Accessorising Interiors
As fashion accessories, complete and perfect an outfit, interior design accessories dress up and fulfil an interior design environment with artistic selections of colour, texture in different shapes and sizes.
Ornamenting with accessories is also a meticulous design process. Everything has to agree with the core design concept of the environment, while giving the sense of life and home to a space. If not design and organized properly, they can be spotted and distinguished as clutter, which is an interior design taboo.
With a wave of various trendy accessories available in the market, it is quite confusing to make a careful selection that will suit your design needs. It is also rather tricky to exercise restraint in front of these beautiful interior design ornaments. Just as it is unbearable to say no to the most glamorous haute couture bag or that stylish leather strap watch, when you have nowhere to use them, it is quite difficult to say no to an artistic sculpture even when it does not fit your interior concept, or for that matter, your room size!
But as most wise designers say, when in doubt, stick to the basics! This blog aims to introduce the subject of accessories by presenting them in their basic groups types to create a mapping of design information for every designers and designers at heart.
Pillows and Cushions
Adding fabrics and cushions to an interior environment is a great way to add colour and pattern to an interior environment. Apart from this, incorporating soft furnishings adds “softness” and homeliness to an interior space.
On a more formal setting, symmetrical arrangements are more pleasing and gives a statement of poise and balance.
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Random patterns add a casual, relaxed impression, prompting the feeling of homey relaxation to a space.
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Cushions can also come in different fabrics, design and texture.
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Flora
Flowers and plants are wonderful additions to an interior design scheme. Not only do they add an organic feel to the space by bringing the outdoors inside, it is known to help in Indoor Air Quality by lowering carbon dioxide levels as well as certain pollutants. Greenery is also known to make people more at ease with their environment and increase their wellbeing.
Plants represent life in an Interior Space. The presence of greenery also provides the psychological effect of peace and calm. This fig tree has transformed this plain room to a contemporary and lively retail space.
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Potted plants also add an interesting balance to a table top.
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Floral Arrangements provide a feminine touch to any interior set-up
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Potting also gives an interesting character to an interior landscape setting
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Wall Art
Plain walls are always a bore. Wall hung accessories always adds an interesting feature to an empty surface and helps bring colour and, most of the time, an artistic flair, thus bringing in an added value to an interior environment, making it look more posh and luxurious.
Wall sculptures are quite unique and unexpected, which is a good amount of surprise element to an interior design. Not only do these bring character, but it also elevates the design to a higher level with the artistic component that comes with it.
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Carved pieces like this wall panel from Thailand creates an ethnic 3-dimensional highlight to an interior scheme.
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Wall hung paintings is a popular way to decorate walls. Not only do they add a splash of colour to a space, but they also add a point of interest for all users of the space. Most often than not, these art pieces become the focal point of an interior design scheme.
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High resolution photographs can also adorn an interior wall in almost the same way as paintings. Photographs, however, do not give the same luxurious impression but a photograph more often tells an interesting story, hence bringing the viewer to a different dimension from reality.
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In our modern design era, wall clocks and the likes have evolved from being just a round piece with digits stuck to it to more highly interesting works of art. Whether digital or analogue, designers have definitely had fun customising these time pieces over the years.
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Light and Fire
Warmth is an important element of an interior space. Warmth brings the feeling of intimacy and comfort. And warmth is what we subliminally acquire with the presence of lighting and the element of fire.
Candles are a definite addition to a space that lacks the feeling of warmth. The soothing reward of these elements of fire gives a lasting presence of peace and calm. Scented candles gives an even more greater value to a space by providing the psychological effects of scent.
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Bookshelf and Surface Ornaments
Bookcases are no longer cases for books. Accessorising book cases is always a fun job for an interior designer. I know because I always enjoy re-arranging mine every change of season. Bookcases, in a designer’s eyes, is more of a display unit that a storage case.
There should always be a place for old photographs in a cozy home. They may be difficult to fit in a certain colour scheme, but the pleasant memories they offer are just too difficult to castoff. Careful selection and a creative mix and match procedure is key.
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Personal collections are also interesting, random and quirky. It brings a sense of adventure and fun to an interior setting. The challenge is to color coordinate these pieces as they can come in an assorted diversity and it would be quite tricky to fix them in a particular design concept.
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Books are not just for bookworms. Books are fun room elements that can be fascinating point of interest as each represents a particular subject matter and discipline. An owner’s collection of literary pieces also reveals a glimpse of his personality and interests.
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Organic forms bring a nice contrast to the more rectangular shapes found in a bookshelf or a table setting. Round shapes also bring the same contrast, breaking the angular forms and creating variety and distinction.
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Tall sculptural pieces and vases bring variety to this shelf setting.
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Boxes and crates enclose small knick knacks and cluttered items. There is always something that people want to hide. Decorative boxes and storage keep the mess out of sight, while still being stylish and beautiful.
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Mirror Mirror
Mirrors are basic functional décor pieces which, not only fills up an empty space but also creates an illusion of additional space. When specified and arranged with an innovative mind, mirrors can be add an interesting balance to a spatial concept.
This minimalist style mirror brings a subtle presence in this stark environment. It is quiet, yet elegant and pure.
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Simple framed mirrors may be arranged in a sequence to rhythm and balance a space. This appears more formal, yet contemporary at the same time.
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Given a little creativity, mirrors frames can also come in all sorts of different forms, this creating more character and presence.
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Mirrors can also come in the form of interesting sculptural pieces.
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Accessorising may be a meticulous and tricky task but it brings a delightful reward if one is trained to organize for the right result. Successful layering of tiny ornamental pieces is a result of a creative mind, tasteful skill with experience to match. These are the qualities of a good interior decorator.
Are you in love with Interior Design? Learn more about accessories in Module 6 by signing up on our online Interior Design School to get your own accredited diploma in Interior Design and be a fully certified Interior Designer.
