Before we moved to France, I was a regional editor for Better Homes & Gardens and Traditional Home. My job was finding story locations, styling the shots for the photographer, and often writing the story, and I still work for them part-time.
And once again, those cultural differences pop up! If you’ve even looked at a French home magazine, then you have probably wondered why they didn’t bother to tidy up before they shot the photos. You’ll see books strewn around the floor, stacks of papers left around, maybe a half eaten meal. But yes, they really did have a stylist for that photoshoot—they just prefer the natural, lived-in look. I once did a shoot here at the home of a French celebrity, who had her personal hair stylist and make-up artist on site. And I swear when they finished she emerged for her photo with torn jeans, messy hair, and no make-up, like she just climbed out of bed and was ducking out to the boulangerie. Go figure!
Today I’m going to share my professional styling tips with you. If you want to fluff up your decor a bit without spending a penny, then do what we do on a photoshoot: prop ‘til you drop! Here are some things I’ve learned about styling a house for a magazine, that you can use chez vous. It’s also a great thing to do if you’re selling a house and you want your decor to have broad appeal. I’ve chosen photo examples from French country decor on the bhg.com web site.
Rule number one! Less is more. Edit. Edit again. De-clutter and keep it simple. The most common styling we do is to take stuff OUT of the shot, not add to it! Clean lines have been a strong design trend over the past few years, and a room that’s too fussy looks dated. Try taking all the accessories out of a room, then put back in just what’s necessary.
Take photos. When I was in training to be a stylist, the design editor of Traditional Home told me that “Some designers just know how to decorate for the camera.” And if the camera loves it, so will you. You too can learn this; take overall photos of your room, to get the "big picture", then tighter photos of vignettes around the room. Study them. They will teach you a lot.
Big scale is generally better, when it comes to accessories. Fewer, larger, better is a good rule. Collections of small objects can work, but group them together for impact and unity–on a mantle, or a bookshelf. Instead of hanging a lot of small artwork, you can take the same pieces and put them in frames with large mats, for more impact.
Consider symmetry. Some symmetry in a room is pleasing to the eye, but too much is boring and rigid. It’s nice to have an area that's symmetrical—like matching lamps on a buffet—and an area that isn’t, like a tabletop grouping of diverse objects. In general for asymetrical groupings arrange objects in odd numbers, usually in three’s. Varied heights are good too—use books or small stands to get objects up higher.
Contrast and textures are pleasing. Sleek modern accessories with old, crusty pieces for example. Or mix textures, or put soft surfaces with hard surfaces, or shiny ones with dull or distressed ones.
Prop your bookshelves. When I go to shoot a house and they have open bookshelves, my heart sinks. Almost invariably I will have to spend hours rearranging them. Open shelves, especially with books, can warm up a room and add interest, or they can make it hopelessly busy and cluttered. Arrange your books in an orderly fashion, mix a few accessories with them to break them up, and you’ll be amazed at the impact.
House plants on a tabletop in a pretty container are fresh, welcoming, and easy on the budget. They can add contrast, texture, and color and I never go to a shoot without them. But house plants should be lush, overflowing. Lose the half-dead ivy!
A vase of flowers can work miracles in most any house. Flowers should suit the style of the house. They can add color in a neutral room or they can calm a bold one.
Hang pictures low. Art can be anchored with something underneath (a chest, a chair), and hung just inches above it, even sitting on top of a chest or table. If the pieces aren't anchored, consider stacking a collection of them in a column.
Think creatively, and repurpose. When we’re in the midst of a busy shoot and we need an accessory quickly, there’s no time to go shopping. You’ll find me poking around in cabinets, kitchens, and the garden to find a container, basket, or artwork that can be used in a new, unexpected way.
My last rule is every stylist's mantra: When In Doubt, Take It Out!
Photos: At top, a loose suggestion of symmetry gives a casual feel. House plants add softness, artwork is stacked and hung low. A section from a wrought iron gate is repurposed and placed in an unexpected spot,as a focal point (photo by Gordon Beall). In the kitchen shot, note the smooth and rough textures, the oversized pot of flowers, and the table that anchors the mirror. The bedroom shot is pared down to beautiful essentials. The living room with red chairs has a lot going on, but here the symmetry, restricted color scheme, and the neatly arranged bookshelves keep it from looking cluttered. Photos courtesy of Meredith publishing.
And now dear readers, what styling tips do you have to share with us?
By the way, you can subscribe to various design slide shows (free, by email) at bhg.com and at Traditional Home, as I do. Great for training the design eye!
14 thoughts on “We Be Stylin’”
I’ve saved this to my house file in Evernote. We’ll be doing massive renovations next year and I think when its done I’m going to do some re-styling (although I’ll keep the Arts&Craft vibe to the 1920’s house). However, I’m also contemplating what to do with our apartment in France. I had visions of filling a place with French antiques, but we bought all the furniture in it. The style is very sleek, modern, and a bit too white. A step up from IKEA. I’ve finally come to appreciate the starkness of the decor, so I’m not as quick to change it all (except for the over-sized coffee table I keep knocking my shin on). My husband likes the modern style. I’m going to show him your guide to style, however, to help him understand what I mean when I say I need to swap out some of these modern things for one or two pieces of furniture with some texture. And by the way, half my suitcase on my last trip had books so I could start filling up the shelves I was blessed with. As for plants, since I’m not there all year, I think I’m going to learn how to make a terrarium to put on the mantle.
Great tips, Lynn! I will keep this in mind, as I do my fall cleaning…edit, edit, edit will be my mantra ! Thanks for the great post.
Hi Lynn, Ali and I were just talking yesterday about some of these tips you have listed. I love your tip about taking photos and studying them. I will get my camera out tomorrow to do just that.
We just finished our bath remodel using a mirror designed by Rudy and Ellen’s company. It now needs the finishing details. One of my design tips is to only buy what you absolutely love. Don’t buy it if you think “it will do”. Thanks for passing along some great ideas. Connie
Great idea to take a photo to get the “big picture” perspective – sometimes I get to involved in the individual items and forget to see how they fit overall – merci!
Funny…that is the way I paint. I always start with a lot more in the painting than I end up with. And I photograph it at the end of each session, to get a perspective on what I’ve done and to keep a record of progress!
Terrific tips!! In the midst of going through my home one room at a time this year. I have a wall of open bookshelves! Arranged my books by topic, with vignettes scattered throughout. Wondering if it might be better to arrange books by size, to have more visual appeal? (What would Lynn do?!) Love the help, ideas and pics!!
I think I’ve learned from the experience of selling my homes before moving. After viewing hundreds of homes here in the Phoenix area, many people clutter up their homes with stuff. It’s drives me nuts to see that online as well as in person. It could make or break a showing and much less a sale, in my opinion. I’ve always staged my homes myself & I do edit it to pieces. I’m reminded here to keep editing just in everyday life. Thanks for the wonderful post.
I have noticed that many people hang their artwork too high.
I can’t help but notice it all the time. I was taught that it should at the very least be EYE LEVEL. After all, what is art for? Viewing!
These days I often ask myself….do my rooms look too old fashioned? You know, as if one’s granny lives here. My adult children like the way their home looks but they like the familiar, as most children do.
I am tired of too much stuff. Stuff becomes a burden. I am trying to give away things to the kids now, rather than leave it for them to have to do it sometime in the (I hope) very distant future!
Great blog edition, Lynn! It could be the outline for a new e-book?
You’ll never see my home in a magazine but it suits me. Lotsa books everywhere no matter how many I “rehome” but tant pis! I call it “comfortable” 😉
Lynn,thank you for this wonderfuuly informative post!
We really appreciate you sharing your expertise and tips with us.
I learned a lot,though confess that I pretty much flunked everything outside of bpokcases and hanging paintings and photographs.(sigh)
A big problem is getting rid of stuff and I definitely need to be more hard hearted in this endeavor.Every item has a memory attatched!
At least no guest will doubt who lives here! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your styling expertise, Lynn. Lots of helpful suggestions. Keeping it simple is always best for me. Your ‘When in doubt, take it out’ rule says it all!
Great post! I will be sharing with Shirley and our two daughters who love to style rooms. Lots of great tips. Thanks for sharing your expertise.
Excellent tips to style rooms. Thanks a lot for your ideas.