The Making Of A Vignette!!

We all have some form of a vignette in our homes. It could be on a book shelf, end table or a coffee table. Vignettes are used throughout our homes as a means of display for pieces that we love and want to look at.

Vignettes are not just confined to living rooms or bedrooms they can be placed through out our homes.

My friend Delores of Vignette Designs blog just did a post on kitchen vignettes. She shows some lovely vignettes in the kitchen including some from her own gorgeous home. Be sure and visit her blog to see these great inspirational images if you need to do a vignette in your kitchen.

Although it appears to be a simple task, it is not always so easy to do a vignette that is appealing. When I did design consults this is the one consistent area of puzzlement for most homeowners. They would struggle with mantel tops, bookshelves and end tables or coffee tables.

That brings up a question: “What are the necessary fundamentals to making a beautiful vignette?”

• Vary the size of the elements.
• Create an up and down wave motion with the ~~~ elements~~~
• Vary your textures using, rough, shiny and  smooth objects.
• Have one main element that will be the star,it will ground the grouping, all the other elements will relate to this element in your vignette.
• vary your shapes, soft edges with harder straight edge items.
• make sure your elements also have an in and out motion by placing some items in the forefront and others in the back creating a layered affect.

Let’s look at some images of vignettes that I have collected…….

via

I love this vignette, it is actually one of my favorites. Let’s start on the left….. the plant starts this vignette out on a low level, then we go to the lantern and the wave goes up. When we reach the glass cloches we go back down the wave. This is what I mean about going up and down in a wave motion.

How about the textures? We have a bit of shine on the leaves, the rough texture of the lantern, and moving along to the cloches we have the shine of the glass. On the lower shelf we have the rough texture of the baskets and the shine of the green leaves of the plant.  All in all this is making quite a lovely vignette. I think the lantern is the star or the anchor in this vignette.

via

Oh how I love lanterns and this vignette is so appealing to me. Notice the up and down wave pattern? The rough texture of the hat and the warm patina of the wood ? The shine comes in the form of the glass in the lanterns, and the shiny metal of the keys hanging on the wooden knob. A small detail, but one that keeps this vignette interesting. I also like the way they hung one of the lanterns. Multiples are the theme of this vignette.

via

This vignette is a wonderful example of more than just what is placed on the table. This vignette incorporates the surrounding areas, the floor and the walls. Always keep in mind when you have an end table with a lamp on it, what is above it on the wall. 

We have a nice wave pattern, great variation in the textures, and the  surrounding area has been addressed with the rough texture of the wooden dough bowl, and the lovely botanicals.  In this vignette I think the green lamp is the star and everything is working off of that.

via

I love white pitchers and apparently this homeowner does also. Even though the textures are all the same the variation in size and shape keeps it interesting. The chair in front of the cabinet is a nice addition of texture. The pitchers are lined up, and yet they still are creating the wave pattern that is so important in a good vignette. There is no star in this vignette, but the fact that the pitchers are done en masse keeps it interesting and very effective.

via

In this vignette we have layers. The items are stacked one in front of the other creating interest and depth. There is variation in size, form and texture. Notice the dark tray with the orange boxes, this is grounding the whole vignette.

via

This vignette done by Phoebe Howard, my design idle, has a quiet, casual elegance to it. The star is the clear vase of flowering branches. The wave pattern is there and the rougher texture is brought in by using the branches and the actual patina of the wood piece which has a somewhat rustic feel to it. There is shine in the vase and the mirror. The smoothness comes from the white porcelain. We have wonderful color from the flowers and the beautiful fruit.

I hope this helps you all a little bit!! Next time you go to do a vignette think of the elements you are about to use based on their…..

• Texture
• Shape
• Size
• Color

Place them in a wave-like configuration making sure they are not lined up like little soldiers unless you are using one type of item as in the pitcher display above. It helps to move some elements back and others forward to get another form of motion.

Pull your favorite elements together and start making vignettes!!!

“Enjoy the Process!” Of:

Making an interesting vignette for your home.

Kathysue

Reminder: Don't forget to email me a question for the "Question of the Day " post that will be posting this Friday!

Toliet Paper

I am very particular about toilet paper and I will buy one brand and one brand only. Northern Extra Plush!!

Now for the part where I think you all might think that I am a bit strange.

Don’t laugh, but I love the look of toilet paper rolls stacked. Yes, you heard right. I am not sure why, but I like  it.

I am in the process of cleaning out my laundry room/The Pit/The utility room. Hubby has promised to paint it for me, more on that later.

I have a shelf that I keep my toilet paper, paper towels and cleaning rags on. It is a  totally utilitarian piece, but I love the way it looks.

 

Okay, now you can laugh. Even I think it is strange that I love the look of stacked toilet paper. I understand my love for a stack of white towels, but even I will admit I think it is a bit strange that I love stacks of toilet paper.

I did find an image that I think you will all appreciate……

It appears I am not the only one that enjoys a good toilet paper stack!!

So tell me, do you have any strange likes? How do you feel about toilet paper stacking?

“Enjoy the Process” Of:

Stacking your toilet paper or however you like to store it!!

Kathysue

Announcement!!

I will be posting the ,"Question of the Day" on Fridays of each week. It will give us all a week to think of a question and all weekend to give your answers in the comments!! Thank you all for letting me know that you like this idea!!  Now email me your questions at:

Goodlifeofdesign@yahoo.com
Subject: Question of the Day!!

Opinions Please!

Blogging is a wonderful forum to not only state our opinions, dreams and desires, but also a great place to get opinions from like minded people.

I remember years ago I had a discussion with a few of my friends stating that I would love to have a resource of like minded people that we could connect with and ask each other questions about what was concerning us pertaining to our lives.

Nothing heavy duty, just general questions about our homes, children, fashion, beauty products, etc.
I remember one particular question that I had on my mind and wanted to know what was a solution that others found that had worked for them……

“How do you store all of your gift wrapping?”

Back then there were no special containers for these items and it was always a big problem for me since I loved to wrap pretty gifts.

Now that I am blogging I  have that forum to address my concerns or questions with my like minded readers.

This is where I need your opinion…….

What do you all think about me having a, “Question of the Day?!!” once a week?
I would ask a question and you, my readers, could give your answer in the comments.

I would also like to give YOU, my reader an opportunity to ask your own questions. I would like YOU to email me your question and I would post it on my,”Question Of The Day”blog post, and my readers would answer your question. I would not post your name only your question.

I am not sure how this might unfold, but I am willing to try this if you all think it is a good idea and something  you would like to participate in.

Let me know what you think by leaving me a comment. If you think this is a good idea email me  any questions that you would like to open up on my blog in order to receive answers from like minded readers.

Kathysue

Don't forget the towel sale going on at Neiman Marcus!
See my other post for today.