Style Your Home with Meaning: How Vignettes Changed the Way I See My Space

Written by Leslie Rivers

During my very first September Collective photo shoot, our stylists casually said, “We’ll build a few vignettes around the room.” I did the slow nod of Black professionalism—but in my head I was thinking, 'Vignettes? That sounds like something you’d serve with a sprig of parsley.' Then, as I watched them group a few pieces on a side table—coffee table book, candleholder, a small handcrafted basket, and a stool off to the side—I had an aha moment: Wait… so this is a thing?

When I first heard the word vignette, it felt unfamiliar—like something foreign to me. But it turns out I had already been styling them in my home long before I knew what they were—and you probably have too.

It was finding out that the way I’ve been obsessively arranging books, baskets, and candles for years, to style my home with meaning, was an actual design technique—and not just me doing the most. 

Welcome to the world of room vignettes: the not-so-secret tool for telling your story through decor.

What Is a Room Vignette?

Every home has that catch-all spot — the kitchen counter, side table, or hallway ledge where life just piles up. You know — the spot quietly collecting keys, mail, and yesterday’s receipts. If your space feels a little chaotic but you’re not calling in a designer, a well-placed vignette might be the soft reset you need.

A room vignette is a small, styled grouping of objects—usually anchored by a piece of furniture or art—that creates a moment of style, meaning, and storytelling in your home.

Think of it as the visual version of a short story. One corner, one shelf, one table… but packed with personality.

You’ll find them on:

• Entryway consoles

• Kitchen counters

• Living Room centre & side tables

• Bedroom corners & night tables

• Floating shelves

• Hallway benches

Or anywhere you want to say “this space matters.”

At September Collective, we call this storytelling through decor—and for me, it’s become a way to ground myself, reflect my roots, and find joy in small details.

Why Style a Vignette?

Here’s what a well-styled vignette can do for you:

1. Encourages intentionality by creating a focal point (especially when your space feels flat or cluttered).

2. Creates visual boundaries while showcasing artisan home accents, heirlooms, or statement pieces.

3. Transforms clutter into calm and replaces unorganized items with a curated arrangement that feels grounded.
4. Infuses warmth, memory, and identity into any room, where forgotten corners can feel purposeful.

And if you’re like me—constantly rearranging things at 10pm because a candle feels wrong—it becomes a form of therapy too.

7 Elements of a Meaningful Room Vignette

Styling a vignette isn’t necessarily about buying more—it’s about curating with care.

Choose pieces that bring meaning, function, or beauty into the space. As William Morris said, “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” A vignette does both.

A few well-chosen, handcrafted pieces can transform an ordinary corner into a soulful statement. Here’s how I learned to break it down:

1. The Anchor Piece

Start with your base. This is your vignette’s stage.

• A heritage inspired hallway console

• A hand-carved bench

• A sculptural stool

In my home, I styled an accent chair right beneath my hanging Bolga wall fans. I wasn’t thinking about design rules, I was just balancing out a space that felt unfinished. Turns out, I was following good design instincts.

2. Backdrop

Create the backdrop for your story.

• Wall art, mirror, or woven wall hanging

• Try our “Interwoven Grace” Canvas or a Bolga Decorative Fan.

Think of it like your ancestors watching over the scene. In many African traditions, the walls hold memory. Give it something to say.

3. Surface Styling

The visual centerpiece that ties it all together.

• Stack books, add small baskets, trays(great for holding keys), or a candle 

• Use odd numbers (3, 5) to keep it visually interesting

Fun fact: My first attempt at “styling a surface” was a messy stack of magazines topped with a candle. It looked a bit carefree and not quite as polished as I would have liked, but we all have to start somewhere!

4. Vertical Elements

Let’s add a little upward elegance.

• Add branches to a Baba Tree Jemima 10 Cows Tiny Basket

• Add a tall sculpture or a lamp

It’s like raising your decor’s vibration. Tall things give energy—and a little drama.

5. Personal Touches

This is where the soul of your space shows up.

• A framed photo

• A keepsake box filled with letters or recipes

• An object that carries the spirit of where you’ve traveled.

Your vignette should whisper your story. Or shout it—your choice.

6. Textiles (Optional)

Use textiles to add some colour, softness and depth with:

• A draped Villa Aburi Throw

• A cushion tucked into a basket

• A woven rug beneath your vignette

In African homes, textiles are never just for warmth. They tell lineage. They mark occasions. Let them ground your space.

7. Lighting

Let the light do some storytelling.

• Position near natural light if you can

• Add a candle or a small lamp

Try our Ball Tekura Tealight Candleholder—it adds a soft glow that makes everything look intentional (even when it’s not).

How to Style a Room Vignette: Step-by-Step

1. Choose your anchor: Bench, console, or side table

2. Build the backdrop: Wall art or mirror

3. Layer objects: Books, baskets, candles, accents

4. Play with scale: Tall meets small

5. Add personal meaning: Objects that speak to you

6. Introduce texture: With throws or artisan pillows

7. Finish with lighting: Natural, ambient, or candlelight

8. Step back and refine: If it feels cluttered, edit

9. Pause. Sip tea. Admire.

What I’ve Learned from Styling Vignettes

"A single bracelet does not jingle." – Congolese Proverb

That’s how I feel about interior styling. I love the idea that beauty, strength, or impact isn’t found in isolation—it’s found in togetherness, in layering, in personal expression. Much like a vignette, which is made richer by the combination of pieces, not just one perfect item.

I didn’t start with a designer’s eye. I started with a feeling. A need to make my home more me. Vignettes gave me the language for what I was already doing instinctively—creating connection through objects, memories, and beauty. Below is a little vignette from my home. Not perfectly styled, and yes—clearly taken with my iPhone—but I love it. Every piece holds meaning, and together they quietly tell a story(even if the lighting isn’t doing them any favours). It's a work in progress.

Ready to Style Your Own Vignette?

Every handcrafted piece at September Collective is chosen with one goal: to help you style your home with intention, joy, and soul. From modern African home decor to artisan home accents, we’re here to help you create corners that speak volumes—without saying a word.

➡️ Shop the Collection

➡️ Take our Handcrafted Basket Quiz and find that perfect basket!

➡️ Or simply start with what you love—and build your story from there.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a design degree or a big budget to style a meaningful home. You just need to notice the small things.

The open space on your kitchen counter.

The basket by your front door.

A still corner of the house that whispers, this is your place.

Let your home reflect your heritage and your hope. Styling a vignette is a conversation, not a conclusion.

Shop the Look: Artisan Finds for Your Vignette

Curated, handcrafted pieces to help you style meaningful vignettes in any space.