Vignette: display designs

Vignette - interior design definition: a grouping of objects that creates a pleasing picture with visual significance. Sometimes putting together such a display, whether on a shelf, wall, fireplace mantle, table, floor, countertop, pedestal, window ledge, or anywhere really, can take some practice.

The goal is to arranging accessories in a way that will make the eye to stop, relax and stay awhile. If this is a new concept to you, perhaps start with small groupings of 3 items. To help make the process easier, here are some basic rules you can apply:

A symmetrical display: Use symmetry appropriately. Even groupings and symmetry can give a formal, balanced feel which has it’s place in design. Be careful though as it can look overworked.

An asymmetrical display: When decorating with accessories in a more relaxed or informal setting, group in odd numbers, or asymmetrically.

A vignette should have a cohesive theme. Elements that can create a theme are colour, texture, size, item type or collection. Examples here show a collection of crystal and silver, blue oriental ceramics and vintage hand mirrors with hat stands.

If you choose to hang a group of family photos, art, mirrors then they should all have something in common, such as a sepia hue, black & white, similar or identical framing material. Leave several inches of breathing space around each piece

Consider the scale of your grouping within a room, accessories should support their environment's aesthetic - not work against it. Stagger object heights. To create visual interest, group objects with differing heights: high, medium and low.