Alphabetical Order: An ABC of Arranging Vignettes
Learn how to make captivating displays with some of your favourite belongings
Janet Dunn
10 October 2014
Houzz Australia Contributor. Former NZ House&Garden writer and stylist, and avid interior design enthusiast. Ex-restaurateur and caterer, with a Professional Certificate in Gastronomy, University of Adelaide.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Former NZ House&Garden writer and stylist, and avid... More
In the world of interior design, a vignette is a small, pleasing picture formed by grouping several objects – think of it as a pocket-sized table arrangement that tells a story about you and your home. A vignette is used to meld a variety of items together into a harmonious tableau, rather than showing off a large collection of similar articles, for example clocks or toys, which would require a different display strategy.
Vignettes can easily be reinvented to suit your whims – a change of season, a new find, a gift or a special occasion are all good reasons to refashion your mini displays. There’s a knack to making these small scenes look effortlessly composed and eye-catching. So take a look at how to build delightful vignette worlds with this easy ABC.
Vignettes can easily be reinvented to suit your whims – a change of season, a new find, a gift or a special occasion are all good reasons to refashion your mini displays. There’s a knack to making these small scenes look effortlessly composed and eye-catching. So take a look at how to build delightful vignette worlds with this easy ABC.
A IS FOR…
Anchor
Choose an item as the centre of interest, the ‘hero’ of your vignette. Pick something you love to see every day and that expresses your personality and that of your home. It will be the first point on which the viewer’s eye rests.
A very small ‘hero’ will be swamped by other objects in the group, so choose a statement piece with visual weight and height, like this dramatic starburst mirror.
Anchor
Choose an item as the centre of interest, the ‘hero’ of your vignette. Pick something you love to see every day and that expresses your personality and that of your home. It will be the first point on which the viewer’s eye rests.
A very small ‘hero’ will be swamped by other objects in the group, so choose a statement piece with visual weight and height, like this dramatic starburst mirror.
The anchor may also be a mini-group of similar things. These three vivid orange vases instantly capture attention.
AND…
An ‘A’ formation
Assemble your pieces and then superimpose an imaginary ‘A’ or triangle over them. Use this visual structure to prevent a long ‘skyline’ effect, which scatters focus, and to carry interest around the frame. Positioning the shortest objects towards the outer edges helps form your ‘A’ shape.
An ‘A’ formation
Assemble your pieces and then superimpose an imaginary ‘A’ or triangle over them. Use this visual structure to prevent a long ‘skyline’ effect, which scatters focus, and to carry interest around the frame. Positioning the shortest objects towards the outer edges helps form your ‘A’ shape.
Despite breaking the ‘A’ rule, linear arrangements can work beautifully if there is a strong relationship between the objects and some contrast.
The serpentine curves of the women in these photographs are duplicated in the central sculpture and contrast with the precise angles of the frames, while heights differ and black and white carries throughout.
The serpentine curves of the women in these photographs are duplicated in the central sculpture and contrast with the precise angles of the frames, while heights differ and black and white carries throughout.
AND…
Asymmetry
Sorry, all you neatness nuts, you may have to loosen up. Pigeon pairs placed symmetrically give the impression of an altar and can look very stilted and formal. We want the opposite: an unstudied gathering (only you know you have been to ABC vignette class!) that moves the eye around the articles. Deconstruct a too-tight structure by moving a pair closer together or taking one of them away.
This arrangement avoids the symmetry trap through the use of two paintings above the sideboard that, although similar in style, are still different. Underneath, smaller pieces have been placed at differing heights – three clear jars varying in size at one end and a lower stylish dish at the other.
Asymmetry
Sorry, all you neatness nuts, you may have to loosen up. Pigeon pairs placed symmetrically give the impression of an altar and can look very stilted and formal. We want the opposite: an unstudied gathering (only you know you have been to ABC vignette class!) that moves the eye around the articles. Deconstruct a too-tight structure by moving a pair closer together or taking one of them away.
This arrangement avoids the symmetry trap through the use of two paintings above the sideboard that, although similar in style, are still different. Underneath, smaller pieces have been placed at differing heights – three clear jars varying in size at one end and a lower stylish dish at the other.
B IS FOR…
Background
Your display’s backdrop is a vital part of it. Complicated wallpaper can cause visual chaos behind intricately-patterned objects. And a vignette featuring, say, orange, may pick an argument with a red or green wall. Backgrounds act in a positive way when they unify the vignette.
Here, white wall and linear mouldings echo colours in the collection and the credenza’s horizontal detail.
Background
Your display’s backdrop is a vital part of it. Complicated wallpaper can cause visual chaos behind intricately-patterned objects. And a vignette featuring, say, orange, may pick an argument with a red or green wall. Backgrounds act in a positive way when they unify the vignette.
Here, white wall and linear mouldings echo colours in the collection and the credenza’s horizontal detail.
Mirrors make an effective background and animate a vignette by giving depth and perspective, while also magnifying colour and light.
In this corner, the features of the reflected room enter the vignette.
In this corner, the features of the reflected room enter the vignette.
The surface under your vignette is part of its background, too. Elaborate marquetry or grained timber can detract from a display with lots of detail. Try not to overload a distinctive surface but keep shapes and colours unfussy.
The gorgeous cabinet in this photo holds a simple, yet elegant and clean-cut array of objects while showing off its stunning timberwork.
The gorgeous cabinet in this photo holds a simple, yet elegant and clean-cut array of objects while showing off its stunning timberwork.
AND…
Balance
Placing several objects of similar height or colour at one end of a table or bench looks unbalanced. A lopsided placement needs variety within it and visual connection to the rest of the surface. Balance it with a tall central object, such as a painting or sketch, and a secondary grouping opposite. This picture shows how.
Balance
Placing several objects of similar height or colour at one end of a table or bench looks unbalanced. A lopsided placement needs variety within it and visual connection to the rest of the surface. Balance it with a tall central object, such as a painting or sketch, and a secondary grouping opposite. This picture shows how.
C IS FOR…
Common factors
Give the members of your vignette a reason to be together. Relate by colour, texture, theme, shape and/or pattern. When one or more of these elements is repeated, the eye travels enjoyably around your vignette universe.
This one of my favourite vignettes – a picture in green, white and natural wood. I love how the floral theme is made intriguing by the scale of the close-up in the background. It makes me want to lean in for a closer look.
Common factors
Give the members of your vignette a reason to be together. Relate by colour, texture, theme, shape and/or pattern. When one or more of these elements is repeated, the eye travels enjoyably around your vignette universe.
This one of my favourite vignettes – a picture in green, white and natural wood. I love how the floral theme is made intriguing by the scale of the close-up in the background. It makes me want to lean in for a closer look.
AND…
Contrast
Play with contrasts. Think of fresh flowers highlighting the patina of an antique bronze bell, or a delicate woven basket beside a heavy glass bowl.
The unexpected bonsai, crystal lamp and sharp modern table offset this distressed Italianate wall finish with its bold flourishes.
Contrast
Play with contrasts. Think of fresh flowers highlighting the patina of an antique bronze bell, or a delicate woven basket beside a heavy glass bowl.
The unexpected bonsai, crystal lamp and sharp modern table offset this distressed Italianate wall finish with its bold flourishes.
A tiny burst of contrasting apple green enlivens an uncluttered blue and white bedside vignette.
Shop a wide selection of bedside tables
Shop a wide selection of bedside tables
AND…
Cosiness
Pieces spaced evenly over the whole surface lose their connection to each other and may end up looking as if they are set out for a garage sale. Snuggle them up to each other and let some of them touch.
BONUS TIP: If your vignette is on a central table, check it out from all angles and tweak anything that looks awkward.
Cosiness
Pieces spaced evenly over the whole surface lose their connection to each other and may end up looking as if they are set out for a garage sale. Snuggle them up to each other and let some of them touch.
BONUS TIP: If your vignette is on a central table, check it out from all angles and tweak anything that looks awkward.
Keep articles visually linked. Hang a painting or mirror low enough so some of your objects encroach on it but don’t hide it. It then becomes a cohesive part of the arrangement.
I love this fine oriental-style table and great wall texture, but I’d like to bring these charming objects into closer proximity.
BONUS TIP: When you are happy with your vignette, take a snap, so if you have to rearrange it for cleaning, you can replace it exactly.
BONUS TIP: When you are happy with your vignette, take a snap, so if you have to rearrange it for cleaning, you can replace it exactly.
AND…
Cost
Vignettes are a wonderful way to give character to every room of the house - and they need not cost the earth. Collect flowers from your garden, op-shop china, a vintage shoe, pretty glass bottles, an attractive feather, or reframe old photographs or wallpaper offcuts – hunt through your house and see what treasures you can find.
Cost
Vignettes are a wonderful way to give character to every room of the house - and they need not cost the earth. Collect flowers from your garden, op-shop china, a vintage shoe, pretty glass bottles, an attractive feather, or reframe old photographs or wallpaper offcuts – hunt through your house and see what treasures you can find.
ABC TEST
Study this vignette and decide whether you think it works and why.
ABOUT YOU
Do you have a favourite vignette in your house? Share a photo and tell us why you chose your ‘hero’ piece.
MORE ABOUT ARRANGING
11 Look-at-Me Ways to Show Off Your Collectables
17 Inventive Ways to Decorate an Empty Corner
20 Fabulous Feature Wall Ideas
Wall Murals: Do You Dare to Be Different
Study this vignette and decide whether you think it works and why.
ABOUT YOU
Do you have a favourite vignette in your house? Share a photo and tell us why you chose your ‘hero’ piece.
MORE ABOUT ARRANGING
11 Look-at-Me Ways to Show Off Your Collectables
17 Inventive Ways to Decorate an Empty Corner
20 Fabulous Feature Wall Ideas
Wall Murals: Do You Dare to Be Different
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Thanks for sharing. I just entered the vignette phase myself!
I love this article and refer to it time and again. Can we have more like it please?
Am a little late to this party but I very much appreciate the advice and the photos. Have tried to follow some of the pointers in rearranging the vignette atop my MCM buffet.