on the console…everything stays within the scheme.  And then there’s this fabulous pop of the only color in the room.  Dramatic, elegant, unexpected and totally gorgeous.

A really quiet room.

This very quiet tan room has accessories that are …… brown.  What makes the accessories shine is their shapes and the light background is perfect way to showcase those shapes.

Understated accessories work in this bedroom.

Sometimes accessories contribute color, sometimes scale (size).  In this bedroom, the small size and limited color palette of the accessories contribute to the calm and restful atmosphere. If those vases were orange, red or even bright green, the energy of the room would feel different.  Not wrong, just different.

A calm blue brightened by silver.

One last example of accessories that reinforce a quiet color scheme.  All in shades of blue, this serene room could sink into drabness.  What saves it?  In my opinion the sparkling silver is the accent color and the gleam and shine of it moving around the room keeps this room from being bland.

MAXIMIZE YOUR ACCESSORIES

You now have all the tools that interior designers have when they create stunning accessory displays.  You have the knowledge, the interest (it is your home after all), the doodads and tchotchkes, so go forth and accessorize with confidence.

To summarize:  Start with your walls - make good use of proportion and scale to bring interest to the biggest segment of the room to fill.  Next bring in your favorite treasures and display collections in one spot in the room to maximize their impact.  Vary the height and size of the pieces for interest.  Add a plant here and there in your groupings to bring life into the space, add a new texture and use a style appropriate flower to fill in.  Lighting will make a huge difference in being able to see those wonderful displays so choose accent lighting carefully.  And finally, use color to bring focus to an area or collection or use color to reinforce a calm, peaceful space.

Amazingly, as I was writing this series of posts I kept thinking of more tips to share …… so I’m sure I’ll revisit this topic after the first of the year.  If you don’t want to miss all the tips I ran of out room to share here…..subscribe and you won’t miss a word.

Related posts:

1. Ledge Accessorizing Tutorial
2. What Color to Use With Gray?
3. You Can Develop a Color Scheme

“I saw your website online, and I am hoping you can help me. I am a single dad with all the design ability of your average garden slug…. although I am probably insulting the slugs.     My house furniture is very spartan at the moment, so I have a lot of space to work with. I have recently acquired a number of small china statues (at the moment, only about 5 or 6, but I hope to add to that number).  Ceramic or porcelain and delicate but all are very light colors – mostly white with gold trim and some gentle coloring. All of them are between 6-12 inches tall, I would think.

I like these figurines and I want to show them off in my living room.  The walls are a light tan with an accent dark brown wall. There is a sand colored couch, and a couple of white bookcases with DVD’s and books, and finally a TV.   I am wondering what piece of furniture I can purchase (what might it look like) to showcase these wonderful figurines in?    Do you have any ideas?  Thanks for any ideas.  Alex”

Alex's TV room...how should he display figurines?

Thanks for the question Alex.  There are a few options for displaying treasured figurines – table top as in on a console table behind the sofa, a curio cabinet (they usually have glass doors to protect the collectibles) or maybe some wall shelves.  Since you asked, here are visuals of those suggestions – your style looks like it’s leaning slightly modern so I mostly suggested shapes that would work with that style. 

A versatile console table from Overstock.com

This console is great because not only does it provide a tabletop surface for a lamp or something behind the sofa, it also has drawer storage and shelves for display of the figurines.  Definitely a hard working piece of furniture that would also work in an entryway.  (walnut-cherry console table, overstock.com ($349)

Delano Console Table from Amazon ($130) also serves the same 3 purposes, has a more modern black finish and the “X” detailing on the sides.

Delano console table (Amazon)

This Wakefield bookcase (overstock.com $209) is another option for display.  Perhaps you could use 2 of them and flank the TV stand, almost creating an entertainment center effect.  It would balance the wall, give you display and book space and create a focal point.   Or try the Winsome bookcase #59248 from Amazon ($111). Winsome Wood 3-Tier Bookcase, Espresso

This display bookcase will showcase figurines beautifully.

Winsome bookcase from Amazon.

 If you’d prefer something taller that would hold more (you clearly have lots of books), consider something like this stylish bookcase. (overstock.com Danbury bookcase $221)

Open sides so it's not so dense and dark on a wall.

A curio cabinet is a more formal answer – something like this from CostPlus ($350)

Yash curio cabinet from CostPlus.

CostPlus had an image that might help you visualize what 2 cabinets flanking your TV stand might look like.

Bookshelves flanking a TV stand create the look of an entertainment center.

The final suggestion I made to you is for floating wall shelves.  These are readily available in lots of styles, sizes, colors and prices.  Here are a couple just to get you started.

The most basic style (west elm $25-35)

 The option below is from BallardDesigns.com ($80-120). 

Cafe shelving from Ballard Designs.

I had a client that had similar shelves in her home and here are before and after photos.  The client wanted to use as many of her things as possible:  the large round plate had actually been attached to the wall so she didn’t want the shelves moved (holes to patch, etc) - ideally I would have lowered them 8-12 inches and centered them over the sofa, not on the wall.  In the ‘before’ the family photo was throwing the arrangement out of balance…moving it up closer to the shelves created a more cohesive arrangement.  Alex, you can see here that she had a light colored figurine against a light wall and it doesn’t show up nearly as well as the new, darker accessories.

Wall shelves before.

Wall shelves after.

I would suggest that the shelving go on the accent painted wall for highest contrast – your figurines would likely fade away on the white wall.  Also, put a silk plant on the shelves among the figures so that it adds a different texture and color and brings some life to the grouping like I did above. 

Finally, even though you didn’t ask my advice about this, I would suggest a couple of simple fixes until you add the new furniture.  Move the taller white bookcase to the corner (right of the TV) – it causes the wall to feel unbalanced in it’s current position.  Watch for a silk plant sale and add a plant 4-6′ tall on the left side of the TV until you decide about adding another bookcase. 

Move the shorter bookcases to behind the sofa to serve as an interim console table and reduce the visual clutter along those walls.  Or you might try one next to the arm of the sofa with the shelves facing out so it can serve as an end table.  You’ll be amazed by how much more homey and cozy the room feels with these small changes. 

Hope this helps Alex – let me know if there’s more information I can provide.  Anyone else have any design dilemmas?  Leave me a comment or send me an email with photos – I’ll respond quickly.

Related posts:

1. Art of Accessorizing – part 5: Color
2. Hallways Can be Challenging
3. Furniture Arranging Help

1.  From Elle Decor, a sampling of birdcage lamps made of palm fronds ($250) by Roost.

A birdcage revival.

2.  How about another ETSY find?  This vintage looking fabric would make a whimsical addition to a kitchen or family room or sunroom. (by Olive, $20) 

Whimsical birdcage pillow.

3.    A versatile style of birdcage available at Amazon.  I can see filling it with holiday decor, with greens, with color faux birds then use it on top of a kitchen cupboard, a mantel, on a potshelf, on a hearth……. 18″ Elaborate Black & Gold Decorative Wooden Birdcage  ($65)

Black and Gold birdcage from Amazon.

4.  This handpainted bamboo box would sit beautifully on a desk or in a bookcase.  Available at Lamps Plus ($99 -Click my affiliate link below and look for item H2313)  

Handpainted bamboo box.

 5.  I found this great pillar candle holder at ChristmasCentral.com and because it’s nice and tall, it would be a great addition to a vignette.  If the white is too white for your decor, a can of spray paint does wonders. ($70)

Birdcage Candle Holder.

6.  Another pillow with a more formal birdcage design – on linen by Thomas Paul ($100); available through BurkeDecor.com Fall Savings – 10% off all Home Decor(affiliate link)

Birdcage pillow on linen.

7.  This funky birdcage is sure to be a conversation starter – and it’s actually functional.  Designed in the style of a Brownstone, AllPetFurniture has lots of housing styles available. (item #PVP1043 -$71)

This house is "for the birds".

If there’s something you’d like some help finding or just want to see a variety of options, let me know and I’ll be happy to keep my eyes open during my web wanderings and blog sharing. 

Happy Wednesday.

DECORATE THE WALLS

There is more wall space than any other surface in a home, so what better place to begin the decorating process?  A focal wall (usually the longest of the room) is the logical place to begin placing art or wall decor.  Use your largest or boldest piece of art or create an interesting grouping of art.  As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, try a grid arrangement of smaller prints to create a focal point.  Often a useful guide is to use other lines in the room created by architecture, an armoire, a window frame – and line up a frame edge with that line if it makes sense - it creates visual continuity.

Art hung in a grid pattern for a focal point.

Even though this next picture isn’t a rigid grid pattern, you can see the balance and smaller grids around the largest picture.  That center picture alone would not have been big enough over the sofa so the added pictures fill out the space.  It’s also a more casual treatment.

PROPORTION MATTERS

Perhaps the most important factor in hanging art is that it be the appropriate size for the wall and surroundings.  Some specifics were discussed in an earlier post.  A too large painting will dwarf a small chair or table and feel top heavy.  Art that is small will get lost on a large expanse of wall.  A good rule of thumb is that the art or art grouping should be about 3/4 the size of whatever is under it. 

While hanging art in a corner can be an excellent idea to fill up a blank space, the 2 pieces in the above photo are much too small for the space – too small for the wall they’re on, too small for the chest they’re above and too small to pair with those oversize candlesticks.

The proportion is wrong in this photo.

Good proportion over a serving tray (though it's a little high). From Art of Accessorizing book.

If one piece of art isn't the right proportion, use a pair. Note how the pictures are about 3/4 the width of the bookcase.

As for how high to hang art?  Most people hang it too high.  If the art is in a walk through or standing space like an entry or hallway, you want it hung at eye level – that means the focal point of the art should be about 5 -5 1/2′ off the floor.  If the art is going to be seen mostly from a seated position like a dining room or sofa, hang it lower for comfortable viewing from the seated position.  You’ll be able to appreciate the art more readily and it will have more connection with the furniture it’s near.

BALANCE – SYMMETRICAL OR ASYMMETRICAL?

Symmetrical balance is when you divide a grouping in half and each side is identical.  Symmetrical arrangements are calming and generally impart a sense of formality.  Symmetry can also be achieved with visual balance – a little harder to describe.  It’s when the opposing sides aren’t necessarily identical, but they are in perfect balance.  This keeps the pleasing aspect of symmetry but with less formality.

Perfect symmetry creates a formal attitude in this room.

 The following picture shows a more casual, but equally symmetrical, style of display.  From this month’s issue of Do It Yourself magazine, you can see that there are the same number of pictures on each side of center and of approximately the same visual weight.  The grouping is grounded by the darkest picture at the bottom of the arrangement.

Symmetrial in balance, this grouping works with lots of smaller pieces.

Creating a symmetrical arrangement, either on the wall or on a tabletop, clearly uses lots of pairs – lamps, plants, plates, etc.  That’s what makes the pleasing balance.  This tabletop has great texture, contrasting shapes and the focal point of the one single different item suddenly takes center stage.

A symmetrical table arrangement.

On the other hand, asymmetry, as you might expect, is the opposite – an uneven arrangement of disparate pieces that are arranged in a more casual way.  I happen to prefer asymmetrical arrangements – I find them more dynamic and interesting as well as more casual.  The picture below is asymmetrical because the elements on each side of center are different in size and shape.  The balance is slightly greater on the left because of the extra height and the bulk of 2 pieces versus the one smaller disk on the right.  The arrangement is pleasing to me because the rectangular piece connects all the other elements and grounds the grouping.  And I love that your eye travels from one side to the other, really taking in each unique piece and since the pieces are related in theme and era, it makes for a strong presentation.

Not many people would place a picture off to the side above a love seat as pictured below.  However, it relates nicely to the lamp and table arrangement and the cluster of pillows and colorful throw on the sofa help visually balance the art a little.  A bold asymmetrical design decision.

ALTERNATE DISPLAY OPTIONS

Sometimes you don’t have enough wall space to display everything you’d like to.  Or, maybe you have the wall space but the pictures are too small.  You don’t have to hide the artwork away in a closet.  Use small to medium size pieces of art in bookscases to add color and interest to the shelves.  A piece of art here and there (in addition to or instead of family photos) will make a dramatic difference in your bookcase staging. 

Display art in a bookshelf.

Another option for displaying a grouping of smaller art is to use decorative shelving (available everywhere from your local home improvement store to online sources).   This solutions works for just about any decor style:  cottage or shabby chic -use white painted shelving with all white frames; contemporary -use black shelving with a collection of black and white photography;  traditional -use cherry shelving with silver or gold frames….

Display art casually on purchased shelving. (via Do It Yourself magazine)

Art shelving from Pottery Barn.

 Shelves like these from Pottery Barn are currently on sale or click on my affiliate link to Home Decorators Collection for more options.

ART ON A LONG WALL

Here I’ve created a series of photos showing how an art display might evolve to fill a long wall.  Keeping balance and proportion in mind, note how each art addition fits with adjoining pieces of furniture to ultimately create a well balanced wall arrangement.

A single piece of art placed over the chest - in correct proportions but the corner looks a little naked.

The corner looked a little bare so some stacked artwork helps fill in.

Complete the art installation with a larger piece to anchor the group.

Each stage of the art evolution looked appropriate and good which proves that you can allow your art collection to evolve and gradually fill in those large wall spaces.  Hopefully these tips and photos will help you organize your wall decor and create wall arrangments that show your art to it’s best advantage.  There are other factors to consider that I’ll cover in a later post – things like frame choice, working with pattern, developing a rhythm, etc.

This article is the first of a series of 4 that will cover the main factors of accessorizing.  Next up will be working with collections and personal memorabilia and how to create memorable vignettes.  Third in the series will cover working with flowers and plants and last in the series will be about using color and lighting in your accessorizing.

If you have specific questions that aren’t answered in this series, be sure to write a comment and let me know.  If you have the question, you gotta figure lots of others do as well.

Related posts:

1. Decorate Your Ledges Like a Pro
2. Ledge Accessorizing Tutorial
3. 10 Hallway Decorating Ideas