How to set the right vibe

In her Masterclass and an Instagram reel, Wearstler shares hands-on tips on how to create an impactful vibe tray.

1. Keep it flexible

Each room gets its own vibe tray, and nothing on it is permanent. Design is a dynamic process, involving ever-growing, ever-changing ideas. So if one element doesn’t work, it can be replaced. Being open to new ideas drives creative flow.

2. Go for a variety of materials

Any vibe tray worth its salt will feature a range of materials, from stone and metal to wood and plaster. Each material creates its own effect, allowing you to imagine how it could be used within the space.

3. Look at the materials in person

Wearstler recommends looking at and touching materials in person. This could involve visiting a quarry, fabric store or carpenter’s workshop. Materials’ texture, weight and aesthetic characteristics provide major clues to understanding how they’ll affect a room. It’s a good idea to experiment with and take away more samples than you actually need, as they might be handy for future design projects.

4. Create harmony

The materials on your vibe tray should work well together visually. High-gloss paint in combination with polished stone can create a dramatic look, while matt finishes paired with textured stone achieve a calmer aesthetic.

5. Texture matters

Texture brings movement and depth to a room. Plaster creates light reflections through its irregularities, while wood provides warmth and a sense of naturalness. Make sure you mix and match textures such as wood and metal to see how they’ll look in different lighting conditions.

Trays can be used both before and after you dress a room

Kelly Wearstler’s vibe tray technique serves as more than just a creative tool used to determine the character of a space before it’s designed. It also serves as inspiration beyond that, and becomes a design element in itself.