The Velvet Hour Living Room · 5 min read
How to style a decorative sphere on a shelf or console
The Sphere, an oversized 7.75 inch stainless steel decorative ball in glossy fig, and how one bold color object anchors a shelf.
By The Dana Studio ·
One shape, doing one job well
At 7.75 inches, the Sphere is large enough to register from across a room without needing a pedestal or stand, and its stainless steel construction gives it genuine weight, so it sits solidly rather than sliding around on an open shelf. The glossy fig finish is a rich, dark plum-brown that reads as a single, confident color note rather than a pattern, which is exactly the role a sphere like this should play in a room.
Because a sphere has no front or back, it can be rotated or repositioned without ever needing to be 'faced' a particular way, which makes it one of the easiest objects to slot into an existing shelf arrangement.
Why one bold color object beats several
A room already built on neutrals, wood, linen, stone, generally only needs one saturated color object per shelf or vignette to feel finished. Introducing the Sphere's fig tone once, rather than trying to echo it in two or three other pieces nearby, keeps that color reading as a deliberate accent instead of diluting it into a matched scheme.
If a room already has a strong color elsewhere, a patterned pillow or a piece of art, placing the Sphere in a different zone of the room lets each color moment stand on its own rather than competing for attention in the same sightline.
See The Sphere Decorative Ball, Fig — photos, pricing and delivery →
Grouping it with other objects
The Sphere works well as the lowest, roundest shape in a small grouping of two or three objects of varying height, a stack of books, a taller vase, with the sphere placed in front so its glossy surface catches light. Its glossy finish also picks up reflections from nearby lamps or windows, so placing it where it catches some ambient light shows off the material more than a shadowed corner shelf would.
Where it fits in a living room
A coffee table, a floating shelf, a bookshelf, or a console are all natural homes, anywhere the room could use one compact, weighted color note. Because of its solid stainless steel build, it also works as a literal paperweight or bookend companion on a desk shelf that spills into a living space.
Common questions
- How many decorative objects should I group with the Sphere?
- Usually one or two others of varying height works best, a book stack or a taller vase, so the sphere reads as the grounding shape in a small, varied grouping.
- Is fig too dark a color for a small shelf object?
- No, because it's a single compact object rather than a large surface, the glossy fig tone reads as a rich accent rather than overwhelming the shelf.
- Does the Sphere need a stand or base?
- No, its solid stainless steel construction gives it enough weight and stability to sit directly on a shelf or table without a stand.
Shop the categories in this guide
- Decor — Small pieces with weight to them. Resin floor vases, porcelain sets and mouth-blown glass.
See it styled in a room
The Sphere Decorative Ball, Fig appears in The Velvet Hour Living Room, styled with the rest of the pieces it was chosen alongside.
Shop The Velvet Hour Living Room