A Stylist's Guide to Table Vignettes
Master the art of grouping meaningful objects together to create head-turning table displays
Tennille Joy Burnup
7 November 2015
Tennille has worked extensively in the UK where she was an interior decorator for Osborne & Little, the world’s leading designers and manufacturers of fabric, wallpaper, and furniture. She spent time as the interior design assistant for Kelly Hoppen Interiors and appeared on the UK television series, 60 Minute Makeover.
Tennille established TJI in 2012 and now bases her team in Melbourne. TJI projects have included the design and installation of interiors for 5-star holiday destinations at Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island, Magnetic Island, and the Mornington Peninsula. In 2014 she was listed in House & Garden magazine’s Little Black Book as one of the best of the best designers and decorators.
Tennille believes in honouring the beauty of everyday rituals. She has the rare ability to delve...
Tennille has worked extensively in the UK where she was an interior decorator for... More
Vignettes are a selection of meaningful objects clustered together in an artful way to create one beautiful group. As a stylist, I curate table vignettes in order to show interesting objects in their best light. They help to encapsulate an inviting atmosphere and to highlight some of the best features in a home.
Whether on a console, coffee table or a mantlepiece, a table vignette can create a powerful element of surprise in the home, trick the eye and cause the viewer to linger. If you have meaningful objects that you love but you don’t know how to display them, here are some of the magic tricks I share with clients.
Whether on a console, coffee table or a mantlepiece, a table vignette can create a powerful element of surprise in the home, trick the eye and cause the viewer to linger. If you have meaningful objects that you love but you don’t know how to display them, here are some of the magic tricks I share with clients.
Think asymmetrically
There’s a science behind styling a table display. Think in asymmetrical triangular shapes. Two lamps the same height either side of an artwork can look contrived. However, one lamp, some smaller objects in between, and a shorter piece on the opposite side, can give a variegated and collected aesthetic.
Be sparing too, especially when an artwork commands attention. The tall lamp on one side of this console table, combined with the a shorter vase of flowers on the other, creates a triangle shape that’s not competing with the main focal point – the artwork.
An ABC of arranging vignettes
There’s a science behind styling a table display. Think in asymmetrical triangular shapes. Two lamps the same height either side of an artwork can look contrived. However, one lamp, some smaller objects in between, and a shorter piece on the opposite side, can give a variegated and collected aesthetic.
Be sparing too, especially when an artwork commands attention. The tall lamp on one side of this console table, combined with the a shorter vase of flowers on the other, creates a triangle shape that’s not competing with the main focal point – the artwork.
An ABC of arranging vignettes
Pull objects together on a tray
A great way of bringing small objects together is to cluster them on a tray, therefore anchoring the vignette. Sometimes less is more, so step back a little to see what needs to be omitted.
This vignette pulls together everyday objects in a warm display: a candle for relaxation atop a book, sentimental curiosities for decoration and greenery and softness from the plant and fabric planter.
A great way of bringing small objects together is to cluster them on a tray, therefore anchoring the vignette. Sometimes less is more, so step back a little to see what needs to be omitted.
This vignette pulls together everyday objects in a warm display: a candle for relaxation atop a book, sentimental curiosities for decoration and greenery and softness from the plant and fabric planter.
Use books as pedestals
Your favourite objects will look fabulous when stacked on your favourite coffee table books. The books allow you to raise the objects to new levels and let you vary the height as you wish.
The above vignette, for example, shows off a large shell (pearl is a great choice for denoting elegance) and a ceramic bowl filled with bright flowers on top of glam fashionista titles. Flowers don’t have to be in a vase, either. Take your cue from this second example – a cute glass cloche holding a single rose bud. Absolutely gorgeous!
TIP: A doily or piece of fabric not only protects the books from a sentimental object like this antique frame, but also adds a deeper decorative element.
Your favourite objects will look fabulous when stacked on your favourite coffee table books. The books allow you to raise the objects to new levels and let you vary the height as you wish.
The above vignette, for example, shows off a large shell (pearl is a great choice for denoting elegance) and a ceramic bowl filled with bright flowers on top of glam fashionista titles. Flowers don’t have to be in a vase, either. Take your cue from this second example – a cute glass cloche holding a single rose bud. Absolutely gorgeous!
TIP: A doily or piece of fabric not only protects the books from a sentimental object like this antique frame, but also adds a deeper decorative element.
Display an open coffee table book
Speaking of books, it’s easy to open a favourite photo-heavy book on a striking image. Continue to change the pages to keep the vignette fresh, and anchor the page down with a decorative stone or an item like an antique hand mirror for effect.
Speaking of books, it’s easy to open a favourite photo-heavy book on a striking image. Continue to change the pages to keep the vignette fresh, and anchor the page down with a decorative stone or an item like an antique hand mirror for effect.
Remember to be sensible about it; less can often be more, and the same goes for vignettes. This is especially true when displaying items on a practical and often busy space, like a bedside table. Leave room for a glass of water or a book by paring back your items. Stick to just three or four calming choices such as a pretty posy, decorative lamp and a small, fun figurine.
What your bedside table says about your style
What your bedside table says about your style
Group vases together
Eclectic combinations created with confidence breathe new life into any space. By adding vases in neutral colours to this display, along with two bright colours in different heights, we have a winning vignette! Think texture, height and colour.
TIP: Hang your artwork at a lower height to make it appear to be part of the display.
Eclectic combinations created with confidence breathe new life into any space. By adding vases in neutral colours to this display, along with two bright colours in different heights, we have a winning vignette! Think texture, height and colour.
TIP: Hang your artwork at a lower height to make it appear to be part of the display.
Pay attention to the height
If there’s an artwork or TV on the wall, a tall vase with flowers or branches will bring an added point of interest, softening the edges and straight lines. Shorter objects to the side show off the scale of the tall vase. This vignette is a perfect example of how to style a cluster of items in height arrangement. Each item is staggered from tall to short in balanced proportion.
TIP: When arranging stems in a vase, make sure that the stems are at least two-thirds taller than the vase.
If there’s an artwork or TV on the wall, a tall vase with flowers or branches will bring an added point of interest, softening the edges and straight lines. Shorter objects to the side show off the scale of the tall vase. This vignette is a perfect example of how to style a cluster of items in height arrangement. Each item is staggered from tall to short in balanced proportion.
TIP: When arranging stems in a vase, make sure that the stems are at least two-thirds taller than the vase.
Greenery is a great addition to your miniature masterpiece, enhancing the senses and adding a sense of calm. Keep an eye out for faux greenery in homeware stores. The quality stems can look so life-like, and they last forever.
Cluster items in a similar hue
Curating your own cluster in a cohesive fashion can be as simple as combining items in the same colour palette. Here a white-on-white display stands out against the backdrop of a soothing artwork. And if you want to turn heads, you can add a pop of bold colour as seen here with the robot figurines.
Curating your own cluster in a cohesive fashion can be as simple as combining items in the same colour palette. Here a white-on-white display stands out against the backdrop of a soothing artwork. And if you want to turn heads, you can add a pop of bold colour as seen here with the robot figurines.
Keep it minimal
The wallpaper, mirror and chandelier are the heroes in this image, because of their large scale. When styling around pieces like these, it’s important to remember the surroundings. The lamp and vase are clear at the base, so they don’t detract from the heroes. Some greenery, a beautiful monotone box and a warm bronze lampshade are enough to pull together the whole vignette.
TELL US
How have you styled your favourite objects? Do you have a table vignette you’d like to show off? Let us know or upload a photo in the Comments section.
MORE
5 Easy Ways to Make a Wall Vignette for Your Home
Vignettes That Spark a Warm, Fuzzy Feeling the Moment You Come Home
9 Tips to Style a Shelf Like a Stylist
The wallpaper, mirror and chandelier are the heroes in this image, because of their large scale. When styling around pieces like these, it’s important to remember the surroundings. The lamp and vase are clear at the base, so they don’t detract from the heroes. Some greenery, a beautiful monotone box and a warm bronze lampshade are enough to pull together the whole vignette.
TELL US
How have you styled your favourite objects? Do you have a table vignette you’d like to show off? Let us know or upload a photo in the Comments section.
MORE
5 Easy Ways to Make a Wall Vignette for Your Home
Vignettes That Spark a Warm, Fuzzy Feeling the Moment You Come Home
9 Tips to Style a Shelf Like a Stylist
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Hello All,
Thanks for your comments. I love them all!
If there's too many items cluttered on a surface, the vignette can become a mess. Always remember positive and negative spacing. Then there will be no problem of 'where do I put my coffee cup'? And speaking of clutter, there's a helpful book on the market called, 'The Life-Change Magic of Tidying Up' by Marie Kondo. The book does tend to state the obvious, however if you can learn at least one thing, then you're winning.
The whole point is to enjoy yourself when styling, not to overthink things and go with your intuition. If all else fails, then hire a stylist!!
One of my favourite things to do on a rainy day is to rearrange my vignettes.
I love to do this on a summers day too - when the sun beams, I beam, Soozmacrae!! That said, a rainy day is great for pottering.