Small moments
They say don’t sweat the small stuff. But lately I’ve been finding the opposite.
I’ve been finding sweet simplicity in the small moments. Sometimes by surprise, sometimes by seeking it.
A mossy garden statue, a reflection in a mirror, a cozy, sunlit nook by a window, a stack of vintage books (can’t you just feel the texture thinking about it?).
Patina, such as on this established fountain at our recent staging on Orchard Rd. in Orinda, is one of this subtle things you only notice when you pause to take in a small moment.
Simple brass vases become more interesting when the focus is narrowed, as the different shapes become more noticeable. It’s a fun juxtaposition to see the glamorous, modern, simple yet graphic brass shapes against the texture and history of vintage books and a rustic wood desk. This is what we mean when we reference “visual interest”—layering for a more interesting small moment..
Our team often talks about noticing what is reflected in a mirror. Here, it happens to be a moment of modern glam as reflected through segmented bubbles. Each a small moment of their own, creating a fun, fragmented and reflected view of the space.
I can’t recommend it enough.
When only a few items are present, it’s easier to appreciate the fun addition of fringe or fur. Or just imagine sitting in this window seat in quiet serenity, looking out at the beautiful view. It’s begging for a cup of fresh coffee.
“Big picture” gets a lot of hype. But try instead to blur the peripheral. Narrow the lens. Hyper focus.
Stop and smell the roses. Or perhaps just a single rose. Maybe less is more.
Here are a few small moments I paused to enjoy recently.
Like the other photos, this small moment offers up visual interest. But the bath of golden sunlight steals the show. We find that natural light should be the star of the show whenever possible. And if not? We do our best to create it.
To add or not to add? That is always the question. Negative (empty) space is as important, and as satisfying, as filled space. Writers often call it a “pregnant pause”—full of meaning and anticipation. Negative space gives more drama and intention to the overall moment.
Like many designers and stagers, we are suckers for a graphic, beautiful book. As much for their clean, square aesthetic as for the fact their subject and title evoke ideas too vast to show in a single room. Here, Tom Ford evokes glamour and Suzanne Kasler brings the classicism to an otherwise California classic style interior.
One of my favorite small moments will always be a full, healthy plant with all of its varying colors and textures. I love that this succulent has a sculptural shape to it yet overflows from the container like a bouquet, making it soft and full from afar but sculptural and clean up close. Mother Nature, wow—she really knows how to do it right.