How to Arrange Accessories Like the Retail Magicians

Dear Melissa:

When I go into furniture stores they have everything arranged on tables so nicely. When I try to do it just looks like I dumped a bunch of things on a table. How do I make groupings look good? K.P.

Dear K.:

When trying to create a vignette of accessories, family photos, and the like, it helps to have an eye for composition. Barring that, try these guidelines. Copy what you admired as closely as possible. If you are more confident, group your accessories by type, size, shape, or color – either to relate them to one another or to contrast them. Try to balance the large, dark objects within the arrangement in such a way that your eye travels around them, and is not drawn to just one place. The aim of composition is visual movement and balance. Vary the height of the objects in the grouping to create a more interesting display. Combine tall and short accessories. If you are arranging a collection of objects of roughly the same size, place them at differing heights on top of books or decorative boxes.

If you are still compositionally impaired, remember that “less is more”. Make a statement with just one really impressive accessory on the table, and leave it at that. M.A.K.

Navigating Stairs with Vision Problems

Dear Melissa:

I’m getting on in years and while I can still climb the stairs in my home I have some vision problems and sometimes the stairs look like one solid color to me. My children are worried that I’ll fall. I’m beginning to think they’re right. Is there anything I can do short of moving into a ranch? W. H., Illinois

Dear W.:

Yours is not an uncommon situation, since we baby boomers are all aging (gracefully and otherwise). I’ve actually given a lot of thought to this problem. Good lighting is of course crucial, and rarely provided on staircases I might add. You need to highlight the edge of each tread so that the steps don’t blur together. This can be done in several ways depending on your budget.

Let’s get the two most costly solutions out of the way first. One is to have a carpet installer inset a narrow strip of carpet, in a second color, along the edge of each step; another choice would be to have an electrician light each tread – anything to create definition.

The least costly remedies are to remove the carpeting and stain or paint the edge of each tread. If someone is artistic, this accent strip could be a lovely stenciled design. No matter which solution you choose, get in the habit of keeping your hands free and ALWAYS using the handrail. M.A.K.

For the Weekend Warrior

Designate a room to be this weekend’s challenge. Try one or more of these projects:

For $100 and under …

…Remove all clutter and clean the room until it sparkles. Pare down the number of accessories. Do not forget to wash the windows and all the bric-a-brac. This is already a huge improvement.

…Rearrange the furniture around a focal point. It’s free and I guarantee you that at least one of your rooms can use it. “Shop” your other rooms to gather the most interesting pieces of furniture, rugs, and accessories. Group them for emphasis in this room. Go for IMPACT.

…Create tabletop vignettes with accessories or collections. Start the collection you’ve always wanted.

…Paint anything and everything in sight that needs refreshing, including pieces of tired furniture. Go on, go a little crazy and add some color.

…Lower the artwork on your walls. Proportion also matters, so add artwork to your large walls and remove some art from your small walls. Reframe any picture that needs it.

…Set out fresh flowers.

…Go flea market shopping.

…Increase the wattage in all of your lamps.

…Replace your shower curtain and ratty old towels.

For $500 and under, do all of the above, plus…

…Wallpaper the room.

…Buy a new lamp.

…Add a large plant or tree, with an uplight behind it.

…Splurge on fresh flowers for every room.

…Slipcover a piece of furniture.

…Refinish the hardwood floor or install a new carpet.

…Replace the bed linens with a new ensemble.

…Have a decorator create a plan and timetable for you.

…Paint your front door, replace the porch light, set out some colorful planters, and sweep the path.

…Now that the entry to your house is inviting, throw a party and fill the room with people and foods you enjoy. You won’t even notice the room anymore.

For $2000 and under…

…Replace your kitchen set.

…Reupholster some furniture.

…Buy a piece of investment furniture.

…Copy the ideas in a magazine picture.

…Install new window treatments. Install a fabulous new window.

…Hide your electronics in a new armoire.

…Purchase a great piece of art.

…Go away to a spa for the weekend. When you return nothing will have changed, but you won’t feel so bad about it anymore.

When Should You Call in a Designer?

Dear Melissa:

At what point during a project do you recommend working with a designer? Does it have to be from the very beginning, and for the entire project? Couldn’t we just use a retail salesperson, who is free? C.M., Montana

Dear C.:

Naturally if you are undertaking a large, complicated, or costly project, it is a good idea to work with some type of design professional right from the start, as you begin to formulate your ideas. By evaluating your specific taste, budget, and lifestyle, a designer can direct you to the best resources available to meet your specific needs. This will help you avoid costly mistakes. You may or may not need continued assistance, but you can always limit the scope of the project to what your budget can handle.

Unless you are dealing with a very large retailer, I would recommend an independent decorator or designer, rather than in-store help. This has nothing to do with ability; it has to do with options. An independent designer is not limited to the products offered by that one store. Suppose you like a particular chair, but cannot find a fabric in the store that you like. A designer has thousands of fabrics available through showroom accounts. And what if you need carpeting, wallcovering or window treatments to coordinate with the furniture? Again, your choices are unlimited with an independent designer. M.A.K.