The Art of More

As Mae West said, “Too much of a good thing can be wonderful.” Sometimes, you need to stop editing and let your imagination run wild. In addition to being just plain fun, taking a break from minimalism is a great way to add warmth and personality to any space. Here’s how to artfully embrace excess:

  • You might be wondering if you can pull off the look. The answer is yes. That said, you don’t have to apply the “more is more” philosophy to your entire house; reserve one special wall, corner, tabletop, or powder room, and start filling it up with your favorite things.
  • When layering or grouping, put likes with likes. You can do this by putting together art, objects, etc., that share a color scheme or theme. Play with scale and levels to keep things interesting, and mix high-end wares with lower-end ones to elevate pieces and add intrigue.
  • Keep going! Just when you think you have enough art on the wall or objects on a shelf, pile on more.
  • Remember, nothing is permanent when it comes to styling. You can always update your decor depending on what is inspiring you at any given moment.

Expert tip from And George in Charlottesville, VA.