Artwork & Accessories

Accessories should reflect your interests and, ideally, should be acquired over time to eliminate that "hotel suite" look.

Rich silver candlesticks and a damask tablecloth create a richness in this Dining Room that wouldn't
exist without these small details.

Dining Room Accessories

How To Hang Artwork

This has always been difficult for people, because there are no rules, all artwork is a different size and it depends on whether the artwork has furniture underneath it or no. In order to successfully hang art, use your sense of balance and proportion. It is best to follow the "rules of thumb below" and then just follow your gut feeling.

Groupings of Accessories

Typically groupings look best if you stick with odd numbers: 3, 5, or 7. You should also vary the heights, for instance if you are doing a grouping of candlesticks, you will want to have varying heights of possibly 3, 5 or 7 together in one group.

If you are arranging a grouping of your plate collection on the wall, do not line them up at the same height. Vary the height and placement to create interest and keep the eye moving.

Balance: Symmetrical or Asymmetrical

In the rules of design, there are two types of balance - Symmetrical or Asymmetrical. You have to trust your eye when designing to decide which balance is needed. On a buffet table, if you use a buffet lamp of equal height on each side, you are creating a symmetrical balance. If you use one lamp on one side of the table, you are creating an asymmetrical balance. In general, symmetrical tends to be more formal and asymmetrical is more casual.