Guest Guru Elizabeth Mayhew, author of FLIP for Decorating

Don’t just organize, accessorize!!!

You can rearrange your furniture till you’re blue in the face, but your rooms won’t be done until you add your own flair—which means accessories. By definition, accessories are nonessentials—throw pillows and blankets, framed pictures, books, and objects—but really, they’re what makes a room look lived in and loved. Soft goods, like pillows and blankets, add warmth while pictures and books add a personal note. And because they’re a room’s most affordable element, you can change them in and out with the seasons. Now that it’s summer, trade a woolly crimson throw for a one in flax-colored cotton. A vibrant new set of pillows and throws can instantly revive a ho-hum room.

The homes of avid readers tend to have piles of books in every room, but the biggest, prettiest, and most interesting titles should be saved for the living room where a thick stack of volumes brings a sculptural touch to the coffee table.

It’s easy to go overboard, but when it comes to picking personal affectations, such as framed photos, act like an archivist. Don’t put everything out, just pick your favorites. A single photograph says more than a dozen.

The rules:

1. Act like a curator. Loving stuff is not the same as displaying stuff.

Think of home accessories as you would jewelry. You would never wear all of your earrings, necklaces, and bracelets at once nor should you display ALL of your objects at once.

2. Group like objects together.

Whether items are linked by color, shape, or material, groups of objects often have more presence than single objects spread throughout a room.

3. Use trays to make a disconnected group of objects seem like a collection.

4. Use multiples of things, but always display in odd numbers.

5. Pay attention to shape.

If all of the furniture in your room is boxy then opt for several objects with shapely curves.

Punch it up with pattern and texture.

Throw pillows. Pillows on a sofa or chair help bring color, texture, and pattern into a room, not to mention comfort. There is however such thing as too many pillows. No matter what kind of sofa you have—from an upholstered back to one with only loose cushions—make sure you don’t overdo it in the pillow department; you need to leave room for you and your guests to sit!

Complement with color.

Throw blankets. Fold one on the edge of a modern sofa to soften hard edges or pile two on a bench or stool to add a splash of color.

Show off your personality.

Accessories are what make a house a home. Items don’t have to be expensive but they should have a connection to you thereby making your room feel more grounded and real.

Vases and objects.

Display items that mean something to you, such as decorative bowls that you picked up while traveling, or an heirloom box that was handed down to you. Add interesting shapes and for impact, cluster similar objects, such as vases.

Books.

Make small stacks in varying heights to add architecture to your coffee table. Pick titles that reflect your interests and hobbies. And don’t be afraid to undress your books: remove the glossy covers to reveal a bright fabric binding.

The homes of avid readers tend to have piles of books in every room, but the biggest, prettiest, and most interesting titles should be saved for the living room where a thick stack of volumes brings a sculptural touch to the coffee table.

Framed photos.

Edit, edit, edit. Pick your favorites, frame them tastefully and display a small grouping instead of scattering them throughout the room. Remember a single photograph says more than a dozen.

Make it useful.

Baskets and boxes while considered accessories in a room are storage necessities. Use them to corral CD’s, papers, remote controls, jewelry, and any other odds and ends.

Always have something living.

Flowers and plants. You don’t need a green thumb to display cut flowers. Forget fancy botany, just pick whatever is freshest at grocery store. Choose one variety of flowers and get more than you think you need.

Elizabeth Mayhew is the lifestyle expert for NBC’s Today show and is special projects editor for House Beautiful magazine. Previously she was editorial development director at Real Simple magazine. A native of Louisville, Kentucky, she now lives in New York City with her husband and two children. Learn more at www.elizabethmayhew.com