How to Decorate with Staffordshire Dogs Without Making a Room Feel Fussy

Staffordshire dogs are one of those pieces that can go wrong only when they are treated too seriously. I like them because they bring charm, symmetry, and a little English eccentricity to a room.

The easiest place to use them is a mantel. A pair gives instant balance, especially with a mirror, small painting, or arrangement of candlesticks between them. They also work beautifully on a console, bookcase, bedside table, or tucked into a layered shelf with books and framed art.

My rule: let them be the wink in the room. Pair them with serious things: an antique mirror, old books, blue-and-white porcelain, a plain linen shade, or a strong piece of art. That contrast keeps them from feeling too sweet.

They also do not have to match perfectly. A little unevenness, crazing, or age is often what makes the pair feel real.

When they are styled with restraint, Staffordshire dogs feel less like collectibles and more like personality.