Picture Perfect

This weekend, Jaithan and I were back in the city, helping our good friend (and Team Ross superstar!) Jordan Perry do a little DIY decorating in her West Village apartment. Now I think Jordan has a great eye, and she's definitely not afraid to get her hands dirty, IKEA hacker-style, but with this project (accessorizing a dresser in the living room) she just needed a little help pulling it all together.

   

Rewind ten or so steps and this is what we started with—a dresser she'd found years ago at an antiques mall in Mississippi. Its clean lines and simple shape will allow it to mix well with other elements, but it's still hefty enough to ground the composition.

To create a focal point above the dresser, the first thing I did was prop up this old barnwood mirror she bought at a framing shop in the Village. They're a great resource because most of them will find the mirror, then put it together for you! Though I certainly could have used a large piece of art instead, I like how the mirror magnifies the natural light and creates the illusion of space. The texture too adds instant warmth.

 

Now back in the fall, just after Top Design started to air, one of our readers asked me if I had any rules of thumb with respect to accessories (How do you know when is too much or too little?), so I decided to do a post with seven of my best stylist's tricks on the subject. Even here, in Jordan's place, all the same rules apply, and the first and foremost (at least in my book) is symmetry. It's such a great way of bringing order to a room. Plus, it makes accessorizing so much easier (and more livable!) when there's a sense of balance. Speaking of, check out this pair of alabaster lamps Jordan found at a tag sale in Jackson! My friend Heather over at Habitually Chic bought a similar pair on my recommendation during a shopping trip to the Hell's Kitchen flea market. These, however, are a bit leaner, and in this space, I love the architectural detail, overscale drama, and elegant, airy feel they bring to the mix.

 

Now that the largest elements are in place, and the overall scale and shape of the scene are set, it's onto the details! Coffee table books, we all know, are every stylist's friend. But perhaps what you didn't know are some of the insider tricks we use to make them work even better in a larger composition like this. To keep the palette neutral as a quieter backdrop for elements to come, I turned the books around so that the binds face the wall. It's unexpected, casual, and textural too. My other favorite trick I used to do all the time for photo shoots back in the city is to remove the jackets altogether; sometimes the linen hard cover is even prettier and far more sophisticated than the jacket!

 

To build further on this part of the composition, we stacked her collection of favorite magazines (Vogue, Country Living, and of course, the dearly departed Domino), still with the binds facing in. They're stacked higher than expected, so they stand up to the lamps and mirror, but with a quieter, textural feel.

 

For the final addition to our monochromatic stack, we topped it all off with a simple set of boxes, clean and white. The more storage, the better, right? Plus, they add just the right finishing touch to the pile without overpowering it. 

 

Next, up against the mirror, we leaned a cherished print Jordan found at a flea market in North Carolina. The layered look is casual, spontaneous, and best of all, very personal. In fact, in a composition like this, art of any kind—an old movie poster, a black and white lithograph, even a family portrait—is a great way of adding graphic punch to the mix.

 

For a pop of color against an otherwise neutral backdrop, we added a single brightly colored candle. A pair would have been too much symmetry with the lamps. Plus, it's such great way of using all those onsie candlesticks from the flea market!

 

Every composition of accessories, whether on a desk, a vanity, or a coffee table, needs a bit of sparkle. This one especially could use a collection of more light-reflective elements like lusterware, porcelain, or (a favorite of Jordan's) beautiful silverplate! The smaller scale of these elements fills in the gaps on the dresser with a grouping of objects in a single material but in varying shapes.   

 

Finally, to inject a bit of life (literally!) into the mix, we added a lush arrangement of lavender tulips, low and full. Now, I've always loved doing flowers, not only because they're beautiful but because they're such an important finishing touch. They don't have to be expensive—carnations are my favorite!—and the arrangements themselves can actually be kept quite small. It's the details—garden roses on a side table, daffodils in the powder room, or lilies of the valley on a writing desk—that add life and beauty to any room.

And so, if you need a little how-to help accessorizing a piece of furniture in your home—a dresser, a sideboard, a console in the foyer—start with symmetry, experiment with scale, then layer in your elements, piece by piece, and I guarantee your composition will be picture perfect. That's it for now from the city. Back Tuesday with a delicious bit of country you'll love!

Comments

[Chloé]

Thank you for your great lesson, Eddie.
I want to ask one thing that is it still look great if i put an art canvas instead of the mirror.

[Joanne]

It's pretty but it feels very much that if someone reads a magazine the whole setup will be out of synch.
It wouldn't work in my home with three men who care little and occasionally two daughters who would read the magazines.
Something other than reading material maybe?

[mc]

I like this but it is a little too cluttered. I would remove the boxes and all of the magazines and switch the stack of other 3 books with the flowers. Then I would get rid of the 3 little silver items all together. I would then switch the pink candle for an orangish one to pull in a color from the rug. The pink screams "I pulled this from my birthday candle drawer."

[Damin]

Too cluttered for me, I don't know anyone who has piles of books on their dressing table.

Wouldn't it make sense for there to be less stuff on the dresser so that you can actually use the top for more practical reasons.

The voice of dissent has spoken.

[melissa]

i need step by step help like this. thanks

[al]

came here from apartment therapy mostly because i saw the rug and was hoping to find more information about it. it's great!!!

[healthy ashley]

I saw this and did a similar thing in my apartment last night! Great tips- thanks!

[Karol]

What a great tablescape! I would never think to use two lamps, but it looks fantastic.

Karol :0)

[Sarah]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! This post is so, so helpful!

[Alia Azhar]

You are my guru. Thank you for showing the step-by-step process. It relieves your readers of all our fears when you break down a task like that.

Your forever fan,

Alia
Sweetshorn Vintage

[Audrey "drey" Coggins]

I love this, thanks for the teaching. I have been searching for a good book that teaches the mere mortal on the art of creating beautiful, thoughtful and inspiring tablescapes... do more, do more!

(KNow of any good books?)

Incidentally I am so touched that you respond personally to each of my comments!

[Susan]

I like that. And I think I'll try this appoach with my bedroom dresser. (But, sorry...would the flowers be better placed so they wouldn't cover the lovely print?) I do try to have somesort of flower(s) in my bedroom. It just makes me feel special even if my day turned out not. The step by step is very nice. Thanx again.

[50s gal]

Fine job, indeed, sir. This level of decorating is often the most fun AND the most challenging. It is that balance of when one is wearing enough or too much jewelry or if her shoes match her bag!

[thomas]

i absolutely love it. i always have trouble accessorizing.

[decorpad]

It looks so effortless, but it's truly a gift! Thanks for sharing, Eddie!

[patricia]

You are a swell friend - indeed.
pve

[hanako66]

It looks amazing...thank you for the tips!

[Betsy]

I love the step by step build up - thanks for this!

[Jaybird]

Thank you for the instructions...they were great!!
In my entry I have a reproduction dry sink....would it be possible for you to do a tablescape for a space that has two levels, one considerably narrower than the other??
Thank you so much for always being able to give us wonderful ideas!

[desiree@lookiloos]

Thanks. I love the photos showing step by step. It really shows how each piece adds to the over-all finished vignette.

[Jennifer]

so pretty! I love a little chest. and those lamps are to die for.

[paula]

great work. so lovely.

[Mona from Toronto]

Gorgeous!! Thanks for doing the step by step! You make it look so easy!

I have to buy a new dresser and I never thought about putting two lamps on it - but it looks great!

Right now I have a white dresser - and I have a white vase on it. How boring compared to yours!

[ralphie]

Hi Eddie.
Love the dresser "scape". I do wonder about the large floral arrangement in front of the print though. Since it is an important piece to her, would it not be better to use a smaller or shorter one in that area maybe? The overall composition is super great. Elegantly casual. Bravo!
Thanks Eddie
Ciao!

[Sarah]

What a great post! Very helpful - there's always something to learn on this blog!

[Granny Smith Green]

Lovely arrangement. Not wanting to get hung up on one detail but, I must ask you about the books and magazines. Why such a tall stack. I understand that you wanted them to relate to the lamps and mirror. Is that the primary motivation? It struck me a about 6 or 7 magazines too many. My thought was, "hope she doesn't want to read those books. That would be a pain". What do you say?

I do thank you for the detailed explanations and the step-by-step photographs. It's fun to see how your mind woks! Thanks for a great post!
-GSG
http://grannysmithgreen.blogspot.com

[Terri]

Eddie, this looks so lovely, very quiet and serene and peaceful. I love the flowers, the framed picture, the tall lamps. I really need your help at my house. Do you ever come to Canada?

; )

P.S. I am enjoying watching you on Top Design. You are wonderful, so confident and deliciously mean (in a nice way). god, you remind me of me. I am sorry, but I think you will have to go soon. I think I will stop watching after that (I already know the results, of course. I know I'm behind the times, but it's been such a treat to get to see you on screen!)

[Eddie Ross]

So glad you guys like the dresser...

Marquita!

Great question...From the angle we shot at (straight-on) the print looks covered up, but from others, you can definitely see it! Thanks again for being such a loyal reader!!

xo
Eddie

[Marquita Stewart]

It's pretty but it begs a question...the plant, while pretty, covers up the picture. Why? Is it really needed?

Please advise...this is the first time I have questioned your genius and I may not be able to sleep until this is resolved...

Please put me out of my misery...

-Marquita Stewart
http://marquitastewart.blogspot.com

[Catherine]

Thankyou for a most useful post -- (I've noticed that almost any room benefits, profoundly, from at least one symmetrical focal point - wonder what psychology is behind that? :)).

[Beth]

Thank you - I love the step by step. This is something I do not do well. Someday could you do small round end tables? I have one wood one and one with a white table cloth.

[Rhoda@Southern Hospitality]

I love the step by step, Eddie! One of my favorite things to do is play with accessories & your example is a great thing to follow. xoxo

[Ivy Lane]

Thanks for this visual vignette tutorial! Gonna revamp my hall table now! :)

[Lisa]

THANK YOU FOR MAKING SOMETHING THAT CAN BE SO OVERWHELMING, SO SIMPLE.

HUGS FROM MAINE

http://sophie4me.blogspot.com/

[Lauren Liess]

AWESOME post. love the step-by-step how-to!! looks beautiful!
xoxo,
lauren

[Scautie]

WOW

[Zita - Mlle Magpie]

Just lovely! Nice that you showed how you went about adding everything in.

[Melissa Lewis - Off The Wall]

Perfect and beautiful! It's all in the details isn't it?!?!

[Sharon in Chicago]

Love the vignette and even more, the step by steps as to how you built it up! Flowers are now on my list for when I go shopping later today.