How I Layer

It's our first Fall tag sale and I'm all about layering this month.  

Whenever we hear layering, fashion and accessorizing comes to mind.  After all, Fall fashion is about layering. Did you know though that layering works with design and display too?  In design, layering is the conscious effort of stacking design elements upon design elements.  The result is a unique space that has texture, depth, interest, and richness.  You can layer with decorative elements as well as with color, texture, pattern, shapes, or style.  

In this first image, the Dorothy Draper style dresser sets the tone and the style for this grouping.  Stacked books are one of my favorite ways to layer as is the repetition of black and white.  Did you notice that I layered the dog with some pearls.

Have you ever layered a mirror over a bookshelf?  This adds depth, interest and uniqueness.
I've layered a mirror over a window too.  You can substitute a piece of artwork for the mirror and hang it over your bookshelf or window as well.

Here is a close up of the two sides of the bookshelf.  If you don't already know, I'm obsessed with jewelry.  Draping necklaces and bracelets over books and objects is layering too.

Here's a view of one section of my space.  Can you spot the layering?
Hint:  texture, color, pattern, style mix.

Did you notice the patterned throw and pillow layered over the linen on the bench and the laurel wreath stacked onto both of them?

I added depth by layering the olive jars and additional depth and texture with the chippy wall sconce and the crinkled canvas wall art as a back drop.  There's also a mix of wood--the dough bowl and the bread boards--- as well as a mix of metal---the mirrors.

What about the sunburst mirror layered on the oversized book? The texture of the furniture piece and on the gold books?  The pattern in the pillows?

In this next grouping there's a mix of pattern and materials.

Notice the mix of glass and metal and some vertical layering.  On the bottom a coverless book adds texture.  Stacked onto it is another book, a crown under the demi-john, and a necklace wrapped around the bottle's neck to top it off.  The picture frame is layered in front of the demi-john.

You can achieve depth by placing decorative objects in front of each other.  First the bottles in the crate, then the framed print behind them, and the sheep weathervane peeking from behind it all.   I've also added interest by only showing partial sections of the objects.  Did you notice the hint of wooden arrows between the bottle crates?  What about the texture of the table apron?

Can you spot the pair of twin beds nestled within the horizontal layering?
The throw, the canvas wall art, the print, clock, and the baskets add depth and interest.

How do you layer in your home?
What do you add to your home design to add interest and uniqueness?


I hope to see everyone at our sale is weekend.
Please stop by our website to see what my partners have too.
Link:  Buckeystown Design Co-op