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You’ve finished a project – all the hard bits anyway. The admin is done, the furniture and fittings are exactly where you want them, and you are at the point where the next milestone is showing the final space to your clients. But there is one more step. A step that will change everything.
Its name is interior styling, an art often overshadowed by its siblings “interior architecture” and “interior design”. Styling’s objective is to bring life and cosiness back to a space. After rigorous design, spaces can feel a little empty or flat, depleted from the charm of people living in them. This styling process can be done through details, e.g. the placement of coffee books, rugs, upholstery, blankets, art, trinkets and heirlooms, or by rearranging furniture to better suit the confines of a room.
When you’re styling a luxury, high-end high-budget kind of space, there is a special je ne sais quoi needed to bring the space together. In this article, we’ll go through 9 ways you can add an extra layer of chic luxeness to everything in sight – without going overboard.
01. Let furniture breathe
The first rule of styling club is you don’t style excessively. Corny but true, part of styling is knowing when to take away elements and work with negative space. Don’t be scared to let your room’s furniture breathe and take the visual space it needs without distractions.
02. Layer opposites
There is something incredibly chic in putting two things together that shouldn’t. It speaks to a sense of humour and charm, which breaks up over stylized designs. Don’t be afraid to have elements purposefully clash – if done tastefully, it will help each element stand out.
03. Bring out your clients’ idiosyncrasies
For a space to feel truly lived in and a reflection of your clients’ wishes, it has to show their little habits and big passions. Try incorporating heirlooms, hobby elements and things they already had before the project to give the home that true, human look. You can’t replicate it, so use the real thing!
04. Show off natural textures
Stone, wood and rougher fabrics give rooms visual interest and a feeling of timeless luxury. You can do this in the styling stage with vases, rugs, and even trompe l'oeil.
05. Highlight art and books
Your clients taste in art and books can be your greatest asset when styling a space. Incorporate them in the design as much as possible to imbue your space with colour and personality.
06. Add metals with sheen and dimension
When interiors are looking a little flat, adding touches of metal or highly reflective materials can be a great way to bring back a 3D vibe. There are millions of ways to incorporate this, including tableside art, lamps, sconces, and framing in tables.
07. Embrace patterns
If you’re lacking that human touch in your design, adding patterned fabric is a great way to bring it back. You can incorporate it in blankets, upholstery, bedding and even lampshades.
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