I don’t have a big home improvement budget at this time in my life, (working on changing that!) but I do have a voracious appetite for beautifying our home. One of the cheapest and easiest ways to change up your decor and to really add a personal and bohemian flair, is to style a vignette of favorite and collected objects, or still life. Vignettes can be as simple as grouping several heights of candles together in front of a mirror, to a carefully curated cluster of gathered pieces, thoughtfully placed using the following principles…
A grouping of treasured items on a tray via apartmenttherapy.com
Height- Most vignettes look balanced when the height of the objects displayed is varied. Having a tall anchor piece in the back is usually the way I start and build the vignette around it.
My own vignette with a peacock theme. I found the plate on clearance for $6.00 at the grocery store! This display will continue to change over time.
Layers- When considering the height of objects, it is also important to think about the various layers of personal objects that will assist in mixing up the height and dimension of your still life. Think stacks of books, candle holders, vases in different heights, colors and shapes, sculptural objects, personal photos…
A simple vignette of glass bottles and a beautiful orchid. Your display can be simple or full.
Lighting- Adding light is a nice way to showcase your vignette, it can be a lamp (height!) a candle or cluster of candles, a wall sconce located near the vignette, or even a window with natural light. I think having added light can be nice at night when natural light fades and it can also change the mood of the display.
This display has an Asian feel with the tea pot, Buddha and Kwan Yin statues. No need to spend lots of money on fresh flowers when a branch gives such impact to a display. Via boligpluss.no
Variety- Having a variety of objects of different eras, colors, textures etc… can keep a vignette from looking to matchy and staged. You want things that mean something to you, even it if it just that the object struck you as totally cool! I tend to gravitate toward lots of objects more than I do a minimal look, not all of us with a taste for the Bohemian do that though. Make sure you move items around from time to time, take some out and add new things that are current to who you are now in your life. Editing your still life keeps it current for what is relevant in your life now, but also what is special and nostalgic too.
I picked this rattan and wood tray up at the thrift store. I am thinking of adding some color to it with decoupage.
Backdrop- Not totally necessary, but can really add color and a focal point with which to base the entire display on. It can be a mirror or a piece of art, either hung on the wall or propped against the wall. A bright printed fabric on the table or a scarf on a shelf. Layering can come into play again here by layering mirrors, art and photos of different heights one leaning upon another. I was thinking it would add some color and interest to line the back of my bookcase shelves with some fabric or scrapbook paper. Especially this white kitchen bookshelf.
Even the kitchen gets a few little vignettes. Here I have gathered some gifted Dia De Los Muertos mementos from Mexico for some whimsy.
Location- Selecting the location can be as varied as front and center on a coffee table or tucked away on a windowsill. The objects you have to display and the surfaces around your home will help to determine the location. The kitchen cookbook shelf is a great place to tuck away things that have been collected over the years like these Day of the Dead figurines from my good friend Rosie. One of the kids made the little clay sculpture.
Play with the spacing and the collection of items, be there many or few. The only thing that is required is to make it your own, having your personality and creativity expressed. I wanted to show you some of my vignettes, including some of the “mini” vignettes. Small displays of collected objects that I love to keep out where I can see them, rather than in some box, never to see the light of day. I have also gathered inspiration from around the web of still life I thought were beautiful and hope you enjoy too.
I do admit that keeping everything dusted and shined is a challenge for me in my time cramped life, but keeping your objects clean and well cared for is so important to make a statement of style and appreciation of your collection. I love to tuck groups of objects together in nooks and crannies to provide a whimsical touch in sometimes unexpected places. Where are your favorite locations to display your cherished objects? What kind of items have you added to your vignettes?
Be creative and stay inspired!
