My Styling Essentials

Happy New Year! I took a short break from Substack at the end of the year. I’ve been deep in a few projects I’m really excited about, doing some resetting for the year ahead, and escaped somewhere sunny to celebrate my 10-year anniversary over the holidays. I also decided, somewhat randomly, to learn piano. Writing it down means I have to stick with it, right? Plus, I may have ulterior motives. I’ve been looking for an excuse to put a beautiful baby grand in our living room, and learning piano felt like a reasonable justification.

Anyhow, now that I’m back in the thick of work, I thought it’d be fun to talk about one of my favorite parts of any project: styling. It’s something I’m always thinking about even in early phases of a new project.

One of the most satisfying moments in the process is getting to the last phase when the larger pieces are in place and the room starts to take shape, and you get to spend time styling everything out and adding the finishing touches that give a space its personality. This part is always best done in person. Bringing more than you think you’ll need. Trying things in different spots. Moving pieces from room to room. Finding unexpected moments in corners, on shelves, or on surfaces that weren’t originally part of the plan. It’s where a space starts to feel layered, personal, and lived in.

Here are the pieces I always come back to - what I’m always collecting, sourcing, and bringing into homes at the very end of a project, because no space ever feels complete without them.

Small lamps

I don’t know that I’ve yet met a room that has too many lamps. If a room feels flat, it usually needs another lamp. I’m constantly adding small lamps in kitchens, on shelves, on sideboards, anywhere a little extra glow would help. A plug-in sconce is also great to have on hand to prop over a reading chair or bed. Multiple light sources change how a space feels and is one of my favorite elements of a space.

Silver accents

I love using silver to elevate a moment. Bowls, trays, pitchers, small vases…silver-plated pieces with some age and weight to them reflect light beautifully and work in almost any room. Think a silver bowl on a console, a tray on a nightstand, a pitcher on open shelving. They layer in easily and make everything around them feel like they have a fancy friend. They are also readily available at antique shops so fun to hunt for!

Books and book stands

Like lamps, my philosophy with books is that there’s rarely such a thing as too many. They’re one of the most versatile styling pieces and work just about anywhere. I always ask clients what they’re interested in so the books we bring in actually reflect them. In my house, that means a lot of design books I genuinely want to pick up and flip through.

Along with books, a book stand is one of my favorite styling tools. Displaying a book open on a table or console adds height and visual interest and makes it feel like part of the room, not just an accessory.

Pedestals

A pedestal is one of the most useful styling pieces you can bring into a space. Vintage marble, wood, wicker…They’re perfect for corners that need something but not more furniture. A pedestal gives a special object its own moment and makes it feel intentional. Keep a look out on Facebook Marketplace or vintage shops for these.

Vintage accent chairs

I use vintage accent chairs constantly. They’re sculptural, interesting, and incredibly versatile. In a corner, entry, or even acting as a nightstand layered with books or decor. They fill space in a way that feels interesting and intentional.

Vessels

Vases, bowls, and sculptural vessels are pieces I always like to have on hand. They work almost anywhere and don’t always need to hold anything to earn their place. Sometimes the form alone is enough. I’ll use them on shelves, consoles, tables, or in a corner where something simple but sculptural is needed. Having a variety makes it easy to move them around and see what feels right in the moment.

Candles

Obvious, but essential. Candlelight adds warmth and ambiance, especially in the evenings. Scent matters too. It’s part of how a home is experienced. Plus, every photo of a space is improved with a lit candle.

Plateware and glassware

I love styling kitchens and dining spaces with everyday pieces. Plates stacked on open shelves, glasses catching the light in a cabinet, serving pieces that feel elevated but still usable. It makes daily life feel a little more special.

Throws and linen bed covers

Texture makes a space feel comfortable and lived in. A great throw on a sofa or a linen cover layered on a bed softens everything and adds depth without trying too hard. It’s an essential to always have on hand.

Small mirrors and artwork

I love a small mirror in an unexpected corner or leaning small art on a kitchen counter or back of a bookshelf. It keeps things flexible and collected rather than overly styled.

A printed tablecloth

A tablecloth is an easy way to bring in pattern and personality, especially in a more neutral space. It’s low commitment, easy to swap, and can completely change how a room feels.

These are the pieces I’m always collecting, moving around, and bringing into client homes at the very end. They’re the final layer that makes a house feel like a home.

HERE are a few links to some of my favorite sources for finishing touches.