How to create a beautiful vignette
Learn how to style your stuff effortlessly with these tips from West Elm's National Brand Visual Manager, Jodi Hall.
1. Play favourites
Start with one item that you want to feature and build out from there. It could be a piece of art, a photo, but whatever it is, this will be your focal point, this is the star!
2. Get personal
Vignettes are a great way to share your style, so to avoid them looking too staged, include lots of personal treasures, trinkets and pieces that are special to you. Let your personality shine through with books and photos. That’s an important element in all good interior design: share who you are. You can then add in pieces to make it relevant for Christmas, birthdays or seasons!
3. Gather
Grab all your bits and pieces that you want to include into a basket, including things such as plants, books, treasures and candles. Then start the cull as you create your vignette. Play with height: make sure you vary scale and height within your vignette to allow the eye to travel freely over the display. Add a lamp or vase, a trumpet or a vintage ruler. Height creates visual interest allowing special pieces to breathe. Be open to experimentation by stacking books and giving smaller items height. Adding bit of greenery always goes a long way to bring the outdoors in.
4. Avoid clutter
Give your vignette space to breathe – less is more, so take the time to swap pieces in to find what you really love.
5. Being odd is ace
Grouping pieces in odd numbers – particularly threes – create visual interest. It captures your gaze and forces your eye to move around the grouping. This can apply to groupings of photos on walls too!
6. Textural play
Play with contrasting textures. This really creates visual interest and can make a vignette pop. Don’t make it an afterthought – build it in. It could be the patina of a vintage camera, or a cut crystal votive riffing off your favourite indoor plant. Whatever you do, don’t forget to have fun with texture.
7. Step back
Take some time to step back and review what you’ve curated. Eliminate a couple of pieces. The simpler the vignette, the better it will look (trust me, from years of experience!). And always follow your instincts.
For more inspiration, head to www.westelm.com.au.
