Accessories: The Finishing Touch

PEEK AT A PROJECT: Home Accessories

Today on the blog, we want to take you through a part of the design process that we don’t often talk about- accessorizing! At LiLu Interiors, we design down to the last detail. That means that after new wall and ceiling finishes, lighting, custom cabinetry, new furniture and window treatments, we accessorize! Home accessories are important because they provide the finishing touch to a space.

Scope of the Project
Our client, who we have had the pleasure of working with for over twenty years, owns a beautiful home on Lake Minnetonka. We recently did a full design refresh of several of the spaces in this home: the living room, dining room, porch, and caretaker’s suite including a powder bathroom and kitchenette.
We developed complete design schemes for each room. We replaced carpet, wallcovering, and painted ceilings. Then we updated light fixtures. Next we redesigned a fireplace and converted it to gas logs from wood burning. We designed custom built in cabinetry and had custom furniture pieces built to our specifications. We reupholstered some furniture pieces as well as selecting new furnishings. Additionally, we designed decorative drapery and valance window treatments as well as adding window shades for light and heat control.
As you can see, this was a big job where we got to update just about everything in these rooms. But the last step, which can sometimes be overlooked, was to add a final layer to the spaces with functional and beautiful accessories.
How to Accessorize a Space
After installing these spaces, we documented the space with photography. We took note of what areas felt like they needed more detail through accessories. Then we created Mood Boards for the client to review. Check out our Home Accessory Mood Boards and tips below!

Variety

We were careful to consider a variety of objects for the accessories. For example, you can’t just put a vase on every table and call it a day. It’s important to have curated variety in a home's accessories- some ceramic pieces, a basket, a floral, picture frames, etc.

Scale

In addition to a variety of objects, a variety of scales is necessary. This means everything cannot be the same size in relation to each other. Pair large objects with small to create a grouping. If there is another object on the other side of the same table, maybe it should be mid-sized.

Functionality

Make sure to think about function when you accessorize a space. A beautiful set of drink coasters is always a good idea. A decorative box to store remote controls or other unsightly knick-knacks is essential. And of course, the ever popular tray on top of an ottoman is a must have.

Customization

A one of a kind element or two is always nice. In addition to meaningful items from travel, something that was made just for you and your space can make it feel special. We had a monogramed tray made for our client that plays on the secondary colors in the main pillow fabric (which we lovingly refer to as a “magic fabric,” but that’s a blog for another day.)
 

Repetition of Color

Another pro tip is to repeat colors that you see in the room with the accessories.

Meaning

We always love to incorporate a client’s significant belongings. An obvious way to do this is to place family photos within the space. It’s also fun to use objects that a client has collected during travel. This way, the space feels personal, and less like a room filled with a bunch of meaningless objects.

Conclusion

Overall, when accessorizing a home, it’s important to create a plan in advance and think about what type of objects you will need to create an interesting and useful composition. This means, you can’t just run to the store and buy a bunch of stuff.
Can't get enough reading about home accessories? check out this post on Fall Accessories or this post about Office Accessories.