Throughout the years, I have worked closely with Mark Liddell and Raul Lameles of Mark Liddell Design (MLD). They are interior designers and real estate photographers for A-List celebrities living throughout the Los Angeles area. To learn more about The HD Group’s strategic design partnership with MLD, click here.
I asked Mark and Raul to share their secrets for the art of accessorizing a home. How do accessories help to create a feeling of warmth and personality in your home? How do you know when you’ve gone too far with over-accessorizing? What are some key interior design tips that they would recommend? These are the questions we are answering today.
“Accessorizing helps transform a house into a home, both inside and out,” says Mark. “A blank room now has personality, color and warmth. And, the use of texture creates sensuality.”
Finding The Right Balance
For Mark, the goal of accessorizing a home is to find just the right balance between enhancing the appearance of the room without going overboard. You want to capture the personality and spirit of the homeowner, while also making the space inviting and visually appealing for all guests who visit the home. This can be easier said than done, which is why Mark and Raul have spent so many years perfecting their craft.
So many different things can be considered home “accessories.” Rugs, artwork, candles, cushions, books, photos—these aren’t necessarily function items. They are mostly decorative pieces, adding personal style and character to each room of the house.
Here are a few accessorizing tips that they shared with me:
Group Items in Odd Numbers
This is an interior design method that Mark has used to great success throughout his years in the industry. You can achieve visual balance without having to have perfect symmetry. Grouping decorative items in odd numbers tends to work very well. It naturally draws your eye to the décor without being a distraction. Try this trick and you might be surprised how much you like it!
Dare to Be Different
Accessorizing a home is all about capturing your personal style. Don’t be afraid to try something different and make your living space a unique reflection of your personality. Don’t try to copy someone else’s style or add an accessory just because it’s trendy right now. Find design touches, color schemes and accessories that will help your home stand out in a way that’s pleasing to your own eye.
Never Over-accessorize!
This is the most important interior design tip that Mark has to offer. There is such a thing as too many accessories in a home. Keep it simple. Keep it classy. Avoid clutter. The goal of accessorizing is to enhance the space. If the décor dominates the space in any way, you’ve done something wrong.
Check out my full spotlight video with Mark Liddell for more insight about the art of accessorizing your home:
Accessorizing can also make a significant difference when preparing to sell your home. It is a key part of the staging process. However, the strategy is a bit different when selling because one of your goals should be to “depersonalize” the space in order to appeal to a wider range of potential buyers. Still, the primary interior design strategies apply as you want to make each room feel as warm, unique and inviting as possible.
If you are planning to sell your home and would like to talk more about staging and marketing strategies, contact The HD Group today. We also help home buyers envision the possibilities when searching for the homes of their dreams.
