Accessories: The Icing of Your Room
31 01 2008
Today I had to deal with a parent’s worst nightmare (well, in my case, a stepparent’s worst nightmare). There’s definitely nothing worse than being forced to standby helpless as a person makes bad choices, especially when they affect other people as well. I’m so upset with my teenage stepson that I can’t even talk about it!
Of course, being me, I turn to design to drown my anger. The plus for you is that this means I’ve lined up a whole slew of inspirational eye-candy to share! :0)
Today’s eye-candy centers around accessories. Accessories– things like curtains, paintings, photos, plants, and vases– are the finishing touches to a room. They’re like icing on a cake. Even with the best furniture in the world, a room missing the right accessories will feel cold and unfinished.
The following rooms are accessorized in a way that really make the rooms shine. I hope you find them as inspiring as I do! (And if you happen to be a mom who has survived teenagers, please let me know how you did it!)
Designer Erica Islas made this room pop through the combination of color on the wall, eye catching art, inviting pillows on the modern sectional, and texture with the rattan coffee table.
Lori Dennis’ room is a study in perfect balance. Her modern room is enhanced with the simple but fitting round pillows on the sofa, glass balls on the coffee table and gorgeous art on the wall. Notice how the lines of the coffee table and the shape of the wall sconce echo the rectangles in the art.
Designer Don Raney uses accessories to create a romantic, dreamy living room.
And last, but not least, is this beautiful room by designer Shelly Riehl David. I love everything from the zebra rug, faux painting around the mirror, white vases on the coffee table, and especially the starfish!
Happy accessorizing!
I love the Don Raney living room! I can’t help imagining curling up in that comfy looking chair, gazing out the window, dreaming up my next story - and then reality slams down and I envision three little boys racing through the room knocking into that delicate vase of flowers, tipping over the little trees by the fireplace, and I don’t even want to think about the ER trip just waiting to happen with that beautiful sculpture!
WHY is it that every designer living room seems to feature such impractical accessories? Even the throw blanket is perfectly arranged - I can imagine having to replace it 14 times a day just to keep the room looking nice.
Do you have any tips on designing rooms that don’t wind up looking destroyed in a home with young children? (If you’d like to post pictures of your own rooms that would be great too!)
Tricia
I’m also a fan of the inspired room blog and found your site there…i love the light blue wall colors and the white trim … the zebra rug is a nice visual to break up the solid flooring….come visit my site soon…Fay
Love the inspiration photos!! So many beautiful accessories and ideas! Thanks for sharing..love your site!!
blessings,
kari & kijsa
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