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Being a stylist means that shopping is mandatory in my life (dream job!). But when I changed careers from Domino editor to interiors styling, I began to see products in a whole new way. Sure, a beloved designer may have dropped a buzzy collab, but if the glazed ceramic vase is too shiny, it will never photograph well. Or maybe the vase does have the perfect glaze, but the opening is too small and flowers will look awkward coming out of it (major pet peeve, for the record.)
I have a prop closet in my basement with shelves of vases, bowls, candle holders, and little objects that make a home photoshoot-ready. One of my favorite rituals is a lap through the Chelsea flea market on my Saturday morning walk, where I have collected dozens of special vintage vessels for under $30. But when I need something specific in a pinch, West Elm has become a strong go-to.
West Elm is a resource for the neutral, natural, and simplified; beautiful, timeless shapes that could accentuate numerous designer projects without dominating. I want props I can use again and again, and the following items from West Elm are exactly that, ready to live a long life in front of the camera.
Ceramic Bud Vases
I recently had a designer purchase these bud vases from Pierce & Ward’s West Elm collab for a shoot, and promptly bought them for myself after. They can hold short or tall flowers, and read as neutral without being black, white, or beige.
Woven Bowls
Low baskets and low bowls are a stylist’s best friend. They can break up a grid of books on a coffee table, serve as a partner to a lamp on an entry table, and truly be whatever you need them to be.
Sculptural Taper Holders
It’s amazing what a single candle holder can add to a surface: a touch of old world romance, height to draw the eye up, and, sometimes, a hit of natural texture. Changing up the color of the candle makes this an easy prop to pull out frequently.
Shelf-Filling Baskets
Whether you’re a stylist or homeowner, filling wall-to-wall shelves can be exhausting. Taking up some of that space with baskets is a go-to trick. It also happens to be a calming rest for the eyes, as too many books and objects can feel like clutter.
Light and Airy Trays
These trays caught my eye with their blocky feet, which gives them an airiness and allows light to travel beneath. Perfect for a desk scene, the simplified style reminds me of something you’d see in Japan.
Glassware That Pops
I’m all about the open kitchen shelf movement, but there are a few things to keep in mind when filling them for a photo shoot. For one, crystal clear glass can get lost, so you want something with a bit of tint or chunkiness to it. This recycled Mexican glassware will stand out just enough, and would also look great in a casual outdoor dining scene.
A Bedside Buddy
It’s easy to get stuck in a beside table formula: Book, lamp, flower. But mixing in an additional lifestyle element, like a carafe, can be a nice way to mix things up. I love the classical orb shape of this one, and I find it incredibly satisfying that the dip in the drinking glass fits perfectly into the bottle’s opening.