Basics for Building a Tabletop Vignette

Although I haven't been changing things up around here too much lately, boredom has set in big time, and I needed something fresh to look at here in the Living Room. Each time I think of putting together a vignette or grouping I panic. Good Grief, where do I start? Then I spend a lot of time hunting down and trying things, moving stuff around, then discarding them; generally wasting my time. Decor books and magazines help, but even then I'm sometimes left without an idea of where to start.

I LOVE doing seasonal vignettes, but no matter if I'm decorating for a specific Holiday or Season, or just something basic, I've learned some foundational "building blocks" that make it pretty simple to put together an "Easy Change" Tabletop Vignette.

If you are decorating a smallish tabletop space the first thing I try to keep in mind is not getting too many "littles" and spreading them all around. All that does is make it look messy and cluttered. It's easy for me to do that, so I like having a tray for a base to keep me corralled.

I wanted to do a white/neutral look, so I started with a white painted wooden tray and a couple of old boxes. I collect old wooden boxes (one on the bottom), but the top one is a vintage wooden cigar box, that I painted white. These gave me a good start on adding some height for my "anchor piece". Then to stack some books and top it with a chalk "pineapple" piece.

 You can see that I'm experimenting as I go with different books and objects.

I ended up with two neutral books and the boxes for the base...

I like to use the concept of working with odd numbers for a vignette. In this small space I'm just doing 3 main elements. You need one of the elements to be taller to balance things out with some height and "heft", and it should be toward the back of the tray. I knew I wanted to use one of my sheep for my second mid-size piece, but thought I'd try a couple of different third elements to see what I liked best. This is a small vintage ironstone pitcher that I've been rooting some ivy in, but decided to try a candle instead.

Try to use different textures and shapes too, especially if you're doing an all white or neutral grouping. All wood, or all glass elements would have been visually less interesting.

You could keep your larger main stacked element through the seasons and change out the two smaller elements, in this case the sheep figure and the candle. Early Spring could be a Rabbit and a Nest; for Fall you could use a Pumpkin and some Bittersweet with a Squirrel instead of a Lamb. There are lot's of ways to change up a basic vignette without having to start completely over. (I know you all know this, but I keep having to remind myself of these basic concepts.)

So here is my basic "easy change " vignette in a tray...

 The larger lamp grounds the whole area.

 Having some draperies would help with the background, 

but I'm still working on that major decision...

We all have our own little ways of reminding ourselves how to decorate certain areas. I think my biggest problem is with grouping and "editing". I tend to try to get too much in the space. I think that's from having a shop space, and if you have, you know we tend to want to get as much product out as we can. So with me it's an ongoing mindset I'm having to retrain. This is just a little "help" that saves me time and usually ends up with a pretty easy fix. 

My CTO Heart Procedure is next week...it can't get here fast enough! thanks for all the sweet and positive thoughts, comments and prayers! 

xoxo,

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