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Layer 6: Accessories

Layer 6: Accessories

Accessories are the jewelry of the room. They add sparkle, interest and eye-catching glitter. A collection of a few larger, well-placed accessories beats a shelf full of dust gatherers. Proper arrangement can take ordinary clutter and organize it into wonderful still lifes that lend that designer look to a room. Merchandising your home is the key to arranging your belongings into groupings that make sense and look fabulous. Place objects at varying heights. Group items by theme or by color.

One of the ways to prevent your accessories from simply being absorbed into the room is to think about scale. Try standing at the threshold of a room and looking at your accessories. If you can't identify a particular object from that distance, chances are it's too small. Gather several small, similar items together as a collection. They'll look more important. Accessories define your personal style.

Layer 7: Plants and Lighting

Layer 7: Plants and Lighting

The seventh layer is about plants and lighting and how to combine them. They work together to create shadow and texture. Shadow is important in creating atmosphere and ambiance.

Lighting can come from above, mid-range and below. Lamp light from the midpoint of the room is most important. Practical fixtures put light at your fingertips. Spotlights from above focus attention on objects. Uplights that sit on the floor cast light upward. Placed behind furniture or under a tree, uplights produce fabulous effects and are the best tool for casting shadow. Here's a tip: remember, as much lighting should come from the floor as from the ceiling.

Adding plants to your spaces will bring natural energy, color and frangrance. There are also good-looking artificial trees available these days. They are so authentic looking that the illusion is destroyed only by the touch. Make sure you place them in a real terra cotta pot or ceramic container.

There you have it. By following my Seven Layers of Design you can avoid costly disappointments and stay on budget by approaching home decorating one layer at a time. If you can put an outfit together, you already have the skills it takes to decorate a room. You Can Do It!

For more detailed information about the Seven Layers, pick up a copy of the book Christopher Lowell's Seven Layers of Design. It's a must-have book for understanding Christopher's design basics, demystifying and reassuring the first-time home decorator.

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