Styling the Perfect Shelfie
Forget selfies, for those of us who are interiors obsessed it’s all about the shelfie. Figuring out the perfect balance of styling in a beautiful vintage cabinet or on our custom floating shelves is one of the final pieces of what we do. When done correctly, it makes our clients’ most prized possessions stand out and gives the entire room so much more personality. It’s easier than you think, so give your shelves a refresh and tag us on social so we can take a look at all of your handiwork.
Here are some of our best tips…
Edit, edit, edit.
Look critically at the things you own and how you present them. Sometimes less is more, group things with like colors, and don’t be afraid to move things around and see how they look. Differences in texture and asymmetry are your friends!
Play with scale.
It’s not just about adding things, you want to vary the weight (both physical and visual), the height, the texture, and depth of things that you place onto a shelf. Obviously, they should loosely relate but it doesn’t need to feel matchy-matchy. Don’t be afraid to stack things and place items both vertically and horizontally.
Don’t be afraid to use larger accessories.
A lot of people think shelves are for small accessories only. Don’t be afraid to add in large bowls or vessels, adding too many small items can make your shelves look disorganized and cluttered. If you want to add in smaller items, consider organizing them in a larger box, vessel, or crate.
Add in natural touches.
Live or dried plants and flowers add an organic touch and tons of amazing texture to a shelf or cabinet. We’ve really branched out before (pun intended) and love how sculptural and unexpected these elements can be. One time we even sourced a tumbleweed to use on top of a cabinet. Don’t be afraid to use whatever calls to you because of its color or shape.
Use what you’ve got.
Your special things are what bring character to your home. Don’t feel like you need to go out and buy a ton of things to stock your shelves with. Your home is about you. Also, books are a key styling tool. Include your favorites in the mix! If you’re dealing with color matching issues, check the book color underneath the dust jacket to see if it’s more neutral.
Artwork doesn’t need to be hung.
Don’t miss an amazing opportunity to display artwork on your shelves. Smaller pieces don’t always need to be hung on the wall, sometimes it’s more fun to swap in framed or unframed canvases onto your bookshelves tucked in behind accessories or front and center, they add color and texture to the shelves.
Shop some of our go-to items…
Black Vessels
-Utility Objects Mini Vase
-Deco Terracotta Handled Vase
-Textured Black Pot
-Raw Noir Vase
-Arhaus Black Vessel
Neutral Vessels
-Arhaus Amphora Vase
-Vintage Grey Vase
-Umbrian Urn
-Artisan Hand Painted Earthenware Vases
-Ruffled Marble Bowl
-Stash Pot
Art
-“Truth is stranger than fiction” framed print
-Benson-Cobb, “Dune II” framed print
-“Vintage Etching” 1 & 2 framed giclées
-“Classic Figure Study I” framed print
-“Charcoal Figure Study II” framed print
-“Heirloom no. 1” Print
-“Heirloom no. 2” 8x8 print
Books
-“Architectural Digest at 100: A Century of Style” by AD
-“Pacific Natural: Simple Seasonal Entertaining” by Jenni Kayne
-“Gathering: Setting the Natural Table” by Kristen Caissie
-“Houses: Atelier AM” by Alexandra & Michael Misczynski
Sculptures
-Greek Bust Sculpture in Verde Black
-The Great Sculpture
-Antique African Tribal Primitive Wood Female Figure Carved Ashanti
-Rustic Primitive Sculptural Decor Figure
-Vintage African Bronze Wrist Snake
-Greek Head Fragment Sculpture
-Men at Rest, Set of 4
Images: Erin McGinn Photography
GIFs: Zack DeZon Photography
