Accessorize!

Whenever you have a great outfit, you make it even better by putting on your favorite necklace, or earrings, a funky ring, or fabulous belt - you accessorize! And so it is with your home - a room is not finished until you add that sparkle and personality that comes through your art and accessories. Whether it's something simple like a lovely candle holder, or an amazing piece of art, or a whole collection of items carefully choreographed on your table top or shelf. What ads dimension and depth to any living space are the various items that tell a story about who you are, where you've been and what you love. A bookshelf full of books may tell me what someone likes to think about and read, but a styled bookshelf - one that is a combination of books, pictures, objects, and even space - is a story unto itself.

Specializing in textiles, Simrin, Inc. is a company that combines color, nature, beauty and history in its patterns inspired by vintage fabrics. All made with 100% cotton and eco-friendly dyes, their products are a fantastic addition to any kitchen or dining area. Luckily - their product lines include a whole slew of wonderful items to mix and match, including all your various table linens, glassware and even laminated fabric trays. Check out this brightly colored pair of place mats and napkins. Add the bright and bold Cool Aid pitcher from Branch Home, and you've got a table top that looks inviting and ads dimension to your eating area.

I absolutely love the patters and colors of Simrin's fabric laminated trays below - and because they're so fun and funky, you can even hang them up on the wall! These are a perfect way to spice up your kitchen, store your trays, and have something great to serve your guests with!


Art is an important part of making a space feel like home, and adding color and an unexpected element to your design - but don't forget about pictures too! These wonderful picture frames from Organic Rush are a little work of art themselves - the soft, neutral sea-side palettes would give anything inside these frames a cottage-y air. And if you don't want to put a picture of people, why not a beautiful flower or landscape you photographed? It is a way to give importance to something that already has meaning for you and that you would want to display.

And you can carry the fun and cheer with something as simple as pillows - adding color throughout your room without the commitment of paint or the fabric of your furniture. I like the youthful vibe of these turquoise pillows from Natural Territory. They're so fun - and the strong color would look fabulous with any scheme - white, brown, other blues, grays, you name it!

And don't forget the wonderful and living decorations - plants. This streamlined and contemporary planter from Gus is a great option for a long, wood dining table - imagine this atop a rich walnut table - the contrast of the metal, the green and the chocolate stain would be gorgeous.

And don't forget the outdoors either - check out these fun items from Gaiam (lanterns), Viva Terra (Buddha), and Are Naturals (Hummingbird Bird Feeder).

Sometimes having functional pieces that are really just to act as a sculptural element is another great way to accessorize. These great rush drum stools from Gaiam can be an extra table when needed, but are also a great way to add a little color, or a staging area for a nice set of books or tchochkes.

And don't forget that your nightstand deserves just as much attention as any other surface in your home - use a gorgeous lamp from Gaiam and a nice sculptural piece like this glass water bottle and cup from Are Naturals (tres useful too if you're thirsty in the middle of the night).

And of course - there are those special, one of a kind, collector's pieces that are just so beautiful they alone add an element of design to your space. Sometimes paying attention to 'another man's trash' is exactly where you'll find your treasures. Look at these beautiful antique pieces all from 1st Dibs.

This 1950s Mexican tea set is absolutely gorgeous with the mosaic handles - this alone atop your dining room buffet would jazz up the room immediately!

And what about a little history, culture and zen? These old stone windows now mounted are stands are both interesting and stunning - as is the carved Buddha - and each of these would function perfectly as a stand alone piece somewhere in your home you may not have even been able to use otherwise.

And for eye level, why not an intricate and antique piece of coral - all the beauty, none of the destruction of a coral reef because it's an antique. Or this beautifully embroidered wool pillow? Fabulous!

And I saved the best for last - this butterfly wall sculpture is absolutely stunning - a perfect piece to add some wow to any space.