How to Create an Easy Vignette

I love seeing an interesting vignette in homes. It instantly gives me a glimpse into the personality of the homeowner. Vignettes are really easy ways to make your space meaningful and beautiful, and they're also a cinch to change up regularly with other things you own. I change up the vignettes around my home all the time - it's a way to refresh without painting or renovating or buying something new.

Vignettes can be an art - but anyone can accomplish them when keeping these five things in mind.

1. Start with the centrepiece. This is something that you build the rest of the vignette around and has personal meaning to you. A memento from a trip, a piece of art, something found from nature, a vintage mirror, or a special gift.

In this vignette the rustic repurposed cabinet that my brother made from barn boards and old weathered windows is my centrepiece. I smile every time I look at it.

2. Add height and depth. A tall element, which may or may not be your centrepiece, and other shorter ones make it interesting. And don't arrange everything in a line against the wall or the back of the surface it's on. Put some things in front of others.

3. Add an uneven assortment of small accessories.
4. Bring in nature. Whether it's flowers or something found on the beach or your backyard, adding an organic element will make the display and your home feel more natural and peaceful.

5. Edit. Step back to review your vignette and then remove a piece or two. We usually have a tendency to add too much; a cleaner look will feel more relaxed and natural, and also allow you and guests to focus on the meaningful things you've displayed.

5 essentials for a small functional entryway

Entryways to our homes create one of two immediate feelings: welcoming and peaceful, or cluttered and chaotic.

One of the biggest problems I see a lot of clients and friends struggling with is a small entryway with little room to organize and store stuff. The family ends up tripping over shoes and jackets and getting irritated every time they enter. That's not the way our homes should greet us!

So for small entryways, I've designated 5 essentials that will get you out of Crazytown and into Happyland.

1. A small table or shelf.  A surface area to throw down your phone, keys, mail, and anything else you might be lugging in or need to find quickly on your way out is key. A place for all of these things instead of having them fall onto the floor will keep you from losing them and your mind.

2. A bowl or basket on your table. This not only adds some style but keeps things neatly corralled.

3. Hooks. They are a lifesaver for a quick place to hang up bags, coats and dog leashes.

4. A large basket or bin. Again, these add style and texture but also provide places to neatly store scarves, mittens, flip flops, etc. where you can easily find them.

5. A mirror. It not only opens up the space visually but also saves time by being able to do the once-over when you're heading out the door, without having to go back into a room after you've put your shoes on.

My tiny condo entry has just enough space to house a small chest with storage drawers, a stump stool for sitting, hooks, a bowl for keys, a big wooden bowl for scarves (the winter picture below) and a mirrored closet door. Small but efficient.

Hope these tips give you an idea of where to start in your entryway. Even just adding a few hooks and a pretty bowl will help! Happy refreshing.