Clutter is a problem. It's my problem and it's probably yours too...just guessin'!
In fact, clutter is main cause of Decorating Fails. I've been sharing with you the simple decorating mistakes I see as I visit with clients in their homes: #1 is poor lighting choices, and #2 is furniture scale and placement. Go check those posts out if you missed 'em. It was fun to tackle those two together, wasn't it?
Now, Decorating Mistake #3 is this: Too durn many cluttery decor items...which pretty much defeats any decorating scheme you're aiming for.
There are three solutions for cluttery knick-knacks and collections.
1. Remove them. Have a garage sale or call a dump truck.
2. Store them.
3. Arrange them.
I'm going to focus on arranging "cluttery decor" today because it's so much more fun than the first two, which we all know we need to do anyway. And sometimes, when I start arranging things into a pretty display, it helps me "remove or store" the other clutter joyfully because I'm so jazzed about how the room looks!
One of my favorite tricks is to give tchochskys an anchor.
An anchor can be a piece of fabric, a tray, a plate, a basket, a large book..anything that pulls a bunch of different items into ONE cohesive arrangement.
Below is my coffee table. I've used a simple runner as my anchor to 8 items. Without the anchor, it would look like I threw a bunch of things on it without any forethought. The runner brings everything together and gives me a perameter for my arrangement. I won't set a random knick-knack on there now because it won't "fit" the grouping.
Here, I've used a woven placemat to anchor a vase and lamp. The color and texture "warms" the black side table and glass vase, and makes them work with the rest of the room.
In the photo below, I've used a vintage tablecloth to anchor well, pretty much anything I decide to put on my table. It is a FIGHT to keep junk (mail, purses, keys) off of it, but because I've gone to the trouble to arrange three items from my kitchen, it is worth the effort.
I grabbed a little metal bread plate to put under the loose coffee and creamer in my kitchen. Without the plate, those two things were always running away....now they look like ONE object instead of two, making my counter FEEL less cluttered, even though I actually added an item. It's like magic.
A serving tray works great! A grouping of three things at various heights is perfect.
I love baskets, and use them wherever I can. Wire baskets are my current fave and this one holds some things from my daughters' weddings.
A chicken-wire basket holds several of my paintings in my office. It takes the "messy" out of it and makes it look charming. I've even got an anchor for my anchor: a weathered piece of wood gives it a little more "weight."
Are you getting the idea?
Today's Small Thing is to PLAY with your decorative items that just look cluttery right now....and make an arrangement using an anchor.
This is fun! Move some items to another room (or closet) so can think straight. Now, make an arrangement with what's left by adding an anchor or container. Shop your house to find things with different heights, shapes and textures and see what works together. Stand with your hands on your hips and eyes slightly squinted as you consider the possibilities. Cock your head to one side and purse your lips. Yes, your arrangement is truly INSPIRED.
POINTS: 50 for getting to play with pretties! Your sanctuary should be a reflection of YOU - your things and your interests. Use "just enough" of them at a time so you can truly enjoy seeing them.
I'd love to see pics of your anchored arrangements! You can email them to me (rachelanne @ homesanctuary(dot)com) if you'd like. And leave a comment....are you inspired to take your cluttery decor to a new level? What are you playing with today?
