How to Create Captivating Vignettes

By Kristen Cuthbert

Craving a new look in our spaces can be somewhat daunting when we think of the time and money we might need to invest. But when it comes to refreshing your home or office, it does not have to be all or nothing! A complete overhaul of your whole great room would be a dream but you might just need a few little refreshed spaces, here and there, to give your room the fresh pop you’re looking for. 

"Vignettes are a great place to start when you are trying to reinvent your home or office, a little bit at a time."-- Kristen Cuthbert

What is a vignette?

A vignette is defined as a small decorative design or picture, so placed. For example, the decor that sits atop an entry way table. Or the sideboard in your dining room. Or, perhaps on top of your bedroom dresser. Little areas throughout your home that are great opportunities to showcase special-to-you items, mixed with some function, that in turn provide little pockets of pleasing design. Aesthetics can be cultivated in little doses and in turn, provide a big impact on the overall feel of an entire space. 

So, how do you create a vignette?

1）Start with a clear surface that can still be functional if containing items (for instance, not your kitchen counter prep space). 

Think through the necessary functions of that particular space. For instance, is this an entry way table? Maybe you need a place for car keys and the mail that you usually bring in at the end of the day? Is the area a sideboard in a dining room? Perhaps you want to build a vignette that provides some ambiance but still allows for large platters to be set out when entertaining. Maybe you are decorating the end table in your living room and you know you need lighting, a coaster for your drink and a box of tissues at the ready. Great! Now you have a foundation of necessary elements to start with.

2）Next, you’ll want to grab items that have contrasting texture and height. 

Additionally, you’ll need an odd, not an even, amount of them. Typically, when creating an interesting vignette, you do not want to aim for perfect symmetry. The interest is found in the dimension of the items. For example, you could compile something woven like wicker or rattan, a shiny item like a vase and then perhaps a little softer add-in like a plant or floral arrangement. You’ll want all items to be a variety of heights.

3) Lastly, place the tallest item (usually a lamp or floral arrangement) towards the outside of the space. And fill in from there.

Tip: you can pull objects in from the side of the table (they do not always need to push out to the edges). Then, you’ll place the next item a small distance in front and to the side of the tallest item that you place first. Lastly, add in the smallest item in front of the first two, forming somewhat of a triangle. And then you can build out from there if you have more things to add to your vignette!

When styling a long, narrow table, you can still use the rule of thumb where you want varying heights and textures, you just place them in odd groupings from one end of the table to the other. For instance, you can place a lamp on one end of the table, then a stack of books with a small piece of pottery on top and lastly a plant just beyond that. Top it off with a piece of art work that is slightly taller than the lamp leaning up behind it all! Just remember, function is king! Make it work for your lifestyle first and then add in beautiful elements in a variety of height, texture and number and you’ll succeed every time.

*All photographs credit: Kristen Cuthbert

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