Deco accessories: small items, big effects

Accessories inexpensively improve the look without requiring major renovation work. A few judiciously selected accessories can make the difference between a so-so décor and one worthy of a decoration magazine. Paintings, frames, mirrors, chandeliers, various furnishings, baskets and plants are manifestly part of a decoration concept that provides a personal touch to our environment.
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Choosing an accessory: a question of taste
Balanced arrangements
Pictures, paintings and mirrors: the rules of the game
Shining some light on lighting
Fabrics, for comfort and warmth
This year’s essentials

Choosing an accessory: a question of taste

Occasionally, a particularly accessory can serve as a starting point to a full decoration concept. A painting, a fabric or a quilt can set you on a decoration path. Or, the scheme can be approached from a different angle i.e., using a strong point in the room, such as the furniture style or the colours selected for the final touch.
If the choice of an accessory is influenced by its style or a specific need, often, it can also be a simple compulsive choice. To find original items, visit a second-hand store or a flea market. You can unearth small treasures at ridiculous prices. Dollar stores often carry candlesticks, chandeliers, baskets, cache-pots and vases that can fit snugly into your decor.

Since the trend is toward the unconventional, take advantage of this tendency to mix styles, eras and colours. Be careful: be sure to follow a central track and assure a coherent ensemble concept.

Balanced arrangements

Balancing accessories in a design concept is governed by simple rules that are best followed if one is to obtain the desired effect.

In fact, there are two arrangement models. In the first, we go for a symmetrical arrangement that attempts to create a mirror image along both sides of a line or a central object. This type of arrangement is easy to achieve. Simple, it gives the room a more formal appearance. In the second, asymmetrical arrangements offer myriad possibilities, particularly if the objects that make up the decor are of different colours, styles or dimensions. This type of arrangement creates a less formal look, while balancing the visual load of the various elements in the room.

In both cases, balancing accessories can be achieved in groups of three or five pieces. Each group is founded on the colours of the components, their styles or their shapes. Here, we place similar elements together; there, we alternate accessories of different heights around a central point.

To find more ideas:
Create a wall medallion arrangement - oasis style

Pictures, paintings and mirrors: the rules of the game

For the right effect, wall accessories such as pictures, paintings and mirrors must be hung according to precise rules. There must be balance and while avoiding overloading the wall.

A large dimension painting can be placed above smaller ones. The reverse is less desirable. For small paintings, grouping them by theme is a good strategy.

Large or small, they should be hung 15 centimetres (10 inches) above a piece of furniture. If the ceiling is 2.8 metres (9 feet) high, they should be suspended at about 76 centimetres (3 feet) from the floor. After all, we should be able to admire a large dimension piece from a distance of at least 5 feet. There are specifically designed lights made to emphasize mural arrangements.
To make a mirror more attractive, it should be hung in a position to reflect a prominent feature in the room like a fireplace, a floral arrangement or a stained glass window. If a mirror seems lost in the expanse of a wall we can, on each side, hang small pictures or install wall lighting groups or chandeliers. It’s also possible to group small mirrors of different dimensions and styles to obtain a sure-fire grandiose effect.

To find more ideas:
Build a picture ledge - oasis style
Make a recessed display wall - global village style

Shining some light on lighting

Lighting puts the finishing touches to your interior. Both practical and decorative, it helps create ambience, adds warmth and personality, and highlights the key features of the room.

You have chosen all the elements of your decor with care, so it would be a pity not to see them in their best light! Chandeliers, floor lamps, table lamps, reading lamps, desk lamps, pendant lights, recessed lights, spotlights, wall sconces—lighting options are endless, with a wide choice of styles to meet your needs.

When considering types of lighting to go with your interior, think ‘functionality’ and ‘mood’. Look at the shape, colour and style of the lamp base and shade. Remember that light fixtures and lamps need to be chosen carefully and positioned wisely if they are to fulfil their role in the room.

To find more ideas:
Make a personalized light fixture - spirit style
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