HOW I USE EMPTY FRAMES

For me, empty frames are a design element that I use frequently.  I especially like to use large chunky vintage frames with carving or ornamentation.  Chippy gold leaf frames are also sought after.  I use them in my home as well as in my store displays.  Here are some from my home.

This frenchy chest is in a corner of my kitchen.
I layered a matching pair of gold leaf frames over a print.

LAYERED FRAMES IN MY KITCHEN

This sunburst frame probably held a mirror before I found it.
 I rested it onto a print on the settee in my living room.

SUNBURST FRAME ON THE SETTEE IN MY LIVING ROOM

Nothing stays in the same spot at my house.  The frame moved to the foyer.  The horizontal wall stripes peek through the empty center. Which location do you like?

A vintage door can also be used as a frame.  This pair of prints fits into the open space created by the door frame.  It adds some interest in my narrow upstairs hallway.

VINTAGE DOOR USED AS AN EMPTY FRAME

I'm always playing with frames in store displays.  I actually removed the mirror from this frame and layered it over some decorator paper.

LAYERED EMPTY FRAME

An ornate gold frame outlines an otherwise unframed oil on board.

FRAME LAYERED OVER UNFRAMED OIL ON BOARD

I turned a chippy green frame on an angle and put a laurel leaf wreath inside.

WREATH INSIDE MIRROR

This lion head shelf holds some books and jewelry.
It's perfectly framed  inside the ornate vintage gold frame and gives a 3D effect.

LION HEAD SHELF

Small brass frames complete a store display.

OVAL BRASS FRAMES AS PART OF A VIGNETTE

I'm so ready for summer.  This was one of my summer spaces.
I draped a garland of driftwood between two frames.

SUMMER DISPLAY

I loved this store display.  I filled an entire wall with frames and filled them with fun accessories.

Several years ago I was a guest designer @Lucketts Store.  My room was styled as an artist's loft.  Frames played a big part in the design.

MY ROOM @ THE DESIGN HOUSE 

This is another side of the same room.

MY ARTIST'S LOFT @ THE DESIGN HOUSE

So, what is your favorite design element?
Books and empty frames are mine.

SHARING ON A STROLL THRU LIFE

HOW I ACCESSORED A BOHEMIAN DESK

I recently purchased this intricately carved bohemian desk.  

A Chinese Chippendale bamboo chair works next to it.

CARVED BOHEMIAN DESK AND CHINESE CHIPPENDALE BAMBOO CHAIR

The chair cushion is made from a vintage Kantha quilt.  How Anthropologie is that?

KANTHA QUILT CHAIR CUSHION

DETAIL OF KANTHA QUILT CUSHION

Besides the ornate carving, the desk top is bordered with a greek key motif.

GREEK KEY BORDER DETAIL

 I always accessorize with what I have on hand.  This desk was no exception. 

I started with a beaded tray as the base and began to layer vertically.

 Two books with blue spines were the next step for my accessory pyramid.  They support a chippy column base topped with a preserved boxwood sphere.  A ceramic chain link cascades down the side.  Notice the gold leopard trinket tray in front and the sunburst mirror that I used as a back drop.

BEADED TRAY AS A BASE FOR ACCESSORIZING

Books, either vintage or new, but always with unique covers, are my go to accessories.  They always add interest and height.  My latest favorite books are these ones with quotes.  Notice that on either side of the books are some urn bookends.  They were too pretty to turn sideways out of view.  I topped the stack of books with a marble picture frame, and filled another leopard trinket tray with some fun pens.

BOOKS WITH QUOTE, URN BOOKENDS, MARBLE FRAME, LEOPARD TRINKET TRAY, AND FUN PENS

How do you accessorize a space? Do you have a plan in mind? Or, are you random like me and gather seemingly unrelated items to create a cohesive space?   I'd love to know your game plan.

To see a previous post about styling a space with books, go here.

I've written about layering a space before.  Go here to see that post.