Vignettes, those small, lovely scenes we create on surfaces around our houses, are what take our homes from merely well put together to personal, artistic, and unique. Also called tablescapes, they’re where we get to show off family heirlooms, weird collections and beautiful items we’ve collected. They’re more or less what art books were created for.

But there are rules. A good vignette has balance and forethought. We must consider color, height, theme, texture and mood. Which isn’t to say a perfect vignette can’t be created with a mishmash of unrelated items. Those are some of the best. But it is not cluttered. In fact, creating a vignette is a good way to prevent clutter. No one wants to mess up a pretty little scene by piling the mail on top of it.

Here are 15 lovely little vignettes to inspire and a few pointers for creating your own perfect arrangements.

See how to strut the latest patterns with a fashion-forward mix of of color and scale

Looking for unique and inexpensive ways to spruce up your walls or update your decor? Look no further than the wonders of fabric. Textiles have far more uses than simply covering your pillows. Available in styles and patterns galore, fabric can add both texture and color to a space, whether it be as hanging wall art or a new headboard cover. Check out the following shots for inspiration. You won’t be able to jump in the car to flee to Jo-Ann’s fast enough.

Does summertime make you think of grabbing a frozen treat? When you cannot decide which flavor of ice cream to grab, get a carton of neopolitan. Just about everyone can agree on it, whether they want to taste every flavor or just scoop out their favorite. When it comes to rooms, go for it and grab the full combination of pink, brown and white! Check out the variety of beautiful rooms in this palette below.

If you generally spend your free time in a form of creative expression, you’re probably well aware of the importance of a well planned studio. Arranging a space that speaks to you is always a good start, but taking the time to consider the functionality of your layout goes a long way as well. In addition, any area used for projects and undertakings can quickly become quite messy, pulling forth a need for simple organization tactics. Most of all, a studio should be a place you can go to unwind and hang out.

Although this may sound like a lot of rules for such a free-feeling space, it’s really easy to maintain once you find a routine. Read ahead to see 15 beautiful studios and what makes each one shine.

Indian, Asian, and North-African elements have been consistent influences on modern-day interior design. However, this trend of global chic has had a recent upsurge, due in part to the widespread impact of the Internet, which has allowed for many of these designs and products to be easily accessed and delivered. International design in every imaginable form is only a few clicks and key strokes away. Globalization has certainly helped put a diverse range of interior design styles and products at hand, but with such an incredible variety it can still be hard to figure out exactly how to put together a look. Sometimes just making a few random eBay purchases isn’t enough!

By blending together traditional aspects of Asian and Indian design with more modern colors and materials, these classic looks have a bit more flexibility in contemporary homes. Try incorporating singular elements into your home’s design, rather than attempting to pull off an entire look at once — this will allow you to completely customize it, and give your home a welcoming and well-traveled feel.