Home stylist Noelle Wright is Utah’s go-to for design professionals looking to polish their projects for portfolio shots. We sat down with her to learn the top tricks for home styling.
MB: What separates styling from interior design?
NW: There’s a big difference between capturing the project in 2D and how clients actually live in it. My styling is for the camera—their work is meant to be experienced from all sides.
MB: What does that shift to 2D look like, practically?
NW: We essentially deconstruct the room’s decor and accessories and rebuild it for each camera angle. Sometimes, a chair can be four feet away from a table, but on the screen it looks right. It all depends on the angle of the shot.
MB: What are key items in your styling tool kit?
NW: Fresh flowers are a favorite. I bring a lot of vases, books and bowls in various sizes and materials. I also have a lot of throws and vintage pieces that we introduce for that sense of patina and to help a space feel like it was curated over years. Then, from a more practical perspective, I always have tape, clippers and a little vacuum for emergencies.
MB: What are the big misses you see happening in styling?
NW: Scale and arrangement of accessories. I like to deliberately place things so that the eye can wander, and layer textures so that every part of the shot feels full, balanced and proportionate. In everyday homes, I see people going too small. A house eats accessories. Rather than getting lots of little things, try to bring in larger-scale items to help shelves and tables feel full.
MB: What feelings are you hoping to evoke with your styling?
NW: The overall mood is really dependent on the project, but at the end of the day, I want each shot to feel like someone just walked out of the frame. I think the goal of a photoshoot is to make each room feel inviting, like the viewer could step right into the shot and start living in that space.
