I’m super excited to introduce my first guest, Erin, from House of Earnest.
Erin has been blogging for about eight months and really has a distinctive sense of style. Today, Erin is going to share her thoughts on creating vignettes with function. Welcome Erin!
Creating a vignette in your home can be a daunting task. I like to think of them as small bursts of personality within the greater scheme, or the clusters of style which speak to an overall design. The great thing is, however, that vignettes don’t have to be just about style. They can nod to the style of a home while serving a purpose or a function as well.
When creating your own vignette consider these things:
1. Color
2. Scale
3. Texture (or pattern)
4. Finishes
Choose one of the above four things to keep consistent. Vary the other three things to create interest and depth. In the above photo, the color palette is tight, keeping balance in the overall story. Texture and scale vary, but are balanced. The large framed art on the left is offset by the tall greenery on the right. The sleek glossy frame of the art is counteracted by the raw paper letter and the textural basket, but then you get just another hit of shine in the little silver bowl.
In my living room, I use a repurposed pallet as a console for media components. Since the pallet is raw and industrial, I decided to ‘up’ the décor factor by bringing in some contrasting elements with soft blankets, a mirrored frame, and a bling-y gold wishbone.
A little corner in our dining room houses a side table decorated with a fall motif! The dark frame ties into the table, while texture, color, and height vary throughout the rest of the vignette. Secret storage and a nightlight serve a functional purpose.
In an entryway, vignettes can be a powerful tool to squeeze in all the function that is needed without sacrificing style. Here a large trunk hides a multitude of essentials, while a tray on top makes it easy to remove in décor and access the trunk. Gold in the frames is connected to the silver tray, while the tall botanicals play well off the shorter opaque hand and low wooden bowl. A book covered in craft paper adds more height to the vase.
Don’t forget about the bathroom! A little bamboo shelf creates a ledge for all the essentials plus a bit of style.
What will you include in your own vignette? On your next rainy afternoon, collect things you love from around your house and get creative!
*all photos by house of earnest
Great post! I certainly need all the help I can get with vignettes.
examples of vignettes sparked lots of ideas. always a difficult task to make clutter looked organized & have purpose. btw, martha & i are doing a progject that we will have to share with you.