Final Touches: Home Accessories That Tell Your Unique Story
You stepped into your home—does it tell your story, or simply echo Pinterest trends?
At L+P Interiors, we define a beautiful space as one that doesn't stop needing consideration after the walls have been painted and furniture has been arranged. It is complete when it feels lived in, layered, and distinctly you. That feeling comes from the last leg of the journey, those decorative and functional, accessory pieces that don't just decorate your space, they are telling your space's story.
Accessories are frequently undervalued in interior design and considered an afterthought or “extra.” We think of them as a must-have. They are where soul meets style. They are where beauty and meaning co-mingle; curated and collected connect.
This article explores the L+P process of completing a house; how we embrace accessories to create deeply personal, elevated, and functional spaces unique to your lifestyle, travels, past, and future aspirations.
→ Let us bring your story to life— Start your consultation
Why Accessories Matter in Interior Design
Accessories act as emotional anchors in a space. They have history, intention, and usually, memory. A framed handwritten recipe, a ceramic bowl from your honeymoon, the art your daughter created in third grade - these objects bring richness and truth to a home.
From a design perspective, they bring function and feeling together as well. The perfect throw pillow will add softness to a structured sofa. A well-sculpted lamp will soften a modern console with warmth. A beautiful, styled bookshelf adds a moment of pause and personality.
At L+P Interiors, we don't layer just to layer. Our design philosophy is based on storytelling-- that is, every item, from rug to reading light, is selected with a view to represent you.
"A beautiful home can be appreciated, but a personal home is memorable."
→ See how we blend soul + sophistication in every project: View Our Portfolio
Curated vs. Cluttered: The Art of Meaningful Collections
We’ve all seen it: a room over-accessorized with trinkets and trends, feeling more like a retail display than a home. The secret to accessories that work? Restraint. Purpose. Curated, not cluttered.
At L+P, we approach styling as a form of editing. Negative space is celebrated—it gives meaningful items room to breathe and speak.
In our St. Helena Residence, for example, we worked with a client who loved to collect antique ceramics and textiles from their travels. Instead of displaying every piece, we selected a few with strong emotional ties and layered them into the design with balance and care. A single handwoven throw on a linen bench. A pair of earthen vases on an open shelf. The result? A space that felt collected over time, never crowded.
We also love working with heirlooms, estate finds, and travel treasures. Our job is to honor their importance and make sure they harmonize with the architecture, color palette, and overall design.
→ Have pieces you love but don’t know how to style? Let’s frame your story: Reach Out
Signature Accessory Styles We Love
Here’s how we break down the world of accessories—with function, form, and feeling in mind.
Art That Evokes
Art is one of the most powerful accessories. It sets the emotional tone of a room and often becomes the visual anchor.
Whether it’s a commissioned piece, a vintage lithograph, or a bold abstract from a local gallery, we help our clients choose art that reflects both place and personality.
Take our Nantucket Escape Home. Rather than go nautical, we pulled in art that captured the feeling of the coast—moody seascapes, organic forms, and palettes pulled from dunes and driftwood. It’s less literal, more lyrical.
→ See how we curate with care: Explore the Nantucket Project
Textiles That Do More Than Decorate
Pillows, throws, and rugs do more than simply look pretty. They bring warmth, movement, and a layer of storytelling. We are often asked to create custom textiles—pillows from vintage fabrics, throws woven by artisans, and rugs with regional iterations.
In a Marin hillside home, we used natural-toned textiles inspired by the surrounding landscape - olive, sand, sky blue - that echo the views beyond the windows. Each item reinforced a feeling of calm connectedness to nature.
Textiles are functional, too: they soften acoustics, add insulation, and invite touch.
Books: Your Personality—Bound and Styled
We love using books in design - not just as decorations but as insights into a client's interests and persona.
Think: A stack of art books on a coffee table. A poetry collection on the nightstand. First editions in a bespoke bookshelf.
The key? Mix heights, subjects, and tones for visual interest. We also love layering in personal notes—photos, postcards, or small objects atop a favorite title.
→ Want shelves that tell a story, not just store things? Let’s talk
Objects of Interest
Sculptures. Bowls. Handmade ceramics. These things create dimension and life in a space when curated correctly.
We buy from local makers and vintage markets, because history and soul are more important to us than mass-market mediocrity.
The material and shape are important. Putting a tall, rough vessel next to a low, smooth bowl offers contrast. A heavy stone piece grounds a light wood console. It’s all about intentional tension.
Greenery & Natural Layers
Nothing lights up a space like something living—or what looks like it.
Our love of botanicals means we start in different ways, from foraged branches in big vases to herb pots in a sun-drenched kitchen, bringing color, movement, and softness into the space.
On larger projects, we team up with local florists and landscape designers to incorporate plant selections and arrangements throughout the seasons. For smaller projects? A sprig of eucalyptus in a pottery vase can completely change the energy of a room.
→ Love natural design? Let’s bring the outside in: Get Started
Personalizing Without Overwhelming
One of the most common concerns we hear from clients: “I want it to feel personal, but I don’t want clutter.”
Good news—you don’t need to choose between warmth and refinement.
At L+P, we help clients find that sweet spot. We’ve designed rooms with a collection of records, crystals, kids' drawings, rare books, and a collection of travel knick-knacks—every detail chosen intentionally and used sparingly.
"We have let a chair be a chair—everything doesn't have to be loud to be heard."
Sometimes the most subtle details tell the most powerful stories.
→ Have something special you want to incorporate? We’ll help it shine: Schedule a Consultation
Case Study: Breathing New Life Into a Client’s Story
A great example of meaningful accessorizing is the Belvedere Peninsula Home. The homeowners had lived abroad for many years and returned to the Bay Area with an assortment of items during their travels, both family-inherited items and more personal pieces.
Our task? Create a home that feels elegant, modern, and deeply personal.
We started with a fresh architectural shell—clean lines, expansive windows, neutral tones—and built a story from there. An antique mirror from Morocco found a home above a sleek entry console. A textile from the family’s time in Southeast Asia was reframed and used as art in the guest room. Sculptural ceramics from local artisans were layered in with subtle nods to their time abroad.
The result wasn’t just beautiful—it was emotionally resonant. The home felt like a reflection of their journey, not a showroom.
→ Ready to tell your home’s next chapter? Let’s begin
Working With L+P Interiors to Tell Your Design Story
Final touches aren’t the end of the process—they’re the full expression of it.
At L+P Interiors, we customize every part of the design process to your specifications - even if it’s just for the finishing touches of a room when a full renovation isn’t in the cards! Accessories are one of our favorite ways to finalize the transformation of a space.
We listen closely. We learn your rhythms, your references, your sentimental pieces. Then we help you edit, elevate, and layer them into your home in a way that’s timeless and true.
→ Whether you’re starting fresh or finishing strong, we’re here: Contact Us
The Power of the Personal
Accessories aren’t just pieces—they’re intersections of your life. The final layer of design is where memory meets meaning, where style meets story.
At L+P Interiors, we help you find and place those pieces with grace and simplicity. Not simply because they are aesthetically pleasing, but because they are genuinely and authentically yours.
→ Let’s tell your story through design. Book a consultation
