Though the classic shelfie still holds undeniable clout on our social media feeds, recently there’s been a definite shift in the way we’re showcasing our interiors online. It’s as if our focus has zoomed outwards a little: stylishly arranged and usually featuring some variant of house plant, well put-together corners keep grabbing our attention. But are they as effortless as they appear on our Instagram feeds?
With this in mind, each week we’ll be asking one influencer to talk us through the most curated spot in their house. For our latest Story of a Corner, lifestyle vlogger and author Niomi Smart has showed us how she put together her favourite nook in the home she's recently moved into and re-decorated...
The space
The corner that I am most proud of in my home is in my ‘office’. When my boyfriend and I moved into the house in January this year, we decided to complete one room at a time. Because the then dining room was to be transformed into my office, it was the room that I was most dedicated to decorating.
The furniture
Because the then-dining room was to be transformed into my office, it was the room that I was most dedicated to decorating. Once I had found the perfect desk to work from and a beautiful velvet love seat (both are from Graham & Green), I realised I had a very naked corner that made the room feel a bit disjointed. I’d spotted a beautiful brass shelving unit on Swoon and immediately knew I had found the perfect spot for it!
The ornaments
I’m one of those people that has a lot of stuff - mementos, artwork (like this pineapple print from Desmond & Dempsey), ornaments (the letter ‘N’ is by Oliver Bonas) - so it was quite easy filling it out. It’s definitely more of a ‘curated shelving’ display compared to the real shelving in the lounge that’s crammed full of books and a random mix of other things on display…
NOW READ: 11 Shelf Styling Tricks To Steal From Pinterest
Interiors porn Book shelves Pinterest - Grazia
1 of 11book shelves
A colour-coordinated book shelf will always be aesthetically pleasing...
2 of 11book shelves
... but a monochromatic book shelf is next level (try it against a bold colour backdrop, too).
3 of 11book shelves
Mix up your book storage by alternating spines in with spines out.
4 of 11book shelves
Consider giving a basic wooden shelf a DIY white gloss for a clean, more minimalist finish (it'll help the shelves feel less cluttered, too).
5 of 11book shelves
Marble shelving with gold brackets: that's two interiors trends in one.
6 of 11book shelves
Play around with shapes: this hexagonal wall mount is a talking point that doubles up as storage.
7 of 11book shelves
A ladder shelf is a staple of all our favourite Pinterest interiors boards: choose a free-standing style and you'll have more flexibility about where to place it, too.
8 of 11shelves
Shelving doesn't have to be uniform: mix up proportions with different lengths and a trailing houseplant.
9 of 11kitchen shelves
A more rustic wood finish looks great with an eclectic mix of textures.
10 of 11shelves
This colour gradient backdrop is an eye-catching way to upgrade shelving (though it certainly works best with a few curated pieces on show, rather than general clutter...)
11 of 11shelves
Style a brass etagere with a few decorative pieces in similar metallic shades.
The switch-up
My ‘office’ has actually now become the ultimate chill out zone (or snug as we call it at home), and I prefer to work from the kitchen table instead. I suppose that’s often how it works once you decorate a home - rooms you have visions for when you move in turn out to be better for other purposes once they’re lived in.
Follow Niomi on Instagram @niomismart