While a blank space may work for a Taylor Swift song, it probably doesn’t fit in your designs. This week, we asked four designers—Danielle Balanis, Shauna Glenn, Antonio Matrēs and Ally-Catherine Trenary—what accent decor they use to decorate an empty space.
Turn to Nature
“My go-to accessory for a blank space is absolutely a plant of some sort. It can be real or fake (some of our clients are not good plant parents), but there is something about bringing the outdoors into a space that just breathes life into it. Sometimes it’s big, like a tree in the corner of a room, but often it’s smaller—an orchid on a tray on the coffee table, or a colorful pot of herbs on a kitchen windowsill. When styling bookshelves, I always have some sort of plant, or multiple plants. It can get a little junglelike if I’m not careful!”—Shauna Glenn, Shauna Glenn Design, Fort Worth, Texas
Accessorize Artisanally
“I’ve always believed that a thoughtful accessory can completely change the way you use a
space and be the seed that will transform that room into something else. A corner with a small lamp becomes a reading nook, or a table with a stunning vase is now your new indoor garden. Unique handmade objects bring you joy and that have a story to tell. Those are the accessories that can change the way you see a space so you can fall in love with it again. Right now, my go-to accessory is probably a small candelabra I got from Jan Ernst. It is delicate, unique, vibrant…it illuminates any corner nicely and photographs well—that’s always key.” —Antonio Matrēs, Antonio Matrēs Architecture + Interior Design, New York and Madrid
Bookworm
“Books! Books have all the warmth and comfort that every home needs. Stacking books beside a chair or on tables gives dimension and layers in an unexpected coziness. Books are sexy. Books are intriguing. I am a huge fan of being well -read and having your books flaunt themselves about your home. I love to gift clients design books such as Haute Bohemians or Pierce and Ward’s A Tale of Interiors. French collector Pierre Le-Tan does the most elegant job of incorporating books into his Parisian space. The books fill the voids and become almost like a part of the room’s architecture and structure. What is better than having chronicles of inspiration and pillars of knowledge floating around your favorite space? I always advocate adding this dimension everywhere possible, in every home I design.” —Danielle Balanis, Danielle Balanis Design, Birmingham, Alabama
Add a Soft Touch
“Rugs are so grounding to a room and can be such an opportunity to tell a story, to express yourself, to honor yourself and your family. I am a big believer in curated spaces—I love when you can walk into a space and understand the person who lives there and what is important to them, and rugs should be central in that curation. Even small spaces can benefit from an accent rug to celebrate your style and to define the space and make it feel intentional. We also love creating beautiful and intentional moments in a smaller way with bespoke pillows. Whether you are looking to elevate a chair, sofa or nook, or provide cozy extra seating for kids or pets, a bespoke pillow in the perfect materials and colors can give an empty space purpose and style.” —Ally-Catherine Trenary, June St. George, High Point, North Carolina
