How do you choose your accessories?

**MomToTwoBoys** · 06-11-2010, 10:58 PM

I'm in the midst of painting the entryway, hallway and kitchen in our downstairs level of the house. I have the entryway and hallway painted, but the kitchen is not yet done.

This brings me to the decision of what to do with the walls once they are done.

We want a very minimalistic aspect in the house and the walls are very bright due to lack of natural lighting. The entryway is white and the hallway is Country Mist (which is sort of like an icy green, but the light can make it look either white or blue depending on the angle). The kitchen will also be the same color as the hallway. The trim in the hallway and kitchen will be white.

I'm not all that great with decorating walls and/or empty spaces. So I'm here for advice:

What do you decorate with?

Either silver or black accessories are ok with me and I want the space to feel warm.

**Luckybustert** · 06-11-2010, 11:02 PM

I decorate with things that either make me feel good or have special meaning to me. With black and silver, I'd use ink drawings in black frames with a touch of silver trim.

**Libby** · 06-11-2010, 11:13 PM

What about a framed mirror in black or frameless mirror (ie from Ikea?) and hang by the entryway or in that hallway. Any light that gets in via your front door will reflect off of the mirror going further into the house OR just make the hallway naturally brighter.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 06-12-2010, 10:21 AM

We have the one window by the door and that already lets in a ton of natural light, even when it's cloudy outside.

DH told me that he doesn't want anything hanging on the walls in places that it can get knocked down by the kids. I can sort of see his point, but these kids have a tendency to knock EVERYTHING down.

We'd discussed putting a bench with a shelving unit in where the closet used to be. We're still working on the coat solution but we know we don't want just your ordinary five-peg coat rack. Against the wall that's kiddy-cornered to the window would be a small shelf that's anchored to the wall with a mirror above that.

**Contrary Housewife** · 06-12-2010, 12:18 PM

Our hallway is too narrow to have anything hanging in it. I have a pair of candle sconces and a clock that belonged to my grandparents in the entry area. The sconces were a splurge (Partylite) when we first married.

In the living room I have several vintage mirrors that also belonged to my grandparents, and a selection of framed watercolors of places DH and I have visited. It's a classic, traditional look, but also casual.

**pollypurebred39** · 06-12-2010, 11:50 PM

Sonoma Triple Cubbie Bench & Jocelyn Coat Rack Set – Black | Porch Swings and Benches

How about this

**ladykemma2** · 06-13-2010, 07:33 AM

ethanallen.com - Ethan Allen | furniture | interior design | entryways

http://www.shakerworkshops.com/catal...-Pegboard/F204

http://www.shakerworkshops.com/catal...use-Bench/F224

http://www.shakerworkshops.com/catal...er--Bench/FX84

http://www.shakerworkshops.com/catal...g-Shelves/F404

something like this with two chairs on either side. all painted black-- side of the road finds or repurposing a piece you already have. symmetrical lamps or sconces. http://www.ethanallen.com/product?pr...ategoryId=8048

thirft store mirror over the sideboard

**ladykemma2** · 06-13-2010, 08:09 AM

i like the way she has done her mudroom
http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.co...t-to-post.html

**MomToTwoBoys** · 06-16-2010, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by pollypurebred39

Sonoma Triple Cubbie Bench & Jocelyn Coat Rack Set – Black | Porch Swings and Benches

How about this

Oh my God, I love it!

Originally Posted by ladykemma2

I love Ethan Allen's stuff, but it's just way too pricy and too formal for us. The kids are still in the 'Oops, sorry Mommy!' stage of breaking things. Now the Shaker items, those are pretty. I'd have to get a dark stain on a lot of them, but the benches and the peg shelves are pretty nifty.

Originally Posted by ladykemma2

i like the way she has done her mudroom
Thrifty Decor Chick

I adore that mudroom! I saw Sarah's House and oh boy, her mudroom was to die for.

**lisaflex** · 06-16-2010, 09:59 PM

i have used a designer in the past...and, she says....lets pick some things you just LOVE and that have meaning and then we will work from that. only use a mirror if you want to reflect what is directly behind it...

we wnt from a bit over cluttered, to .....perfect with her help!

clear bowls w/ lemons or/and limes are also a useful decor...we eat them too!!!! and they look nice...

**krbshappy71** · 06-17-2010, 12:40 AM

I have to love it, it has to mean something to me. i.e. I don't buy typical store accessories or knicknacks. I decorate with gifts I'm given that I loved or handed down family heirlooms. I only purchase picture frames with the picture I have in mind to put in it.

I do like shaker or mission style for furniture as it is usually well constructed and simplistic. I feel it blends in to the background to show off my items.

The more I'm reading about home decorating, the more I'm realizing I might fall under "eccentric" style. So if you want it "well put together" I'm not the person to ask. *grin*

But you all know you love my orange front door.

**ladykemma2** · 06-17-2010, 07:29 AM

Originally Posted by MomToTwoBoys

Oh my God, I love it!

I love Ethan Allen's stuff, but it's just way too pricy and too formal for us. The kids are still in the 'Oops, sorry Mommy!' stage of breaking things. Now the Shaker items, those are pretty. I'd have to get a dark stain on a lot of them, but the benches and the peg shelves are pretty nifty.

I adore that mudroom! I saw Sarah's House and oh boy, her mudroom was to die for.

i didn't mean to BUY ethan allen (grin) use it to identify quality and find used pieces or side of the road pieces. i look at ethan allen for decorating ideas, then go buy used.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 06-17-2010, 10:42 AM

I might end up checking out Homesense then. They're really fantastic and the items they have there are nice and warm. We want clean, simple and minimalistic. I think you have to be in order to keep your sanity, especially when your house is an example of what hoarding does to your well-being.

DH loved the upper cubby and the lower bench that I showed him, but he wants a bench that has a shelf attached to the back of it. After that, he's all for something that has peg hooks.

We'll be looking for a while.