*actually itβs 4 ways but Iβll get to that in a bitβ¦
As I work from home these days, I decided one of the things I wanted to do more was take advantage of the rare days of sunshine in the winter for shooting blog posts. If you are a blogger and you work full time away from home, Iβm sure you know how difficult it is to get decent shots when you go to work in the dark and come home in the dark β your weekends are your only real time for photography and even then, if itβs bucketing down with rain (as it does so often here in Manchester), the light is abysmal regardless of the fact that itβs actually the daytime.
So when I saw it was going to be a lovely sunny day on Tuesday, I figured it was time to get the camera out and do a fun styling session. Actually, Iβm not even sure if I can call it βstylingβ β itβs really just βfaffingβ, messing around with vignettes and creating some new looks.
I was determined to shoot on manual settings and Iβm sure that every single time I do, I learn something new about my camera. I had the camera on a tripod and for some reason, the autofocus (which yes, I tend to rely on) just looked terrible. So, as much as I abhor reading directions, I dug out the user manual and well, I discovered a bucketload of features that I had yet to untap in my little Canon 500D β including how to manually focus in βLive Modeβ. So that was fun.
What was also fun was creating 3 different looks (plus a bonus look!) for the same console table in my dining room. So a few hours of styling/faffing (ie, ripping my house to shreds for βpropsβ), these are the looks that transpired.
Look #1 β Feminine Glam
This is the one thatβs the most βmeβ so I figured Iβd start with this one first (although who am I kidding, really, they are all ME). Itβs colourful and feminine with touches of pink and gold but I think that dark blue wall that is the backdrop for all of the looks grounds the space and keeps it from looking too βfrou-frouβ.
Layering artwork β (especially something as colourful the large abstract painting) creates an engaging backdrop when you are creating vignettes. Just be sure to have items at different levels to keep the eye moving across the surface β if everything was at the same height, the result would be much less interesting. Notice also that I choose those specific books for their spines β the colours of the covers really pick up the colours in the painting and that pink is carried through again in the little vase of roses.
Look #2 β Elegant (but not stuffy)
Now this is a more elegant look with a bit of symmetry in the book stacks and vases of roses, creating visual height on both sides with the candelabra centred between them. I wanted to throw that symmetry off ever so slightly so hung a pineapple sconce and a colourful print at different heights which makes it looks less uptight (which symmetrical design can sometimes have a tendancy to do) and a little more relaxed. Again the books were chosen for their spines in this vignette because they picked up the colours in the print.
I can see this look working in a rather more elegant home β itβs pretty and itβs a bit posh but itβs still a βyoungβ look due to the colour palette of navy and cerise and that cute parrot looking over the proceedings.
Look #3 β Party Time! Excellent!
I wanted to create a bit of a βbarβ area in this one so of course, glasses, sparkling and alcoholic beverages, a cocktail shaker and fun cocktail umbrellas have all made an appearance. A tray is always a great way to corral groups of items and itβs one of those must-haveβs that you honestly just canβt have enough of in your home β they always come in handy to really finish off a vignette.
I wanted this look to be a bit of fun so I used my painting (called βConfetti Risingβ β see? party atomosphere!) to provide the palette and with a painting this large, you really donβt even need anything else. Another book stack picks up the reds and dark blues in the painting with a sculptural accessory sat on top.
Oooh but wait! Thereβs one more!
Bonus Look β Rock βN Roll After Party
This was actually originally the start of Look #3 which had much more of a rock βn roll edge β it was like while the party at Look #3 were playing Pictionary, the Party at Look #4 were playing strip poker and getting trashed on Jagermeister and flaming Sambucas. Youβll see most of the accessories are the same β the only things that were changed were the art, the books and the accessory sat on top of the books. And that is how easy it is to change the entire mood of a vignette just by changing a few accessories.
Soβ¦ first tell me β which one do you prefer?
And secondly, do you like posts like this? Would you want me to do more βpseudo stylingβ posts? Because I really enjoyed doing this but maybe itβs not very entertaining or maybe itβs not very helpful because itβs all the same sort of styleβ¦ I dunno! Let me know in the comments whatβs going on in that big sexy brain of yoursβ¦
P.S. And yes, I realise that Emily Henderson is currently doing posts like this but I SWEAR I had already planned this post for the last month, I was just waiting for a sunny free day to shoot it. But of course sheβs kind of stolen my thunder. Considering that weβre like totally BFFs and stuff, I forgive her for totally stealing my totally original idea. (cough)
Party Time! Excellent! Hahahaha, itβs been ages since I watched Wayneβs World, thanks for the reminder! ;-)
Anyway, love what youβve done here! Of course number 4 is my favourite, but I really like the different feels of each and how youβve explained the thoughts behind them.
Iβm of course totally shocked that Emily would have stolen your idea, though it is a big compliment for you, hehehe :-D
xo
I really like option 1 and 4, although I donβt know if Iβd be brave enough to pull off that gorgeous and disturbing picture β¦ Thanks anyway for the inspiration!
PS, next time you have drinks with Emily, could you please tell her how much I love her ? (ha !)
LOL! Of course, as her BFF, I always pass on well wishes from her fans ;) xxx
Great styling and I love the idea β helps you to figure ways to recreate your favorites β Loving #1 with a piece of statement art!
I like yours way better than Emilyβs. :) And I think Iβm with you, #1 is my favorite.
Haha! Oh you flatter me dear Elizabeth ;) xxx
Love all of them! And yesss, do more posts like this. I love styling ideas and trying them out in my home. Plus you make me giggle :)
Iβm stuck between 1 and 2, but I think iβm going to say 1. Maybe 2 is a bit too symmetrical and the last 2 a tad too busy. Consoles are fab additions and can make great features, but they can become cluttered and then you are drawn to the mess as opposed to the beautiful furniture. I like posts like this as it explores ways to be creative and offers great ideas. Iβm not always great at thinking outside the box :O)
2 & 4 are my faves!
I love all four! Love your fearless style & how you can create so many moods with just a few switches. Posts like this are fun & surely inspiringβ¦but then I think all of your posts are! Smiles, K
Aww thanks Kathleen! *blush* xx
Yep Iβve also seen Emilyβs series and following madly, as I like her style! Love no. 1, 3 and maybe no. 4 even Iβm not so keen on that photo..no 2 seems a bit off for meβ¦ although I know youβre working the symmetry here, but if you take away the roses from under the painting, and add the gold elephant facing inwards, it would work better for meβ¦like your paintings by the way!
Hi Kimberly! Like them all, but I think my favorite looks are #βs 1 and 3. The whole look, accessories,etcβ¦ seem to work the best. Have an awesome day! Amanda
Number 1 is my favourite! It looks so warm, bright and exotic- beautiful!! I love posts like this, itβs great to see how you can style one piece so differently :)
1 is definitely my favourite β itβs perfect! I like 3 a lot too, though. Your paintings are a great backdrop for the styling. I also love seeing that gorgeous Disaronno bottle β I was going to get one before Christmas, but ended up with a cheap Lidl amaretto instead! Think I might have to splash out, though (then when itβs finished I can keep the bottle and decant my cheap stuff in!!) β Iβm a classy bird!
I like this post, itβs fun to look at the different ideas β do more! This also brings back happy memories of the orgasmic fun I had styling my console table!!! ;)
Maria x
Isnβt that bottle just fab?! Oh yes, definitely keep and decant baby, thatβs the way I roll too ;) xxx
i love them all but number 4 has to be my favourite! Think itβs the print and the skull combo!!!
i love them all but number 4 has to be my favourite! Think itβs the print and the skull combo xx
I love doing posts like this too because you can work with what you have. And Iβm totally the party or after party kinda girl.
Like the bottom left the best β lovely β makes you want to have a party just to use the bar cart.
love 1 and 3 β very balanced and appealing ; inspired me to do some styling as well!
can i ask where you got the brass accessory in image 3 β the brass corral like thingy? I bet its vintage, if so, any ideas what search terms I might use to find one on ebay ?thanks!!
Itβs actually from Joss & Main (it came in a set of 3) β I think they are called βWall Urchinsβ (because you can hang them on the wall as well) if you want to try searching Google for them :) xxx
I like all of yours more than hers, especially #3
Aww bless ya Margaret you sweet thing you ;) xxx
Definitely love these sort of posts. More, please! My favourite look is number four. I like that itβs a bit edgy and it talks more to me.
:)
BOOBS, SKULLS AND ALCOHOL FTW!
^Possibly a new slogan for April too? LOL. I loved all 4 of them but the last held a little special place in my heart ;) xx
I definitely think you should create some wall art with that slogan! LOL! xxx
#4 for the win FOR SURE
Swoon indeed! You have some crazy talent lady! They all are amazing, Iβd be happy with any of these. You are killing it! xoxo
I LOVE the painting in picture #1! Are you currently selling your paintings?
Hey Katharine,
Iβm yet, so sorry! When I will, I promise Iβll announce it on the blog :) xx
Love #1 going to recreate that set up for my nightstand. Did you make that canvas? Iβm trying to find something similar
Hi Chloe,
I did yes! I may start selling my art in the future as Iβve had so much interest so stay tuned for more on that :) xx
Love#1 the best. The canvas art is gorgeous as well. Any chance to acquire it or you can show some tips on DIY it? Thanks!!
Hi Carole,
I am actually going to be selling the prints soon so stay tuned for that ;) xxx
Would you mind sharing the color of the wall? I just have to know! :)
Not at all! Itβs Dulux Wild Water 1 :) Hope that helps! xx
Hello! I stumbled upon this post and saw that in the past you were going to start selling your artwork! I was wondering if you were still doing so because I am very interested in the painting in the first set up! It is exactly what I am looking for while furnishing my home! Thank you! -Emily
Hello, Iβve just come across your blog and lobe this one about using contrasting artwork as a backdrop to a dark wall. Firstly, can you tell me the colour of paint you used please? Iβve got a few tester paint pots but they arenβt quite the right shade of blue Iβve been looking for. Also, where did you get the multi layered canvas painting in the first example? Itβs beautiful. Hope you can help and reply to my email. Thank you so much, Julie Watt
Hi Julie, thanks so much! Sure, the paint colour is Dulux Wild Water 1 and the painting is one I did myself! ;) Hope that helps! x