BEAUTY: Tableaux

As an interior designer, artist, and maximalist, I truly appreciate a good tablescape or tableau. I love gazing at fascinating sculptures, natural objects, treasured personal mementoes, antiques with a story, handmade creations of beauty ... collected and displayed in a way that allows these elements to play off one another, to provide harmony or contrast.

Painting by William McClure

Collection by Pierre Le Tan, sold at Sotheby's

Tableau by Sean Anderson

Elevator landing at Kips Bay Showhouse NYC, 2023

Tableau by JF Chen

Tableau by Anna Spiro Design

Tableau by India Hicks

Tableau by John Derian

For The Love Of Tableaux

I have not posted any design images in a while, but regular readers might recall that, although I am an interior designer who works on whole houses, my particular love is for tableaux...there's nothing like a well-curated tablescape or tableau to intrigue and fascinate.

BEAUTY: Tableaux

The Art of Tableaux continued...

http://www.hillarythomas.com
http://www.laurenadel.com
http://www.carinaolander.se
http://www.carlyledesigns.com

BEAUTY: Tableaux

The art of tableaux continued...

West Elm

Philpots Interiors

Antonio Martins

Photo by Marili Forastieri

Photo by Marili Forastieri

Tricia Foley

BEAUTY: Tableaux for Autumn

I like the subtlety in this image above: the pumpkin-strewn walkway and willow arch lead to
a barn where the classic 1922 silent horror film "Nosferatu" is being screened!
The shadow of Max Schreck as a vampire is visible through the door.

BEAUTY: Tableaux

I adore tableaux and I love making them. It is a very important part of designing an interior. If you have created a nice space, tableaux are the final layer; they create interest, add color and texture, direct attention, and highlight areas that might otherwise go unnoticed. Without them, a room can feel unfinished or un-lived in. Sometimes I create tableaux here at home when I am feeling down... it makes me feel better!

The art of creating a tableau is part intuitive and part formula. I have written about this art before but in a nutshell: it is about contrast and balance. You want to put smooth next to rough, shiny next to matte, organic next to mad-made, vintage with new. A concentrated collection of like objects creates impact. Flowers or greens are always appropriate. Follow the rule of three. And vary height by using tall, medium, and low objects. If you have something that isn't high enough, but you want to use anyhow, be creative and find something that will work as a pedestal. A stack of hardcover books can add height in such a case. Finally, add one unexpected element. Move things around and play with your composition... because that is exactly what you are doing. You are curating a collection, you are composing a painting, you are making a sculpture.

By Thom Felicia

Photo by Roger Davies

By Gregory Mellor

Photo by David Prince

By Natalie Younger

By Erin Martin

By Jay Jeffers

By Jay Jeffers

By Tobi Fairley