Member Photos: Small Touches Make a Big Difference
Inspiring Vignettes From a Creative Houzz Member's Home
Last week I wrote a 3D art idea book, which featured physical items in the home as decoration (globes, vintage desk fans, record players). Of those photos, my favorite was a pair of miniature Eiffel Towers from Houzz user Sandy. After further investigation, it was obvious her beautiful home was filled with small, charismatic pieces, many of which she had photographed and uploaded. Here are my seven favorite photos and why I love them.
Similar in impact to the small scale Eiffel Towers, the miniature Easter Island statue gives a surprising (and colorful) lift to this side table. And I love how well it pairs with the vintage clock and paperback books. I’m currently on the hunt for a vignette of my favorite piece of architecture, the Capital Records building, in Los Angeles.
So many times our fine china sits in cabinets and cupboards, only used a few times a year. But seeing this teapot holding antique spoons made me want to figure out a way display my favorite kitchen item: a glass pitcher from the 1960s. I'm going to use it as a vase for flowers.
I saw this and instantly thought, "Why have I not done this before?!" It's tough to display photos in bulk, but this is brilliant. I don't think it would work with color pics, but by going with slightly worn black and white photographs, it encourages guests to pick up and sift through this bowl of history.
This is the aforementioned inspirational photograph. Hardback books already look great stacked on a shelf, but the miniature Eiffel Towers really add a nice physical element. And while this certainly works for the bookshelf or library, mini replicas of iconic architecture would also look great on a desk or in an office.
I think we tend to forget that fruit can be used as tasteful decorations: a bowl of Clementines around the holidays, granny smith apples in the spring, lemons in the summer. The bowl of oranges on this navy and white checked tablecloth provides a charming, Americana dining backdrop.
For those who are paranoid of clutter, this might not be for you. But I'm a fan of neatly stacking books or magazines as a form of both practical storage and art. Lots of little books (like lots of little picture frames) can make a grand statement. And the fact this den is centered around bookshelves and a fireplace (rather than a flat screen), certainly helps cement the library vibe.
Thanks to the digital age, cards, post cards, envelopes and letters are rapidly becoming things of the past. Which makes the occasions when you are on the receiving end all the more special. I love how feminine this arrangement is, capped by the mirroring glass basket on the card.