Featured Opinions on Decorating Aesthetics

Happy New Year all!

I hope everyone in the eastern half of the U.S. is keeping warm and dry!

I have been dissatisfied with the decorating of our 1850s buffet for several months now. After hours of labor yesterday, Ms. G and I came up with this. We came to the conclusion that we really needed some bigger items on this bad boy!

Until now the piece dwarfed everything that was put on it, so we had to up our game and steal stuff from all over the house. What do you think?

 

You're right. Because of the scale of the piece, it needs larger-scaled accessories. Or you can create that impression by massing together
like-colored objects as you've done on the top shelf with pink glass. Pairs will add cohesiveness as the green lusters do. I don't think you need a great many accessories though; you want to enhance, not distract, from the beauty of the piece.

Debora

 

100% Debora! That’s what I’m looking for!

 

I concur with Debora and Happy New Year.

 

I love that clock BUT I really feel like it doesnt look good there. I feel the pieces you do put on there are going to have to be a little gutsy to stand out against that gorgeous buffet . I mean if ever gilded porcelain was needed its now ! The buffet was a statement piece to support lovelies that were statement pieces . Lots of cut glass,porcelains,etc.Of course that could just be my rather eclectic taste rearing its ugly head.

 

Awesome comment, thanks Johnny!

 

I always had the idea that groups of three were more aesthetically balanced than pairs. Do I have that wrong?

 

no...just different look for a different space..

 

Yup...lose the clock..... it's visually disruptive !
and the flower vase/bowl..... lose it as well , in favour of a vase like the ones on the far right..

You can compliment.... or contrast..... but not both..

 

you could put the flowers and glass where the tureen is.... as the height of the colorful flowers breaks up the mass of dark brown.... behind it.

 

I would go for a more balanced approach......

 

I was referring to pairs of likes - two matching candlesticks, two matching vases. But generally, I have always read that groupings should be made up of odd numbers, 3 or 5, for instance.

Debora

 

I'm with everyone else, the clock shouldn't be there. It looks like someone quickly set it down while on the way to it's rightful place.

Do you have any white objects, either milk glass or pottery? They would stand out against the dark wood. So would clear glass. I like the EAPG style piece on the left in the photo, but it doesn't need flowers. I would look for some platters or large decorative plates for the bottom two levels.

I just want to run around my house or go down to the basement and hand you some pieces. Here, try this, now this, now this. Then I'd run over to @TallCakes place and grab a cake stand. You'll just have to keep moving stuff around until you like what you see.

 

It's beautiful but the positioning seems to be a bit wrong. But you are asking people that will never have the chance to consider the option! YOU DA MAN!!!!!!!!! You have amazing furniture pieces - I have no right even telling you what to do! Rock On Ghopper!

 

I agree with the rest; the clock doesn't belong there. She deserves to be the center of attention, and the lusters are dimmed too. I'd go with solid color items, maybe white porcelains too. Or some such. The dark wood swallows everything else.

 

I'm with the others about the clock.
I would strive towards more symmetry, at least a similar height of the items on either side, because the shape of the buffet is symmetrical. That way you get a more harmonious look.

 

I’d put big coloured glass on that. My ludicrous infestation of ruby Whitefriars sits on a mid nineteenth century mahogany sideboard which sets it off beautifully.

 

As others have noted, commanding furniture is tricky to place objects on. I've found the 'less is more' theory tends to work . . . an object (or two) of the era with color. The downside of this is many of your cherished accessories end up without a home! Additionally, sometimes imposing furniture speaks for itself . . . like these pieces.

 

Below are some arrangements I've made based on the suggestions in this thread. I think they look pretty good. I moved a pair of Deco dolphin bronze and crystal vases to each end of the buffet, and placed the cut glass vase on the second shelf. I do think it needs more color though.

I also moved the Ansonia clock to the nearby hall tree. It looks good there, but it's a bit too dark.

Thanks to everyone for their constructive criticism!

 

Happy New Year Ghopper and Mrs G.!
Keep on moving things till you have the most satisfying feeling for your display... evidence will pop out!