Accessories and Architecture: How Statement Pieces Shape Spaces
- Jennifer DeWitt
- Sep 17
- 3 min read
You know how some women have that magical ability to walk into a room and instantly become the most interesting person there? It’s rarely about their outfit being the most expensive or the most trendy. It’s usually about one perfectly chosen detail—the unexpected earrings, the vintage watch, the scarf tied just so.
Spaces work exactly the same way.
A room can have beautiful bones, perfect paint colors, and lovely furniture, but without the right statement pieces, it feels somehow unfinished. Safe. Forgettable. Add the perfect brass chandelier or the most gorgeous vintage mirror, and suddenly the entire space comes alive.
This is why I’m slightly obsessed with hardware.
Cabinet pulls, door handles, light switch plates, curtain rods—these are the jewelry of interior design. They’re the details most people overlook, but they’re also the details that separate a good room from an exceptional one.
I learned this lesson early in my career when a client had opted for basic builder-grade hardware to stay within budget. After the space was completely overhauled, it was nice, but something was obviously missing (and it was the statement hardware I’d shown in their presentation!). After a few weeks of living with it, she called me back to say they were trading it out for the original selection because the money they’d saved on the less expensive option just did not outweigh her ability to look past how lackluster it was.
Same cabinets, same layout, same everything, but with new hardware, and suddenly the space felt custom, intentional, expensive, the way it was designed to feel. The hardware had been the missing link between good and exceptional.
This principle extends far beyond kitchens. The right door handles can make a standard hollow-core door feel substantial. Beautiful curtain rods can turn basic panels into custom window treatments. Even upgrading your light switches to brass or matte black versions can make an entire room feel more curated.
It’s exactly like accessorizing an outfit. A simple black dress becomes sophisticated with pearl earrings and a silk scarf. A plain white button-down transforms into something special with a statement necklace and structured blazer.
The secret is choosing pieces that feel intentional rather than accidental.
In spaces, this means selecting hardware that complements your overall design scheme. If you’re going for classic traditional elegance, polished brass knobs feel appropriate. For a modern farmhouse vibe, an unlacquered brass that will patina naturally over time creates the right mood. Contemporary spaces might call for sleek, polished nickel or even lucite hardware.
The investment pays dividends in how the space feels and functions daily.
Every time you open a cabinet door or turn a light switch, you’re interacting with these details. When they’re thoughtfully chosen, these small interactions contribute to an overall sense of quality and intentionality in your home.
This attention to finishing details is something we’re bringing to our new personal styling services as well.
Just as the right hardware can elevate a room from good to exceptional, the right accessories can transform an outfit from merely put-together to absolutely memorable.
Ready to discover how strategic styling can elevate both your spaces and your personal presence? Email info@rachelcannonlimited.com to learn more about all of our services.
Whether we’re talking about your home or your wardrobe, the magic is always in the details.
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