We cannot imagine there is a woman anywhere, and certainly not one who grew up in the South, who did not hear her mother say, “You aren’t going out of this house dressed like that!” It is ingrained in our brains to care about how we look and, after we get over the memories of our mother harping on the subject, we understand all too well that how we look in the mirror is the picture of how we feel on the inside.
We take our wardrobe decision-making seriously. We know how we dress makes a statement to everyone around us. So, we try to take into consideration what we will face each day. But it is the decisions that come next that make the difference between ordinary and wow! It is all about the accessories – a favorite scarf, a necklace, or earrings that add the finishing touches to an outfit. Maybe it is a stack of colorful bangles or a fancy updo with a beautiful hair clip that makes us feel good about how we look.
You can take that same thought process and apply it to home decorating. What is going to make you feel good about how your living spaces look? How do they make you feel? What would make you say “wow” every time you walk through a room?
Accessories make all the difference. We love the classics – pillows and throws, books and bookends, jars and boxes, art and sculptural objects, and, of course, plants. For centuries, most of these elements were purely functional before eventually evolving into more decorative pieces. Pillows were once made of stone to simply keep the head off the ground, and throws were often hides or other rough materials to provide protection and warmth. It was in Victorian England that embellished pillows began to show up on sofas and chairs as accessories for comfort and decoration. As textiles became softer, throws became a luxurious covering that goes beyond a blanket. Today, pillows and throws offer the opportunity to add texture and color to a room, as well as comfort. Like jewels on furniture, they accentuate your style.
Books and bookends can make a room look lived in. When we see a nice book collection, we assume the owner obtained them over time and has probably read each one. Books that used to live in offices and studies now appear in prominent spots in almost every room in the house. Bookends still perform the important function of preserving the integrity of the books they support, but they are also opportunities for high design.
They should be weighty and make a strong impression, even if the impression is a whimsical one. Larger coffee table books often have gorgeous covers, becoming instant conversation pieces, but please do not add a book to your home you never intend to browse and enjoy!
Some of our most favorite accessories are jars and boxes because there are so many choices! They come in all sizes, colors, and shapes. You can add florals or greens to a jar or not. Sometimes a jar is more elegant all by itself. Where you decide to place a jar will determine its size and if it needs greenery or other filler. Gorgeous jars can be found in most home furnishings stores but their quality can vary a lot. If there is a printed design on the jar, take a good look at the quality of the coloration. There are lots of uses for pretty boxes around the home. They come in a wide variety of materials including wood, bone, and acrylic. They are an excellent way to hide remote control devices and miscellaneous clutter.
Art and sculptural objects are probably the most intimidating accessories to select but they are absolutely the most impactful elements in a room. Traditional art, modern art, alluring sculptural pieces, or beautifully framed family photos tell stories and interpret our lives each in a unique way. On the walls, on tabletops, or in bookcases, art reminds us of places we have been and challenges us to go places we have only dreamed of.
There is always room for lots of art in all shapes and sizes. Every home should have plants and, if you can accommodate one, an indoor tree. Indoor trees can be temperamental, but they are worth it. The height and shape of a tree add artistic details to your space in such a graceful way. If your South Mississippi home is a second residence, there are some fabulous faux plants that
are unbelievably realistic. They are not inexpensive, but they are a nice alternative to live plants that will not thrive when you are away. They provide color and will make us feel connected to nature in the same way a living plant does.
One of the hallmarks of a well-designed home is that each room has depth and interest. The rooms seem to draw us in. The furniture is not flat. Eye-catching accessories are layered and coordinated, giving you the sense that each piece was carefully curated and is loved. Like each one of us in the mirror each morning, a well-dressed home makes a statement about who we are. It makes us feel good and comfortable. And that is something Mama would approve of.
Holly Harrison has been a licensed interior designer for over 35 years. Shannon Stage has spent nearly 20 years in the giftware industry. Together they own Sassy Bird Interiors in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
Sassy Bird Interiors
122 Court St., Bay St. Louis
228.344.3181
www.sassybirdinteriors.com
