I am a true believe that you create your own cozy. You know what makes you feel calm and relaxed and what invites you into a space. It is unique for everyone. Styling a vignette or room comes easy to some people. They can look at a space and know exactly what they need for the exactly the look that they want… Others look to emulate a few elements from inspiration online like my blog, Pinterest, or many other visual platforms out there. Regardless of that type of person you are, you should have the tools that you need to create a cozy space specific to you, and I hope to share this little series of what I call “basics” to achieve your version of that magazine worthy space staring with How to Style a Shelf. You can watch a video discussing Balancing and Shelf styling here as well.
There are a few important and basic elements to styling home decor that I use frequently that, once you learn how to apply, can make envisioning those spaces much easier and a lot more fun.
One of my favorite elements of interior design is balance. I like it because it can apply in nearly all areas of design, from an entire room layout to a small shelf like the one I am styling here.
The Liz Marie definition of balance is ensuring the entire spaces visual weight is relatively even from one end to another, always keeping in mind the way the eye travels along the space.
For this shelf, starting from left to right (as you read), you eye starts high with the oversized Aloe plant. And is breezes over to the center of the shelf, it comes down to the rabbit and the landscape painting. The rabbit apron provides texture to space by breaking up the line of the shelf, and then the eye travels back up to the top of the topiary.
Imagine the shelf without another tall piece on the right side… your eye falls off. The balance element found on the shelf, help takes your eye down, across, and then back up. If you look at my design, you will see the eye movement follows a “U” or “W” like shape for horizontal styling like that of a table or bookshelf.
What do you think of this styling basic tip? If you style a space, using my balance tip or tips from my other post, Styling Shelves 101 (link), share it with me on Instagram, Facebook, or here in the comments! Also, we started a Facebook Group, Click HERE to check it out and ask to join. Thank you as always for stopping by the blog today and every other day. Xx Liz Marie
Product Sources
- Rabbit Apron
- Wall Sconce
- Marble Shelf
- Hello There Mug (Find)
- Bronze Rabbit (Find)
- Landscape Art (Find)
- Topiary (Find)
I learned this concept of balance and how it pleases the eye to travel up and down viewing things, many years ago on a decorating show. This was pre-HGTV! LOL!
I have found that it works, always!
Love this shelf styling with the bunnies, and the painting!
Do you have a link for your jars? And what do you keep in them? I love your style!
Hi, l can anwer your question about the jars as far as where you may find them. I have alot of them in different sizes. I got mine from Walmart and I believe they are Anchor Hoking brand. Amazon may have them too. You can store so many things in them. We used them for coffee and sugar, flour, etc. And they are pretty affordable. Hope that helps.
Layering shelves is great. You do a great job. Layering fat not so much. You insist on wearing unflattering attire all the time. You need a wardrobe stylist. Honestly, and with great respect, find someone who can put you in outfits that flatter you and not flaunt access layers of flab. ???
Wow, that was uncalled for and just plain mean. It’s easy to hide behind a phone or computer screen and say unkind things you would never say to their face. You should of said nothing at all. No respect in what you said.
Oh my. Liz has a unique style that works for her lifestyle. She didn’t deserve that rude comment from you. I hope you have opted out of her accounts and find someone else to badger. Grace and kindness are the new styles to follow and Liz has them both.
You always look beautiful and I love your style! Some people are just mean for no good reason.
There is always the one who feels better about themselves by saying and writing unkind things about someone else. They hide behind words. So sad for you, do you feel better now.
Wow! “Honestly and with great respect”… you’re kind of a bitch.
If you are talking about the ones under the shelf, it looks like she has flour, brown sugar and white sugar in them as do I. You can get them from Meijer or Walmart.
I am so so sorry for what I said, Liz. It was mean and cruel. Had one too many, which I know is no excuse, but I feel bad about it, and offer my sincere apologies.
That was nice of you to apologize. Maybe you could delete your comment? We all make mistakes. At least you apologized. Have a nice day.
Wish I knew how ☹️
I don’t know how either. I don’t think she saw these comments anyway. So maybe just learn from this. Don’t beat yourself up about it. Just do better in the future.
Lisa……..you are beautiful, inside and out! Thank you for inspiring us. ?
Liz, not Lisa! ?. Need more coffee!
Love this post so much!! I love the way you explain, balance!!!! Such goodness
Just pray for her. She’s obviously not well in the head and lives a sad life. As for Liz, been following her a long time. She always looks and dresses beautiful.
Liz,
Thank you for sharing your creativity and good spirit. I also enjoy your columns and always get great ideas.
You always take the high road…there is less traffic it
love the light and the shade on it. do you have the source?