Falls Design: Styling Part 2 of 5: How to style a tabletop

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Styling Part 2 of 5: How to style a tabletop

I think one of the easiest ways to learn and grow comfortable with design is to look at as many images as you can. Train your eye to see what you like and why you like it!

Styling is something I've been trying to focus more on lately. I don't know if it's because I'm lovin the new HGTV show Secrets from a Stylist...or because I have realized a lot of what makes a room sing is the styling.

I think it helps to find photos of spaces you are drawn to...and then really inspect how the room is styled. What makes you love it so much? If you look closely, I'm guessing you will see a lot of the tips below used to create the spaces you love.

So let's get into how to style a tabletop.

Celebrity Designer Nate Berkus' tips for styling a tabletop:

After paint, furniture, and carpet, the last and most important step is to accessorize. Here's how to start.
On your dresser, use two lamps for balance and symmetry.
Don't display your lotions and creams on the dresser. If you need to store something, keep it in an attractive box or basket.
Use candles within a reflective glass. It casts a romantic glow.

Other tips include:

Hang a large mirror over the dresser. Lean smaller photos or other works of art against the mirror. This creates a visually interesting, layered look.
Set a bouquet of flowers in front of the mirror. The reflection will make them look twice as large. Adding flowers or a plant adds beauty and life to the bedroom.
Stack some books on the dresser. Remove the jackets and face the bindings inward to create a neutral palate and to add texture to the smooth dresser top.
Add a bit of sparkle to the bedroom dresser by including some silver accessories such as a small silver jewelry box, cup or even a mirror and brush set.

Here are some styled spaces that I love...look closely at the details!