After the rugs are rolled out, the furniture is placed, and the last light fixture is wired in, one final layer makes a house feel personal: what we at Duet affectionately call the smalls.
You didn’t buy these things for a design scheme—you collected them along the way. Framed notes from your kids. Candlesticks from that perfect little shop in Florence. Your favorite books, the ones with worn spines and coffee rings on the covers. These are the pieces that tell your story.
At Duet, this final layer is never an afterthought. Here’s how Devon approaches it—and how you can, too:
SHOP YOUR OWN STUFF.
We start by gathering all your meaningful objects in one spot—often a dining table or kitchen island—and style using the personal items that reflect your life and taste. The goal isn’t to fill shelves; it’s to tell your story across the spaces you live in.
PUT THINGS WHERE THEY DON’T BELONG (IN THE BEST WAY).
That stack of art books? Try them on a sideboard with a sculptural bowl. Those candlesticks you always use for holidays? Give them a new home on the mantel. The unexpected creates the magic.
MAKE IT MINI BUT MIGHTY.
A small art easel turns an illustrated book or your teenager’s watercolor into a moment. No frame required. And no one said you can’t rotate these “exhibits” like a personal gallery.
MIX OLD WITH NEW, MODERN WITH SENTIMENTAL.
Your sleek powder room might just need that ornate vintage mirror from your grandmother. A crusty old book (the more cracked leather, the better) softens a minimalist corner. It’s the contrast that gives it soul.
DON’T RUSH TO FILL THE GAPS.
Sometimes, a little breathing room is just what a space needs. Let it evolve. Next time you travel, bring back something small and meaningful—a handmade bowl, a tiny sketch, something that reminds you of yourself.
And maybe the best part? You don’t need a renovation to do this. You just need a Saturday morning and a fresh eye. Move things around. Tell a new story. You’ll be surprised by what you already have.
Want a designer who helps bring your story home?
We’d love to meet you. Reach out anytime.
