Basic geometry key to placing accessories

DEAR GAIL: I'm always walking through model homes and looking at how they've been accessorized. When I come home and try to rearrange mine I just get frustrated. I have a lot of wonderful and different accessories, but when I put them together on my coffee table they just look like a bunch of things and nothing special. Help? -- Becky M.

DEAR BECKY: Just so you know, you are not alone. Besides selecting paint colors, accessorizing seems to be the most frustrating area for most homeowners. Accessories are the finishing touches that make your home personal and bring each room together, just as jewelry shows your personality and dresses up your wardrobe. They both complete and complement your foundation.

Accessorizing is about fussing with things until they feel right, which I know is where you're frustrated. To help you, I'm going to give you some sets to follow. Once you have them down, you'll be able to change your items out when you want a new look.

To start, clear off your coffee table, it's important to start with a blank canvas.

Next, gather up the accessories that you'd like to use, knowing you're not going to use all of them. Group them by type, just like you see in the store: candles, vases, figurines, greenery, frames and so on.

What you're going to do is form a triangular pattern that has three layers or heights, as well as a variety of textures and color. Although you can create a stunning grouping with all the same textures and colors, you still need to vary the heights.

Start with your tallest accessory and place it off center and to the back of the table, instead of right in the middle. You want to create a grouping versus lining them up.

Now select the next one you'd like to use. This piece should be smaller. Place it at the second point of the triangle.

Then select the third piece, which will be your smallest. Many times my third accessory is greenery to soften the grouping. If you have a large table or would like to use more than three things, place two more items into your triangular pattern. I do like using odd numbers, but nothing says you have to. It's all about balance.

Once you're comfortable creating groupings, do what looks and feels right.

If you need a starting point, take pictures at model homes or cut pictures out from magazines. Then re-create the look by selecting similar accessories from what you have.

I know this sounds simple, but it always isn't when you start. So here are a couple things to watch for:

n Make sure nothing is too high and blocking your view to the television or chairs where guest may be sitting. You don't want to have to look around candlesticks to watch television or chat.

n How does your grouping look from all angles? I don't like using frames on a coffee table because you see the backs when sitting on the sofa. They are best placed on side tables or a console.

n Don't overcrowd the table. This is sometimes where people go astray and it ends up looking like a sale table. Add one piece at a time and when it looks too crowded take the last one off.

n Are the accessories visually too heavy, too light, too large or too small for the table? You especially need to watch this when you have a small, delicate glass table. But on the same token a large wood table should have substantial pieces.

n Keep the theme the same. I wouldn't place a rustic candlestick and a country goose together with an Oriental vase. Instead use a brass candlestick and a swan figurine with the vase. Each item does not have to be Oriental but they should have the same feel.

n Have you added color? It can be as simple as color from candles, decorative balls, potpourri, flowers or even books.

Accessorizing really is the fun part and makes all the difference in a well-made room. So jump in and try a couple of different arrangements until you find the one you like.

Gail Mayhugh, owner of GMJ Interiors, is a professional interior designer and author of a book on the subject. Questions may be sent by email to: gail@gmjinteriors.com. Or, mail to: 7380 S. Eastern Ave., No. 124-272, Las Vegas, NV 89123. Her Web address is: www.GMJinteriors.com.