Mrs Woog, what is a Vignette?

I will tell you this. It is not a venereal disease.

I first heard about vignetting from Sarah from A Beach Cottage and BabyMac, who would point out lovely things in New York and take photos of vignettes in shops. Since then, I have become a little obsessed.

Click on their links to see how those chicks vignette.

I even did a TABLESCAPE at Mum's place this weekend just gone. Danimezza was so impressed, she took a photo! Tablescape is a ~~bit of a wanky~~ word used to describe setting a table. I think. I read it somewhere. On a blog.

Who do I think I am?

So, as a community service for those who like to phaff about with their bits, I have asked blogger Tania Marie to share some tips about VIGNETTING!

CLICK HERE TO VISIT HER SWEET, SWEET BLOG

First of all I think it will be helpful to define what a vignette is......

When I asked my hubby what he thought the secret to a successful vignette was he asked me......

"Why does Mrs Woog want to know how to make a salad dressing??"

Curiously, he's heard of Mrs Woog but never heard of a vignette......

He didn't realise there was a fancy French word for my obsessive rearranging. Lucky he looks good!

I consider a vignette to be an artful arrangement of disparate objects which is pleasing to the eye and creates a whole that is greater than the sum of it's parts......and no, I didn't google that.

1. What is the secret to a successful vignette?

The best visual arrangements are the ones which tell a story. I think a successful vignette should have a common theme running through it, an element which visually holds it together, whether it be the subject or the colour.

A successful vignette would combine objects of varying heights, preferably in odd numbers, to create interest. A limited palette of no more than three colours gives cohesion to an otherwise mismatched set of objects and a variety of textures creates depth and visual appeal......

2. What, in your opinion, is a vignette no no?

For me, a big no no would be items which are too matchy matchy or too pristine.

I like to combine new with vintage objects, things with sentimental value which have been collected over time.

I believe a home should be a unique composition of things you love, put together in the best way you possibly can. It should say something about the person who lives there and a vignette is no different, only on a smaller scale. You should buy what you love and then make it work.

It's a bit like making a salad dressing really......start with the basic ingredients then season it with salt and pepper for added flavour. It's always more interesting than the stuff you buy ready made......