Ask a Designer: How to Set the Scene With Stylish Vignettes
Collect a handful of your favourite objects and show them off at their very best with these simple, clever ideas
One of the many secrets in a stylist’s tool box, vignettes are a selection of meaningful finds clustered together in an artful way to create one beautiful group. As a stylist, I like to use table vignettes to show interesting objects in their best light. They help to encapsulate an inviting atmosphere and to highlight some of the best features in a home.
Whether on a console table, coffee table or a mantelpiece, a table vignette can create a powerful element of surprise in the home, trick the eye and cause the viewer to linger. If you have a collection of favourite pieces that you love but you don’t know how to display, here are some of the magic tricks I share with clients.
Whether on a console table, coffee table or a mantelpiece, a table vignette can create a powerful element of surprise in the home, trick the eye and cause the viewer to linger. If you have a collection of favourite pieces that you love but you don’t know how to display, here are some of the magic tricks I share with clients.
Pull objects together on a tray
A great way of arranging small treasures is to group them on a tray. Sometimes less is more, so step back a little to see what needs to be removed.
This vignette brings together everyday objects in a warm display: a candle for relaxation on top of a book, sentimental curiosities for decoration, and greenery and softness from the plant and fabric planter.
A great way of arranging small treasures is to group them on a tray. Sometimes less is more, so step back a little to see what needs to be removed.
This vignette brings together everyday objects in a warm display: a candle for relaxation on top of a book, sentimental curiosities for decoration, and greenery and softness from the plant and fabric planter.
Use books as pedestals
Your treasured objects will look fabulous when stacked on your favourite coffee table books. The latter allow you to raise the objects to new levels and let you vary the height as you wish.
The vignette above, for example, shows off a large shell (pearl is great for expressing elegance) and a ceramic bowl filled with bright flowers on top of a glam fashionista title. Flowers don’t have to be in a vase, either. Take your cue from the second example – a cute glass belljar holding a single rose bud. Absolutely gorgeous!
TIP A lace doily or piece of fabric not only protects the books from a sentimental object like this antique frame, but also adds a deeper decorative element.
Your treasured objects will look fabulous when stacked on your favourite coffee table books. The latter allow you to raise the objects to new levels and let you vary the height as you wish.
The vignette above, for example, shows off a large shell (pearl is great for expressing elegance) and a ceramic bowl filled with bright flowers on top of a glam fashionista title. Flowers don’t have to be in a vase, either. Take your cue from the second example – a cute glass belljar holding a single rose bud. Absolutely gorgeous!
TIP A lace doily or piece of fabric not only protects the books from a sentimental object like this antique frame, but also adds a deeper decorative element.
Display a coffee table book
Speaking of books, it’s easy to create a striking vignette by opening a favourite photographic volume on a striking image. Turn the pages from time to time to keep it fresh, and hold the page down with a decorative stone or a favourite item, such as an antique hand mirror, for effect.
Speaking of books, it’s easy to create a striking vignette by opening a favourite photographic volume on a striking image. Turn the pages from time to time to keep it fresh, and hold the page down with a decorative stone or a favourite item, such as an antique hand mirror, for effect.
Keep it simple
Remember to be sensible about it: less can often be more and the same goes for vignettes. This is especially true when displaying items on a practical and often busy space, like a bedside table. Leave room for a glass of water or a book by paring back your items. Stick to just three or four calming choices such as a series of bud vases and a decorative lamp.
Remember to be sensible about it: less can often be more and the same goes for vignettes. This is especially true when displaying items on a practical and often busy space, like a bedside table. Leave room for a glass of water or a book by paring back your items. Stick to just three or four calming choices such as a series of bud vases and a decorative lamp.
Group vases together
Eclectic combinations created with confidence breathe new life into any space. By adding vases in neutral shades to this display, along with two bright colours in different heights, we have a winning vignette! Think texture, height and colour.
TIP Hang your artwork at a lower height to make it part of the display.
Eclectic combinations created with confidence breathe new life into any space. By adding vases in neutral shades to this display, along with two bright colours in different heights, we have a winning vignette! Think texture, height and colour.
TIP Hang your artwork at a lower height to make it part of the display.
Pay attention to height
If there’s an artwork or TV screen on the wall, a tall vase of architectural flowers or branches will bring an added point of interest, softening edges and straight lines. Shorter objects to the side show off the scale of the tall vase. This vignette is a perfect example of how to style a group of items in height arrangement. Each piece is staggered from tall to short in balanced proportion.
TIP When arranging stems in a vase, make sure that the stems are at least two-thirds taller than the vase.
If there’s an artwork or TV screen on the wall, a tall vase of architectural flowers or branches will bring an added point of interest, softening edges and straight lines. Shorter objects to the side show off the scale of the tall vase. This vignette is a perfect example of how to style a group of items in height arrangement. Each piece is staggered from tall to short in balanced proportion.
TIP When arranging stems in a vase, make sure that the stems are at least two-thirds taller than the vase.
Bring in plants
Greenery is a great addition to your miniature masterpiece, enhancing the senses and adding a sense of calm. Keep an eye out for faux greenery in homeware stores. Good-quality stems can look so life-like, and they last forever.
Greenery is a great addition to your miniature masterpiece, enhancing the senses and adding a sense of calm. Keep an eye out for faux greenery in homeware stores. Good-quality stems can look so life-like, and they last forever.
Cluster items in a similar hue
Curating your own vignette in a cohesive fashion can be as simple as combining items in the same colour palette. Here, a white-on-white display stands out against the backdrop of a soothing artwork. And if you want to turn heads, you can add a burst of bold colour, as seen here with the robot figurines.
Discover decorating ideas for white living rooms
Curating your own vignette in a cohesive fashion can be as simple as combining items in the same colour palette. Here, a white-on-white display stands out against the backdrop of a soothing artwork. And if you want to turn heads, you can add a burst of bold colour, as seen here with the robot figurines.
Discover decorating ideas for white living rooms
Keep it minimal
The wallpaper, mirror and chandelier are the heroes in this scheme because of their large scale. When styling around pieces like these, it’s important to remember the surroundings. The clear lamp base and transparent vase are perfect as they don’t detract from the main pieces. Some greenery, a beautiful monochrome box and a warm bronze lampshade are enough to pull the whole vignette together.
TELL US
How have you styled your favourite objects? Do you have a table vignette you’d like to show off? Let us know or upload a photo in the Comments below.
The wallpaper, mirror and chandelier are the heroes in this scheme because of their large scale. When styling around pieces like these, it’s important to remember the surroundings. The clear lamp base and transparent vase are perfect as they don’t detract from the main pieces. Some greenery, a beautiful monochrome box and a warm bronze lampshade are enough to pull the whole vignette together.
TELL US
How have you styled your favourite objects? Do you have a table vignette you’d like to show off? Let us know or upload a photo in the Comments below.
There’s a science behind styling a table display: think in asymmetrical triangular shapes. Two lamps the same height either side of a piece of artwork can look contrived. However, one lamp, some smaller objects in between, and a shorter piece on the opposite side, ensures a variegated and collected aesthetic.
Be sparing too, especially when a piece of art commands attention. The tall lamp on one side of this console table, combined with a shorter vase of flowers on the other creates a triangular shape that’s not competing with the main focal point – the artwork.
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