Page 91 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2024

jewels on furniture, they accentuate your style.
Books and bookends can make a room look lived in. When we see
a nice book collection, we assume the owner obtained them over time and has probably read each one. Books that used to live in offices and studies now appear in prominent spots in almost every room in the house. Bookends still perform the important function of preserving the integrity of the books they support, but they are also opportunities for high design. They should be weighty and make a strong impression, even if the impression is a whimsical one. Larger coffee table books often have gorgeous covers, becoming instant conversation pieces, but please do not add a book to your home you never intend to browse and enjoy!
Some of our most favorite accessories are jars and boxes because there are so many choices! They come in all sizes, colors, and shapes. You can add florals or greens to a jar or not. Sometimes a jar is more elegant all by itself. Where you decide to place a jar will determine its size and if it needs greenery or other filler. Gorgeous jars can be found in most home furnishings stores but their quality can vary a lot. If
there is a printed design on the jar, take a good look at the quality of the coloration. There are lots of uses for pretty boxes
around the home. They come in a wide variety of materials including wood, bone, and acrylic. They are an excellent way to hide remote control devices and miscellaneous clutter.
Art and sculptural objects are probably the most intimidating accessories to select but they are absolutely the most impactful elements in a room. Traditional art, modern art, alluring sculptural pieces, or beautifully framed family photos tell stories and interpret our lives each in a unique way. On the walls, on tabletops, or in bookcases, art reminds us of places we have been and challenges us to go places we have only dreamed of. There is always room for lots of art in all shapes and sizes.
Every home should have plants and, if you can accommodate one, an indoor tree. Indoor trees can be temperamental, but they are worth it. The height and shape of a tree add artistic details to your space in such a graceful way. If your South Mississippi home is a second residence, there are some fabulous faux plants that are unbelievably realistic. They are not inexpensive, but they are a nice alternative to live plants that will not thrive when you are away. They provide color and will make us feel connected to nature in the same way a living plant does.
One of the hallmarks of a well-designed home is that each room has depth and interest. The rooms seem to draw us in. The furniture is not flat. Eye-catching accessories are layered and coordinated, giving you the sense that each piece was carefully curated and is loved. Like each one of us in the mirror each morning, a well-dressed home makes a statement about who we are. It makes us feel good and comfortable. And that is something Mama would approve of.
Holly Harrison has been a licensed interior designer for over 35 years. Shannon Stage has spent nearly 20 years in the giftware industry.
Together they own Sassy Bird Interiors in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
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