Happy Friday, my friends! We have come to the close of another week, and I can feel spring in the air…hooray! This weekend we will be working in the garden for the first time, and I am really excited to get my hands dirty and spend a little time putting some effort into our home and yard. Today I would like to share the second installment in my new series, Friday Styling School.
This is something I am doing from my heart, because I really want to learn more about creative styling of all sorts, and I thought this would be a great way to learn something new each week. It can be all too easy to let our interests and passions languish when it seems that so many other things need our attention, but making a date once a week seems like an easy way to start. This week we are taking a look at some gorgeous interior styling done by Clair Wayman. I hope you will join me in the comments section and share your thoughts!
Clair Wayman is an Australian stylist whose work you have undoubtedly seen and drooled over if you’ve ever picked up a copy of Real Living. There were so many favorite shots, it was really hard to choose just a few to show here, so you will definitely want to head over to her website to view her entire portfolio. Today we will be digging a bit deeper, to discuss what it is that makes these rooms and spaces work from a styling perspective. So go grab yourself a cup of something yummy to drink, settle in, and let’s get started. : )
Clair’s work nearly always gives me a sense of calm, peace, order and simplicity. Can you feel it? These are not super layered spaces dripping with embellishment and lots of extras, but pared down and streamlined. I look at Clair’s work and think, why can’t my home feel more like this? Think about starting from scratch, pulling everything out of a room and bringing it back, piece by piece until you have just enough to tell a little story. Here are a few ideas percolating in my mind after taking in the images above.
Friday Styling School Takeaways: ideas for budding interior stylists
+ Try stripping a room bare before getting to work. Sometimes it’s hard to visualize what isn’t working until you’ve really made a fresh start.
+ Focus on a cohesive color palette, two or three colors, max.
+ Think about including a print or object featuring an animal. It may sound odd, but this is a little trick that can make all the difference in a scene feeling friendly and inviting, even when there are no people in it. In these photos I see: butterflies, dog, rabbit, horse, owl…
+ Visualize a scene unfolding. Has someone just arrived home, dropping their bag by the door? Is the family about to sit down for breakfast? Time to curl up with a cup of tea and a good book? Allow signs of life being lived.
+ Decide what the focal point will be, and build up your scene around that. For instance, I imagine the bold purple printed paper on the wall in the photo above was a starting point, leading to the purple and blue dishes, hydrangea and vase, etc.
+ As in food styling, do not be afraid to move furniture if need be, to take better advantage of the natural light!
What about you? Any ideas sparked by these images? I invite you to jump in and try your hand at dissecting your favorite shot above: what makes you love it? Also, I am compiling a list of stylists to interview for this series, so if you have a favorite stylist you’d love to hear from, please let me know, and I’ll see what I can do! Have a great weekend, friends! xo Laura
My writing, elsewhere:
I also write weekly for Houzz. Here are a few of my recent columns to add to your weekend reading list:
- Make the most of a small space with these 10 tips.
- Take a virtual trip to Mexico.
- Make your bedroom a blissful haven.
- Little ones at home? Here are some great ideas for kids’ rooms.
- Go-to sources for pretty pillows.
(photos: stylist Clair Wayman)
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I really love your new Series. Good stylists make it look effortless when really it’s not. I am at a point now where I have the basics but need to think about the details in terms of accessorizing, soft furnishings and art. What should be the most fun part is proven to be quite difficult – when on a tight budget. Your series is giving me plenty of ideas. Have a great weekend! Nina
Nina´s last [type] ..Coconut Lemon Cake
I just found your blog and I love it. I am having my first professional photographs of a project on Tuesday, so I am so appreciative of the styling tips! Thank you! I’m sort of flying blind here, so I am really really studying your styling series tonight!