The Design Strategy of Less is More applies to the walls as well as the surfaces. Photos, art, wall treatments, and other hanging decor items should follow the same principles that govern accessories.
Not every wall needs a picture. I repeat. Not every wall need a picture. The eye needs a break when scanning a room. My background is in merchandising. Back then, we call this The Visual Break and it was incorporated in every floor set. The home is not so different. Do you have a tiny photograph squeezed into the wall space between an corner and a door? (I see this ALL the time.) Take it down. Take a breath. Rest the eye.
In the corporate office in the photo above, the wall is treated to only one large photograph of a female Eastern Bluebird. This allows the complex blue wall color to stand on its own as an important design element. Both reinforce the drama of the love seat.
When does a mass of art work? I will save that for tomorrow.
Accessory Clutter. Also known as Design Suicide. The Killer of all that is Good and True in Decorating.
Sounds extreme, I realize. When adding items for decorative effect, ONLY ADD A FEW. Too many and the statement is completely lost. The human brain can only concentrate on a few things at a time. When given too much to look at, the mind spins in overload.
Even Mother Nature knows to keep it simple. Imagine the most beautiful vista: A stand of trees and a mountain top. Or a spectacular view of the beach. In either case, nature is divided into two or three overall parts, like the sand and surf and water, not a bumpy eye-ride of incongruous pieces.
And not every surface must contain stuff. A side table can hold only an interesting lamp. A pair of bedside table can have one completely bare. A Dining Table does not have to be permanently paired with candlesticks and a floral arrangement. The decorative items should be placed to accentuate the whole, as so well illustrated in the photo above.
The trend toward all white accessories is still strong, even as we enter the deeper palette of fall. And why not? All white accessories, on a table or shelf, look clean and organic any time of year.
West Elm has new vases in white ceramic, cast in natural forms.
Jonathan Adlerhas funky mannequin hands.
Could you imagine a Buddha Head from Pottery Barn on your coffee table?
What could be more Autumn than pheasants? These are new at Willam Sonoma Home.
Or just charge into Winter with penguins from Three Potato Four.
And if you must have a little color, this vases from 2modern are 2cute!
