Decor & Objects

The last layer of a room is the most personal. I choose objects with weight, hand and history — stone, ceramic, hand-blown glass, aged brass and wood — so a shelf or mantel looks gathered over time. Styling shelves and bookcases. Work in groups of three with varied heights, and leave space between groupings so each one reads. Alternate books stacked horizontally and vertically, and repeat a material or color across shelves to tie the whole bookcase together. Mirrors. Above a console or mantel, choose a mirror about two-thirds the width of the furniture beneath it. In a dining room, a mirror opposite a window doubles the daylight and the evening glow of the chandelier. Coffee table styling. A tray or a stack of books grounds smaller objects; add one sculptural piece and one living element such as a branch or flowers. Leave clear surface for daily use — a styled table should still be usable. Choosing fewer, better pieces. One substantial object reads as more luxurious than five small ones. Look for natural materials and visible craftsmanship, and rotate pieces seasonally rather than adding more.