Styling Part 2

Imagine this photo without the greenery and flowers. Now take away the chair by the fireplace. Mmm, now it's lacking, right? The chair, while breaking up the symmetry, adds its own interest to the room and how inviting a spot to sit! The palms and flowers gives this otherwise straight-laced living room, an almost tropical feel, but more safari...worldly.

JSA INTERIOR DESIGN 

Styling Tips from Houzz

To continue on my quest for great house photos, and as promised, here are the styling tips I found on Houzz (various articles). I tried them out on my kitchen, after hiding almost EVERYTHING!!! See what you think...oh, and these tips go for all rooms.

STYLING

• Put the lid down (yes, that is what they mean...in Bathrooms.
• Hide everything - my kitchen is never this sparse.
• Put shiny, new, lidded pot on the stove - check.

• Use flowers - the more dramatic, the better. I didn't have dramatic, but I did have cute Oxalis aka shamrock.
• Play with tablescape arrangements.
• Tell a story - now, I feel that if I replaced the bowl of fruit with a wooden cutting board, lots of colourful peppers and a bottle of balsamic vinegar, that would have told a story, a yummy one. 

• Declutter.
• Go for symmetry.
• Simple dining settings (I have a hideous old antique table which I'm saving to replace, so I saved you from that sight)
• Pull out chairs at a workspace.
• Place a tray with books and bowl or vase on ottoman.
• As previous mentioned, use natural and artificial light, but no flash. Unfortunately, I got on the phone with my sister and missed the morning light, but you can see that shot here, along with the progress shots.
• AND use rule of third (don't point camera so corner is at the centre of photo).

Happy Saturday!

Joanne xox

Photo tips from Houzz

As we are either selling or renting our new home, I've been taking photos or each room to determine what it needs. I have to say, I haven't been thrilled with the shots, though I have a beautiful Canon EOS SLR camera. Thankfully, Houzz has some wonderfully articles on how to take great home decor shots that I share with you, here today:

1. Shoot 40" off the floor, straight on, without centring corners - use the rule of thirds.
2. Use natural light and turn off the flash. Mix artificial light (not flourescent) with natural light.
3. Turn on TV (be choosy about what is freeze-framed there), turn on gas fireplace too (oops, I forgot to), arrange and accessorize furniture (see notes next post on Styling).
4. Shoot mirrors on an angle.
5. Use tripod ($20) for nice, slow f-stops (f/8-f/22) - honestly, I'm not that far advanced with my camera, but plan to read the manual.
6. Set EV to +1 to +2 - that I can do.
7. Set ISO to 800 to appear lighter - again the manual, as my film speed sets automatically.

So armed with this new info, I tidied up and took the following shots:

Rug needed

Mirror or painting above sofa needed.

Rugs needed.

Picture above bed needed

Less bottles out next time!

Next will be Kitchen and Library, and various other rooms and Styling Photo tips. Until then, I hope your enjoying a beautiful Spring day!