These are some of the ideas I took back with me on a recent trip to Nick Brock Antiques, here in Dallas. If you're local, stop by for some real eye candy. If you're not, you can still go to their website and check them out. The store's bright yellow door sets the tone for the greatness to behold inside...
"One statement piece can really make an impact."
With a sconce such as this, you don't even have to have a lot of other pieces around to create an interesting wall.... but if you have TWO....
Well, then, you have some High-Drama. These sconces are kind of what I like to call a "showcase piece". I think every room needs to have that one special "showstopper" to make the room special. It can be a light fixture, a piece of art, a sculpture, a mirror, or a plaster and gilt sconce of a hand holding a torch....
"Symmetry does not equal boring."
This little corner in the store is very simple, yet I find it compelling. A simple chinese chest is base to a formal 19th century portrait, which is equally flanked by iron wall sconces, two matching lamps, 3 matching vases, which are strategically placed in a pyramid shape giving some height and layers to this look. And can you imagine what this would look like without the gilt starburst fragment on-top of the painting? It adds another shape to the mainly squared pieces below....
"Use unconventional pieces to add height and interest to furniture."
Here is another chest below a mirror. You may not do it exactly like it is shown here, but the idea is good: Add a small stool atop a chest and place items above and below for different heights and more space. You do it all the time with stacks of books, but why not use a small piece of furniture on top of another piece of furniture instead? I might try this one day. I can imagine the possibilities ....
"Stack items on top of books.... while the books are VERTICAL."
Speaking of using stacks of books as a riser, why not put the books in a row, side by side, instead of atop each other, and place one object on top? I haven't done this either, yet..... but I have a feeling I am going to try it somewhere soon.... I like the look above. Unexpected.
"When filling up a secretary or shelves, display your objects in PAIRS instead of THREES."
You know we've always been taught that everything looks best when grouped in "3's", but to me this is proof that pairings can look just as great..... Let's see: 2 plates/platters, 2 urns, 2 vases, 2 matching lamps, 2 foo dogs, 2 books stacked, two candleholders aside each other..... hmmmm.... I like the way this looks!
"One bright colorful object can spark up even the most hum-drum of all work-spaces."
With a gorgeous bright blue opaline glass lamp with gold trim such as this one on the store's desk, you hardly notice the requisite materials such as the tape dispenser, calculator, stacks of paper and so-on that is usually on an office desk.... And the lamp would not be as striking without the small blue gimp on the shade.... It's all in the details, right?
I feel like I really learn a lot just by looking at beautiful spaces around me and purposely taking in all the parts that make that space work. I do it all the time, peoples houses, magazines, stores, nature.... it's all there, free lessons to be had!
