Vignette Workshop with The Block twins, Alisa and Lysandra

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9KdGMEpbGI When styling a home, something that can make or break the design is the use of vignettes. Not sure what vignettes are? Chances are you do, and chances are you already use them! Vignettes are the accessories, bits and pieces, or nick knacks we all have lying around our homes. They might not look like much on their own, but when placed correctly they can transform a rooms whole persona. When Alisa and Lysandra met with IIHS for a vignettes styling session they didn’t know the power vignettes had in the home staging industry. When using vignettes, it is important to layer. This allows you to connect the furniture to the rest of the home, creating flow and ease through design. According to Naomi, there are some very important rules to follow when styling vignettes. Firstly, you must use odd numbers. Not only is this more pleasing to the eye, but it also gives the area you are styling are more peaceful feeling. Think about it – one coffee table book looks fine, two doesn’t look finished and four looks overdone, so three would look great! Secondly, use different heights. Think about this in a bigger context, a city skyline wouldn’t look nearly as beautiful if all the buildings were the same height, would it? The same goes for vignettes, use different items of all different sizes to make the area look more interesting. Next, differently textures are extremely important. Pair worn with new, shiny with matte, rough with smooth. Doing this will make the area more interesting and visually pleasing. You don’t want anything stock standard or overdone. If you are obsessed with rose gold accessories, try adding a splash of matte black or grey, this will make the textures stand out more are become more of a statement. Also, add light anywhere! Candles, desk lights, fairy lights, lamps and salt lamps are all great ways to add a touch of light to the space. Not only will this add another interesting aspect to the space, but it can provide a helpful device too. Lighting is a great way to, literally and metaphorically, light up a space. Finally, depth is important. This isn’t a library where everything needs to be pushed to the front! Have some things sitting further back than others. Think this might look out of order or messy? This of it as ordered placement. Everything is there because you put it there, not everything has to be in line. So, what did Alisa and Lysandra take away from this workshop and what should you take away from it as well?

1. Be brave – chances are if you try something new it will turn out awesome! The worst thing you could do is listen the voice in the back of your head that’s telling you that those vignettes don’t go together.
2. Experiment with different ideas – styles are made to be mixed and mashed together. Use what you already have to create something totally new!
3. Tell a story – make everything flow, add dimension to a space to create something awesome!

Want to find out more about styling? Check out the video Naomi made with Alisa and Lysandra below and make sure you leave a comment telling us what your favourite tip was!