Years ago, as a little girl, when watching my Mama set out
pretty displays of some of her collectibles…or place a vase
of cut Fall flowers on a table with other decorative items –
or even create a beautiful side table with a bowl of ornaments
surrounded by fresh cedar …
– even then…
I had no earthly clue why she did what she did, and to
be honest, my Mama may not have known why she
did what she did either.
But, she knew – and I knew.
She knew when she was satisfied with placing things just so…
a little tweak here and a small adjustment there.
We both knew it was perfect.
Many years later – after I began following blogs and writing
one of my own – I would learn that it had a very pretty
French-sounding name know as a Vignette.
I am taking part in a 5-day Event called
“The Scoop on Creating a Fall Vignette.”
I have chosen my Dining Room side chest for my display, and I
am going to try to explain a little bit of how my design brain works.
Scary, huh? 
There have always been a few basic
rules of thought I keep in mind while creating a display.
While most of what I do is basically instinct –
I do find that I keep repeating some basic qualities.
1) Height and Scale
2) Color
3) Texture
I always start with a clean slate.
The lamp is a staple to the chest, and it also creates
my first reference of Height.
The opposite side of the chest needed something in both
Scale and Height to balance the lamp.
I added a Fall arrangement in a beautiful English Breadbox.
I wanted the arrangement to be slightly more in Scale with
the lamp as far as Height…and that was achieved by simply
adding some taller twigs.
See how the addition of the twigs brings the arrangement more in
line with the lamp? This simple addition has now given the
space the element of Height.
Next, I added Color.
Two transferware plates achieve that beautifully.
The larger plate adds to the general Fall theme, and the smaller
pink plate pulls in the pink from around the room.
You may have heard a lot about the “rule of three” – or arranging
items in an odd number. Here’s a secret… I sometimes break
the “rules.” {shhhhhhhh…..}
But, I have to admit – I generally have that moment of
“now I like that!” when the grouping is an odd number.
Now, its time to concentrate on the center of the chest.
Keep in mind, I am a follower of Mr. Faudre and his
style falls under the “more is more” look.
It’s not for the weak of heart. To some it may come across as
appearing cluttered. But to my eye, I know when it
is just right – and when it’s not.
I have a slight theme going on, as you can see.
If you remember, Mr. Buck stands guard over the Dining Room.
I have tried to create an English-Woodland theme.
{I really do not care for the word “theme.”}
The little stag statue works beautifully with the vignette on
the chest..and also adds some Texture.
Texture can be added in many forms. In the case of the
statue, it adds an iron texture. But, its scale seemed a bit out
off, and looked too small in between the lamp and
the arrangement.
But, by simply elevating this stately fellow up on some
vintage books {and thereby adding even more texture}
it brought the statue more in line and balanced the
element of Scale even further.
The front seemed a little bare to me, but I knew that
adding larger pieces would throw off the look.
A soft, pink velvet pumpkin works perfectly.
It pulls in the element of color, texture and the scale is perfect.
And to complete this Fall setting, I added some small candles.
One could say that the perfect Vignette also consists of a fourth
element….light. Candles add a softness to the overall
affect. This small trio of candles fill in the small space
and do not compete with any of the elements on each side.
I am not sure if I have thoroughly explained how my mind
works when I am putting a Vignette together.
In fact, looking inside my head at all is a rather
scary thought.
But, I do promise if you keep these three main elements in mind…
Scale, Texture and Color…
you can create a Vignette for the Fall or for any season.
Happy Vignetting!
Please make sure you visit the other Blogs for
some fantastic pointers and tips on creating
Vignettes. It is very interesting to learn the styles of
everyone else.
Here is the complete schedule:
Friday Nov 8
Saturday Nov 9
Sunday Nov 10
Monday Nov 11
Stone Gable
Tuesday Nov 12
There are only a few days left of the Lamps Plus
2013 Best Blog. I know you’re really tired of me begging
for votes, but we in the home stretch and I would
greatly appreciate all votes.
Simply visit the Lamps Plus Facebook Page – then click
on the “Best Home Blog Sweepstakes” at the top.
The Everyday Home has been nominated under the
DIY Category. Please vote for me!!!
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Oh Barb, your vignette is so pretty . I love how you do your floral arrangements and you did such a great tutorial. Beautiful. Hugs, Marty
View CommentBeautiful, Barb! I love the deer theme!And your fall mantel is still one of my favorites!…hugs…Debbie
View CommentBarb,
View CommentCan I come move in your guest room? Between the beautiful home you create and your cooking…I’d be in Heaven! What a beautiful vignette you’ve created along with fabulous tips! Happy fall sweet friend! XXOO~ Christy
Very pretty! You have created such an interesting display with so many different elements and textures, yet because you kept the color tones subtle it all works beautifully together~I loved the memories of your Mom, and I agree, you have to “play” and tweak until voila! It looks just right!
View CommentYou do know how much I really “need” that Woodland piece, don’t you! Gorgeous vignette, Barb!
View CommentYour fall arrangement is gorgeous, Barb!! I love the “more is more” concept. That seems to be what I follow.
View CommentMary Alice
Barb, not only did you put together a beautiful vignette… But a great lesson in design too! Love all the layers!
View CommentWell done and I love that breadbox. Swoon.
View CommentYou got it just right, Barb. I love it-great scale , color and design. I’m with you- I have always used books as bases to raine things. I love that look. GREAT job-Charlie would be proud of you! (lol- can you imagine ANYONE calling him Charlie) xo Diana
View CommentScale is everything in decorating and you nailed it 🙂 Your vignette is beautiful.
View CommentAbsolutely lovely, Barb! It’s all so pretty and I adore the container your floral arrangement is in!
View CommentSo lovely Barb! And I love the fireplace vignette the best. I may have to borrow your deer head. 🙂 Love having you as part of the scoop.
View CommentBarb you use my favorite piece, the bread box. Oh how I love that pieces!! So pretty in your dining area. You are my more is moe girl, you did Charles Faudre proud.
View Commentxo Kathysue
This was a very helpful post!
View CommentI love any vignette that has a deer in it or
a woodsy look to it.
Barb, your vignette is absolutely wonderful! Now, you know that I subscribe to the “more is more” approach to decorating…lol! Charles Faudree would be proud. He’s one of my faves, too!
View CommentBarb your vignette is gorgeous!! Love your deer head above the mantle!
View CommentReally pretty Barb! Love Mr. Buck too!
View CommentVery pretty and I love that you shared your thought process and the how to.
View CommentThe lamp in your grouping actually gives you three. The bread box, stag, and pumpkin are three and your candles are a group of three. All in all you have 3 groupings of three for an odd number. I always look at that when I think someones grouping is off. Next is scale and last is movement or varying height. Your vingette is lovely.
View CommentGreat job Barbara! I love how you simplified the process down to three easy elements. Oh, and I love Mr. Buck too! 🙂
View CommentBarb, you definitely have the instinct of getting vignettes “just right,” but I’m so glad you’ve broken it down for the rest of us! Charles Faudre would approve!
View CommentYou are the vignette queen with a scary mind! 🙂
View CommentBarb you nailed it! I just love how you explained your thought process when creating a vignette and yours turned out just beautifully. So fun to be part of this tour with you! 🙂
View CommentVanessa
Barb, you are one of the best vignette creators out there! I love that floral arrangement in the English bread box…it’s beautiful! It’s amazing what we pick up when we are little girls watching our mothers decorate 🙂
View CommentAwwww thanks sweet friend. That is a high compliment indeed coming from YOU. xxoo
View CommentBEAUTIFUL Barb!!
View CommentI love your English Woodland Theme Barb!! Every detail is lovely! It’s been so fun partying with you again! ~ xo Heather
View Comment