Seasoned stylists know it's all in the details. A basket of flowers. Just the right painting. Vintage books. A fabulous textile. My absolute favorite styling trick is fresh flowers. Second to that is some authentic art. But who can muster fresh flowers in the dead of winter. Or pick them up at the market for a last minute guest. I've enjoyed fumbling around with the art of papier mache. The activity reminds me of my salad days which was the beginning of this journey- porcelain flower vases and tureens. Meticulously wrapping cardboard with gloppy strips and scheming the infrastructure is so much fun. As with ceramics, gravity is your enemy. I've re[purposed wire, small tree limbs, pods, rosehips and soybean stalks to fashion these sculptures. The results are durable works of art. My first potted primula came out a little wonky but looked super in all the spots I tried in my house.
My subsequent attempts were a mix of successes and near success.
Tucked on a guest room's bedside table like this one, you never have to water it. As I mentioned above, the second most important styling trick is good authentic art. A gestural illustration, something LALA ("looks a lot like art") in an over the top frame or a cherished post card taped to the wall gives character to interior spaces. Check out #masonandpainter on instagram for some great styling.
I always love a ship painting, evocative of worldly travel and adventure. I have some schooner trays I hand painted on my site which have been popular. Recently I tried a clipper ship in paper mache which would be a great touch in both a coastal cottage or city apartment.
Below is a great lamp and textile in one of my favorite vignettes. Interiors need personalization. Art, flowers, sculpture plus a dynamic textile are great for table top settings.
Some great lamps below. Many of our lamps are going fast fyi!
