Shelf Styling
Four tips for bringing life into your space, inspired by Carl Hansen
A few of our wares were recently styled by Pernille Vest and Henriette Schou for Carl Hansen at a beautiful home in Madrid. When I got the photos back, I was taken aback at how beautiful they were! I was so inspired to see the space they styled with our pieces.
And it got me thinking about my favorite tips for styling shelves, both at home and on location for a shoot. So here we go!
Step I: Start with Books
If I’m styling a shoot, typically I’m just working with my own products, but if I’m at home, books always come first. I aim to group similar color tones together, with the larger ones on the bottom and smaller ones on top (assuming you are laying them flat and not standing up).
One book grouping per shelf is a good place to start, but if you’re a book junkie like I am, you may have more piles than that. Spread them out if possible, aiming for no more than two piles per shelf.
Books are not just beautiful objects. They educate, spark conversation, and often serve as souvenirs from trips. On a recent visit to Stockholm, I picked up a Mies van der Rohe book whose cover features one of my favorite places in Barcelona, , the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion and I had to bring it home because it felt like a little piece of both cities in one.
Step II: Add in Vessels and Vases
Next, I like add in some vertical intrigue, often in the form of a taller vase, a pitcher, or bud vases. You can set smaller ones on top of a book pile and larger ones beside them.
If you happen to have room for something really sturdy like this, you can use it as a book end and stack your piles vertically.
I typically put a bowl front and center. My favorite is the Travertine Marble Bowl, but if you have room for something like this, go for it. It is the perfect spot for small mementos, matchbooks from travels, remotes, or spare even reading glasses.
Step III: Adorn with Personal Touches
One thing that can sometimes get lost in a professional styling process is the feeling of you. In order to avoid that, add in some personal touches like family photos, heirlooms, etc.
Right now, there’s a bowl of lucky rocks sitting behind me, collected over the years. It’s a reminder that the things on your shelves should actually mean something to you. Every time I look at them, I think about my mom and grandma, the best rock collectors I know, and how my dad would bring my mom a lucky rock from his walks. A tiny rock valentine.
Step IV: Decorate!
Arguably the most fun part of this process if the final step, decorating! Now’s your chance to add in some florals, your favorite candle, incense, a small plant, etc.
Try not to overdo it, less is often more here, but it is a great way to bring life into your space. A few favorites I go towards time after time is seasonal branches, bud vases with a single bloom, and variegated begonia plants. I really adore their leaves.
And there! When you are finished, pause and enjoy it. The little details you chose are what make the space yours.
Love,
Devon