Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Decorating Tip: Serving your Decor

You may have decorative trays or platters at home that you only use on special occasions. If they’re attractive and you enjoy looking at them, why not unpack them from the cabinet and incorporate them into your décor?


I like to group objects on a silver tray. I usually try to utilize objects of different textures and materials that will play against the light reflected from the tray. Here, I’ve displayed a crystal paperweight and an antique costume sketch. The tray reflects light into the paperweight, making the colors pop. Meanwhile, the sheen of the metal creates an interesting metallic background for the drawing. These sorts of groupings give your objects more weight and impact and help make a tabletop more interesting.

Silver or metal trays work very well for this. Often these trays have intricate engraving or repoussé which add an extra dimension to your grouping. However, you can use a wooden or bamboo tray, a china platter or anything else you find attractive. When you need the tray, just clear off the objects and put it back into service.

Many of us use an ottoman in place of a coffee table.  If you do, you may find that you miss having a surface to rest items--both decorative and practical.  A tray placed neatly on the ottoman can be a great way to display objects and also hold the magazines and remote controls you'd put on a coffee table

We tend to collect things we like. If we enjoy seeing them, let’s use them in our daily lives. Everything has a purpose more than just the obvious one.

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