Shelf Life...

A question I hear often: "How do I arrange my shelves?"

Here's the inside scoop without any consultation fees. Start by taking inventory of your items. Pull every single accessory item out of the room and, "stage," them so you can easily shop your own items.

You can't go wrong with 80% of your display as hardcover books.

Not a literary genius? Scour second hand stores or your local Good Will. No ones needs to know you didn't read War and Peace. Consider stacking them vertically, horizontally or separate them by color.
One of my favorite designer tricks... Visit the neighborhood stationary store, paper store or Paper Source online and invest in a bundle of couture paper or wrapping paper (sans the sheen). Do as you did in the 3rd grade and create your own book covers. An easy, simple and inexpensive way to add color and interest to your display.

If a punch of color isn't your cup of tea create a look equally as interesting with items from the same color palette.
Mix in framed art or photographs. Don't be afraid to layer them atop one another. Perfection is boring. Think designed without looking decorator-ey (it's a word, I swear).
Look no little, ditsy accessories! Think of the shelf as a composition, not a retail display. I love the series of red vases standing at attention side by side.

Do as you do in fashion... Layer, layer, layer. Stack books behind frames. Perch frames on top of the books. Not perfect, but not messy either.

I LOVE a piece of art hung on the face frame OR hang a piece to completely cover one cubbie. Feel free to hide all your skeletons and junk behind this new, "designer door."
Make sure you incorporate new items with old, an antique vase with a lacquered box. Be critical. Stand back, look at the composition as a whole, and edit as necessary. Then take a picture and email me-I'd love to see what you're up to!

Best,

Brooke Voss

brookevossdesign.com

Clear Vision...

Fact: Designers love lucite. Dare I say one clear piece = room makeover?

See through and see to it that you add one piece to your home's portfolio of fabulous objects. Maybe a small piece like this stool which doubles as a magazine rack...

Or a twist to a clean-lined, transitional sofa...


Perhaps it's an end table flanking the side of your favorite lounge chair or a small scale night stand...

Fable: Lucite is reserved for occasional chairs and tables.

Imagine how incredible this queen size headboard would be layered on a wall adorned with a great wall covering or upholstered walls...

Fact: Every dwelling needs just one piece incorporating lucite.

I happen to have the Kartell ghost chair, perched in a corner of my bedroom. The ghost adds a place to perch without consuming space visually.

If my office was this tidy an acrylic desk would top my list of must haves.

A boudoir chair. A romantic addition to your makeup counter. Big design impact without any bulk. Take a risk with a fun pattern or printed fabric.

At the foot of your bed. Functional, yet glamorous.

Fable: Acrylic is hard to incorporate with antiques and traditional furnishings. It's reserved for contemporary design.

Fact: Acrylic is to the home as blue jeans are to the wardrobe... Completely interchangeable and always fashionable.

Shed a little light (and just the right amount of sparkle) on any situation.

Above all, have fun!

Best,