THE NECESSITY FOR ACCESSORIES
Imagine a wedding cake without icing. Or wearing that perfect dress without a single piece of jewelry. Something that’s so close to being breathtakingly beautiful instead just turns out kind of flat. And it’s completely avoidable. It all comes down to the finishing touches. It’s the same with decorating your spaces — never overlook the importance of accessories.
There have been more times than I care to count when a client has invested in hiring us to design their homes only to cut the accessory budget at the end of their project. If you want to break a designer’s heart, this is how you do it. Rooms without accessories simply look incomplete, lacking character, personality and soul. Accessories can also reflect your memories and achievements, whether it’s photos from a favorite trip, framed keepsakes, degrees or accolades – they all help tell your story.
And accessories are more than just aesthetic items to dress up a space. They can also be practical items like decorative trays, baskets, coasters and more that add functionality, organization and can even protect your furnishings.
During a recent photoshoot for a primary bedroom we designed, we tried a fun experiment. Let’s shoot everything super-styled and gorgeous with all the bells and whistles and then remove all the accessories and shoot it again. No artwork. No pillows. No plants. No trays or vases or photos. Just the bare bones furnishings.
Here are the results…
BED ESSENTIALS
Photos: Robert Radifera
Decorative pillows are a must! Pillows add a stylish pop to any space. We like to use pillows that are at least 20”-22” inches in width. We also love to use one long pillow on the bed that’s easy to move at night and adds color and interest during the day. A good day should start with a neatly made bed, accented with a pretty pillow.
THE SITTING AREA
Large bedrooms need more than a nice bed. Often there is space for a sitting area, a place to unwind and enjoy a little “me time” to read, sip a cup of tea or just put your feet up at the end of the day.
For bigger spaces like this primary bedroom, we love to use large plants and even trees to bring in a little of the outdoors. Large plants and trees last longer and need less care and watering than small plants. And if you just can't be bothered with plant maintenance, we understand. No judgement, here. These days, artificial plants are hard to differentiate from real ones. (We won’t tell if you won’t.)
DRESSING AREA
If the team at Manlove and Company Interiors could have only one decorating accessory (which is admittedly impossible) it would be the tray. We use trays in every project. Stylish, functional and visually interesting, trays corral small items, so everything looks neat and tidy, and help rooms feel finished.
We aim for a high-low mix of items for visual interest, including objects of varying shapes and scale. This dresser wall is a good example of how a few well-placed pieces can help your home feel personal and complete.
ACCENT WALL
No bare walls allowed. Whether it’s original art, prints or photographs, there’s something out there for every taste and every budget–and we can help you find the perfect piece. Artwork is one of the easiest ways to personalize a space and make it your own.
So, don’t break our hearts by skimping on accessories. They’re the finishing touches that will take your home from nice to extraordinary. For more photos from this project, visit our Portfolio page.