HIGH Five: 5 Tips for Decorating the tops of Bookcases and Armoires

When it comes to decorating bookcase shelves and the inside of armoires you can find lots of great tips and examples on how to get the best look on design blogs, in magazines and on Pinterest.  When it comes to decorating the tops of bookcase and armoires it’s harder to find tips and design ideas on what to do with this space.  After working on several armoire and bookcase projects lately, I decided to compile a list of 5 Tips For Decorating the Tops of Bookcases & Armoires.  These are my tried-and-true techniques for making the most of the space up high.

 1.  CREATE A VIGNETTE

Think of the top of a bookcase or armoire as you would a tabletop surface and create a vignette that tells a story and has a point of view.  Display items that relate in color, style or theme or use this area to display a collection of pieces.  Just a you would a tabletop surface, use items of different heights and widths to create dimension with in the display.

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2. LAYER FROM THE WALL OUT

While it is ok to display items solely on the top surface of your bookcase or armoire, hanging (or leaning) a decorative piece on the wall will draw the eye in and the piece will serve as a frame for the items positioned in front of it.  The wall space above a bookcase or armoire is idea for  large piece of art, decorative platter, basket or  even a mirror.

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3.  USE CIRCLES FOR CONTRAST

Decorating with circular items is a great way to break up the visual bulkiness of a heavy rectangular bookcase or armoire.  Clocks, round containers, bowls and decorative objects in round or oval shapes will make your top vignette more dynamic and interesting.

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4.  ADD A LITTLE T.L.C.

T for Texture, L for Length and C for Color!  Items with texture are a great way to add visual interest into your display.

  Baskets, greenery, metal and wood are all good textures to display with.

Creating a display that fills the length of your bookcase or armoire top is ideal versus placing items just in the center of the unit.  The entire impact of the unit will be greater if the display fills the space side to side.

Adding color up high is always a good idea for creating impact.  Pick a color from other elements in the room and carry that to the top of your unit.  Flowers, artwork and pottery pieces can add color and substance.

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5.  BE BOLD

Don’t go skimpy with the accessories you place up high.  Opt for bulkier, larger and more substantial pieces that will stand out and create visual impact.

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If you’ve been challenged with what to do on the tops of built-in bookcase, free-standing armoires or even kitchen cabinets, these tips will help you accessorize those spaces like a pro.

If you’d like help creating a home your absolutely love, CONTACT ME about my design services.

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10 Ways to UpStyle Your Closet

I love a beautiful closet and think it’s one of the easiest ways to enhance your life.  A beautiful closet makes your clothes and accessories look better and I believe it can also make you feel your best each and every day.

Many of the design clients I work with struggle with making the most of their closet, from organizing it to making it a design statement like the rest of their bedroom.  No matter how big or small your closet is, there are some design tricks you can use to make it a beautiful, functional and inspiring space.

1.  CREATE A POWERFUL FIRST IMPRESSION

If you don’t have a walk-in closet, don’t let that stop you from creating a dynamic first impression with your closet.  Painting your closet doors, adding trim work or using wall paper to add a graphic punch is a great way to up-style your closet.

2.  ADD PAINT OR PAPER

Adding a little pizazz to the inside of your closet will not only energize the space but your clothes will look more glamorous surrounded by pretty paper or paint.

 

I love the idea of wall-papering the inside of a closet door.  It creates such a pretty backdrop to display outfits against.

Paint your closet walls your favorite color which is sure to lift your spirits.

3.  ORGANIZE BY COLOR

 

Organizing your clothes by style first (shirts, pants, skirts etc.) and then by color will give your closet a stylized feel and make getting dressed easier.

And don’t forget that the hangers are part of your style statement so use all one style of hanger to give your closet a streamlined and  cohesive look.

4.  KEEP IT ORGANIZED

I can’t stress how important an organized closet is to starting your day on a good foot.  Keep like items together and use shelf dividers to keep things tidy.

 

5.  USE STORAGE BOXES AS A STYLE ELEMENT

Storage boxes are another great organizing tool.  Invest in study boxes with stylish details.  Storage boxes can become part of your closet style!  If you come across plain boxes at the thrift store, an inexpensive roll of wrapping paper and double-sided tape  can transform them into decorative boxes in a flash.

6.  PUT THINGS ON DISPLAY

I love to incorporate decorative accents into a closet space.  Hanging a piece of art or displaying accessories or personal care items on decorative risers can transform your closet into a special space.

7.  MAKE IT PERSONAL

If space allows, why not incorporate a small vanity desk or chaise into your closet space.  It my not seem like you’d hang out in your closet but I promise this will become a special retreat for you.

8.  ADD A TOUCH OF GLAMOUR

One of the easiest ways to up-style your closet is by hanging a chic chandelier or pendant light.  This change alone will make your closet feel special and personal.

9.  ADD SEATING

Ok, who wouldn’t want this gorgeous ottoman in their closet.  Seating, whether a chair, stool or ottoman will give you a place to put on your shoes and turn your closet into a salon.

10.  ADD A RUG

Adding a decorative rug as a style layer in your closest is a quick and easy up-style tip.  Go bold or stay classic but layer a rug to give your closet a sense of warmth and coziness.

If you’re looking for ways to make your closet a more inspiring space, try one or more of these Closet UpStyle Tips!

Happy Decorating!

If you’d like help creating a home your absolutely love, CONTACT ME about my design services!

all images can be found on MY DREAM CLOSET pinterest board.

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DIY Cloche

Happy Friday!

Well, as you can see I didn’t get around to posting my DIY project yesterday.  Instead, I was at the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC) spending the morning and afternoon with two Million Dollar Decorators! 

Mary McDonald & Martyn Lawrence Bullard

Mary and Martyn shared lots of fabulous design advice with the audience and afterwards spent time chatting with each of us and taking photos.  Much of what they had to share hit home with me and I gained some valuable insights on how I can make my design business better.  Thanks Mary and Martyn!

Now, on to the fun DIY project I want  to share with you…DIY cloches!

You see, I love glass cloches.  There is just something beautiful about displaying items you love under glass as if they were priceless heirlooms.  Since I already have a couple of traditional glass cloches I decided I wanted to add a few more to my mix and this time I wanted them have a bit more style.  With that, a super quick and easy DIY project was born!

I made three cloches each with a different decorative knob handle.  The wood lamp bases really add a lot to the smaller cloche and the decorative plate I used with the taller cloche can easily be changed out when I change the items displayed inside.  I’m still finding the right spot in my home to display each cloche and I’m also going to be changing/adding to the elements inside each one as well.  Plus, I’m looking forward to changing out the looks seasonally, inspired by these cloche displays!

SPRING 

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SUMMER 

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FALL

 

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HOLIDAY

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Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you were inspired to make a cloche of your own!

Have a Great Weekend!

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Best of Etsy: Stylish Desk Accessories

Since I spend so much time in my office, I feel the need to surround myself with pretty office accessories.  Having an organized & stylish office space is not only necessary to fuel my creativity but it also spurs me to keep my small space organized and tidy.  There are a few essential elements I think every office space needs like a desk lamp and desk chair and beyond that there are some really stylish pieces that I think every office could use.  Today I’ve rounded up some of my favorite inspirational office spaces and a handful of adorable office accessories I found on Etsy.

Check it out….be inspired and then get back to work, in style!

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I love the simplicity of the space.  The striped rug adds just enough pattern to keep the space interesting and that mirror is a definite style statement.

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I love the idea of a hanging light over the desk and the bold color that is balanced against an all white space.

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So much to love about this space.  Why go with a brown wood desk when you the color pink exist?   And that animal print bulletin boards is so stylish.

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Upgrading a simple metal file cabinet is just a few paint strokes away.

Stained Glass Business Holder and Pencil Cup

Patterned Desk Tray

Paris Pencil Collection

Personalized Chevron Mouse Pad

Designer Clipboard with Zebras

Chevron Letter Holder

Framed Bulletin Board

 

You might also find inspiration for your office space here and here!

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Vignettes To Love

One of the best ways to personalize your home is by creating vignettes created with items, photo and things you love.  All it takes is this…

Pick a space or tabletop surface

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Gather together a few things you love

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Artfully display your decorative accessories

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A special spot within your home that captures a memory, elicits an emotion or tells the story of you and your family!

For another look at these vignettes and more, head to my Vignette board on Pinterest!

Happy Friday!

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Tip of the Week: Accessorizing

Hi there!  Did you have a good weekend? I hope so!

One of the goals for my blog is to share tips and inspiring ideas with you, information that you can use to when decorating & entertaining, redefining and recreating your fashion identity and ideas for beautiful gift giving.

As I thought about how I could best serve up these ideas, I decided to develop a new series here on the blog entitled Tip of The Week.  Each Monday I’ll share a tip with you, a principle, technique or philosophy that I live by or a tip from the people who inspire me in my work or life.  And of course there will be a beautiful photo to give you visual inspiration!

 As I learn, develop, grow and create, I hope that these tips and techniques will help you do the same!

Enjoy and be inspired!

…glamorous accessories are as key to a room as they are to an outfit, so choose a lamp with the same witty reverence as a bangle.
        – Susanna Salk

East Hampton home by Larry Laslo Designs

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6 New Reasons Why I Love Pottery Barn

Did you get the new Pottery Barn catalog in the mail?   I got mine last night and immediately sat down and flipped through the pages.  Wow, there are so many awesome new items that I am loving!

So over the top in love with this Cuisine Paper Towel Holder. And knowing me, I’d also try to find a way to use to as a gift wrap holder.  Anyone know a company that makes small rolls of wrap??

The shape and hardware on the Jacquelyne Lidded Barrel Basket make it special.

The Arden Lockers would be such a cool piece for a kids room or basement.

Love the function and style of this adjustable Accordian Dual Kitchen Pendant.

This Ikat Drum lampshade is over the top gorgeous!

and this Wheel Barrel Bowl would be so fun to plan a summer party around.

I could go on and on with the items I love but I don’t want to spoil your adventure of flipping though the catalog.

Pottery Barn always seems to deliver a great selection of unique, stylish and adorable items to fit any décor style.  As a designer, they are one of my go to sources for accessories and tabletop items.

P.S. You’ll love all the new bedding they just introduced and if Easter décor is your thing you’ll love all the rabbit themed pieces they have. 

Enjoy the catalog and leave me a comment letting me know what items are your favorite.

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What’s On My NightStand

Every now and then I’ll see a post on a blog about what the blogger has on their nightstand.  The nightstand is a pretty sacred place in my book, housing items that can help lull you to sleep or things that you reach for in the middle of night when you can’t sleep.  It is always fascinating to read into the lives of others from what they have or don’t have on their nightstand so I thought I’d share WHAT’S ON MY NIGHTSTAND with you and give you a little peek into my life. 

 

My night stand in a combination of pretty and function.  Since my bedroom decor is black, white, yellow and grey I pulled some of those colors onto my nightstand. 

My night stand is a skirted table with a black cloth.

On top I currently have a stack of books, my favorite hand cream by Lollia, a wedding picture, a journal, glasses and a pretty mercury glass vase with flowers. 

There’s also a white lacquered box which holds all kinds of stuff (handheld recorder to capture ideas, lavender spray for my pillow, an eye mask ’cause I like darkness when I sleep and a portable radio)!

 

My current reading list includes Cupcakes and Cashmere, Good Bones, Great Pieces and Flea Market Decorating.  All books I highly recommend!

So there you have it, WHAT’S ON MY NIGHT STAND.

  

 

I’d love to learn more about you from what’s on your nightstand so attach a picture in the comments or head to the ConfettiStyle Facebook page and upload a photo!

p.s.  under the tableskirt are a slew of books–which are kind of an obsession!

 

 

all images by ConfettiStyle

 

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