The Difference Between Animals and Humans Is Our Ability To Accessorize

Nothing gives our homes more character than the accessories we put within them. These accessories reflect the personalities of the individuals using and living in the space.

Creating compositions with interior accessories is often perceived as an “intuitive” art, but it is also a skill which can be developed. To create compositions, organize what you already have into meaningful collections, which can be showcased in the space. This could be color, or shape.

Artwork, family pictures or even the color of the frame may be that single unifying element. Symmetrical or asymmetrical arrangements can be used in placing accessories. Each of us has our own innate preference for this. If we see an asymmetrical relationship, our brains automatically feel a

need to fill it the negative area. Others find symmetry too predictable and feel comfortable in “skewed” and non-balanced relationships. Variety and height can play an important role. Aligning items in a straight line will have very little interest and not be “readable” as a grouping. Vary heights, place items close to each other and even overlapped them slightly. Creating pleasant, compositions allow “clustering “or groupings of accessories

The brain will fill in what it does not see. Most importantly, leave areas of negative or empty space. By following some of these simple principles to creating compositions for accessories, you can enhance your collections, provide visual interest to your home, and provide those special areas, reflective of all those who live there.

Another accessory you can employ to add character to your interior design scheme is decorative pillows. You can realize a use for pillows in any type of room, in particular bedrooms and living areas. Pillows can be coordinated to your design scheme and may be made in fabrics or patterns which are coordinated but not necessarily identical. There are also so many wonderful trims, cords and fringes available to give your accent pillows character. Incorporating decorative pillows on your sofa or chairs will add color, texture and style to the furniture.

Keep it simple and you're sure not to miss a beat. Here are some simple rules of thumb for interior design that are put to work daily at William Miller Design, and are not only applicable in the Palm Desert and Palm Springs settings, but work anywhere in the world!

Shapes Are Oppositional

If your table is square, put something round or cirular on it. A rectangular tray or a square dish on a round table is interesting and creates contrast.

Stick To Odd Numbers

This works every time: on a side table, place 3 items. Here's one classic solution: a vase, some stacked books and a picture frame with family photos. 3 , 5 , 7 are magic numbers that give the eye a pleasing reaction.. Designate a focal point or two. These will be your “starting points”, from which you can work outward. As you place your items, it is best to keep clusters to odd numbers, namely, three or five items. More than five items will most likely loose the “readability” of the grouping.

Bring In The Outside

Greenery or your favorite flowers add some life and lighten your space. Don’t have a green thumb? Permanent botanicals are now an alternative to a quality look. They can look so real, you have to touch them to know the difference.

Look to materials and contrast of textures

If you have a glass table, put a glass bowl might get lost in the shuffle. A great place to balance materials is with accessories. You can fill in any missing gaps. See if you can get wood, metal, glass and ceramic in the room. Too much of one material, and it wont feel balanced.