15-Minute Makeovers

Cool and Contemporary

Fill the prime piece of real estate in front of your sofa with the right building blocks. The key is to use objects of varying heights.

This dark wood table is a study in rectangles. Go with the theme, and arrange a shapely collection of accessories (square plates, tall cylinders, and an oval bowl) on top of it. The final result is like a geometry lesson with style.

Low: Apples are too traditional for this mod vignette, so opt for something with more zest. Limes are lovely on stacked square plates.

Middle: Sunny lemons become something special in a sculptural bowl. They also add a spot of cheerful color.

High: Gain height from a trio of slim bottles.