Stairwells

Like its hallways, a home's stairwell is often treated as an afterthought. Because we don't congregate on the stairs, but rather pass through them on our way to somewhere else, it's not unusual for them to be ignored when decorating plans are being made. But even a small pass-through space can become a vision for the eyes. Decorative tiles, elegant carpeting, paint effects and art are all very effective in these small spaces. They retrain us to notice the humbler spaces in our homes and they prove that a little bit of effort can have a big visual impact. There's no reason the path to bed each night can't be an inspiring one.

Images: Lonny magazine, May 2012 issue. Canadian House & Home magazine, November 2010 issue. British Homes & Gardens magazine, November 2010 issue. Driven by Decor. Apartment Therapy. Houzz.

Boho Chic

Partly made up of world market treasures and partly made up of flea-market finds, boho chic is all about layers of textiles, colors and collections. The opposite of minimalism, boho chic almost invites messiness. A few trademarks of the style: piles of cushions, overlapping rugs, walls covered in art or photos, and furnishings with character (read imperfections). Ultimately, boho style is collected over time. Though an approximation of the style can be achieved overnight, it won't have real character until it has been lived in for a while. A boho space will often have pieces that don't naturally make sense together. But the look is enhanced by the differences. Even the ugliest little piece of furniture will shine in a bohemian room. What's not to love about a style that welcomes rejects?

Images: The Comforts of Home by Caroline Clifton-Mogg, published by Ryland, Peters & Small. Recycled Home by Mark & Sally Bailey, photography by Debi Treloar, published by Ryland, Peters & Small. This Free Bird. My Favorite and My Best. WeHeartIt. Apartment Therapy.

Plate Walls

The appeal of a plate wall is obvious. It brings decorative dishes out of hiding while filling a large space that might be expensive to cover with actual art. For those who love a particular style of dish, such as the ironstone plates in the first image, a plate wall makes a feature out of a cherished collection. Even a narrow wall seems suddenly interesting when a cluster of plates is strategically arranged on it. In a room that already has a lot of interest, plates of a single color do the trick without overwhelming the senses. While in a paired-down space, a grouping of patterned plates contributes color. I especially love the plates that form the unorthodox canvas for an oil painting while framing the new work.

Images: ReadyMade. Nesting Place. Mmmcrafts. Decor Pad. SF Girl by Bay. Down and Out Chic.

Art Clusters

I've recently had several customers come into my shop asking for advice about adding interest to a blank wall. The possibilities are endless: a piece of architectural salvage like a window or vintage sign, a ladder turned on its side and used as a bookshelf, or a grouping of one item such as straw hats or wooden tools. And then there are art clusters -- a combo of art, framed or not, and unusual objects that is very often hung in a slightly random way. There are no real rules to these clusters other than that the whole should be visually appealing. With the above cluster currently in my shop, I began by grouping items together on a large surface to determine placement before I made holes in the wall. It doesn't matter if picture frames don't match, as long as there's something unifying about the pieces. In this case, the unifying factors are natural wood and hints of pink and pale gray/green. Because art clusters often include items that don't normally hang on a wall, they welcome a conversation about what really constitutes art -- one that has been debated for generations and will never be settled.

Images: RevivalSmith. The New Victorian Ruralist. Down and Out Chic. From the Right Bank. Made by Girl. Design Sponge.