A while ago I saw a merch display that featured all white vases and nick-nacks. Something about the serenity and pureness appealed to me and I immediately thought it could work well on the black hot rolled steel shelves in our dining room.
There is something about odd numbers, that does the magic in the cluster universe. The power of a cluster lies specifically in the group of objects working collectively and not individually. It’s almost like each of their individual aesthetic strength merges into one and sends a message to the observing eye: ” Yes, we look all so different, but yet we belong together!”
What I love most about clustering pieces is that (at least in my world) there are no rules. I go about it almost intuitively. While going through trial and error, I do realize the more opposite the materials are, the better they look as a unit! Further, the more unique they are, the more they complement each other. I personally enjoy mixing eclectic and sometimes ethnic pieces into a modern context, which is the style I mostly feel comfortable in.
Another key aspect of creating a decor vignette is to also mix items with different heights AND opposing shapes. It visually creates a 3-dimensional dynamic, which accentuates their visual composition. Putting 2 accessories with different shapes, but similar heights together don’t mix well as they are actually competing with each other since they share one characteristic: Which is the same height!
Here are different ways and essentials for arranging/composing a cluster. If you want to see some live action, check out this video where I style my shelves using these techniques.
The triangular cluster is defined by using at least 3 accessories with distinct heights and textures, offsetting each other creating a so-called “triangle”.
Tip: It takes some shifting and testing of the different looks. Take a step back and see which look you prefer.
Let’s be honest, it’s really not that easy to source motifs for a gallery wall. Clients frequently ask me how to mix different medias and I often find myself sharing the same approach: The more diverse the collection the more dynamic and enriched the gallery wall becomes. The trick is to arrange and re-arrange the art pieces until it visually complements and makes sense. With that said: Lay them out and make sure neighboring pieces have at least one thing in common: Whether it is the color or pattern that these have in common, it really doesn’t matter.
Welcome to my web 2.0 experience – Maison Lalopa. Here, I’m going to blog about Interior Design and Lifestyle and everything in-between. I’ve been focusing on building up my Pinterest presence in the past 3 or so years and now that I’ve reached great heights with that, I thought I should branch out and work on my own website. Why not?!
Why “Maison Lalopa”? Well, in a way, it reflects the eclecticism that represents me. I chose the word “Maison” because it means “Home” in French and call me crazy, but I love the way this word sounds. Back in college some of my design peers and music colleagues called me “Lalopa,”which stemmed from my private email I had at the time and essentially it is inspired by my maiden name, “Lopes.”
