How to Mix Different Styles To Create a Beautiful Interior.
Let’s get real, we don’t live in a magazine.
Few people have the kind of perfect homes we see in magazines. These beautiful rooms follow a specific style down to the slightest detail. But this is not real life. The rooms in the magazine don’t have to contend with the reality. No end table you inherited from grandma. No tight decorating budget. No ugly but comfy chair your spouse can’t part with. This is what we deal with when decorating our spaces. Incorporating existing items we love with beautiful new buys is a true art form.
But don’t worry, you can mix and match elements and create a beautiful home by following a few simple tips.
MAKE A CLEVER USE OF COLOR.
Mitch and match the color to create a coherent look in the room.
Color is a great unifying force to blend different styles.
There are various ways to use color to pull a room together.
You can use the same tone of a particular color. You can also use divers tones of the same color within different elements of a room.
Color has a bold impact in the decor of your home. It is an easy way to show your personality while pulling the design details together. For example, match a blue Victorian chair and a contemporary painting with similar tones. Although the styles are different, the pairing of the blue tones will bring cohesion. By using color, you can blend various styles and create an elegant look. Don’t forget to add pops of vibrant colors. Pair electric red, blue, or green details with bigger neutral items. Carry this same vibrant color throughout the accessories, artwork and window treatments. Remember to be vigilant about the tones and hues of your colors. All blues are not made the same! Attention to details make the feel of the room.
Attention to color help you create a beautiful and coherent space.
USE THE SHAPES.
Geometric shapes are a great way to mix different styles.
Shape is another great way to unify the different elements in your room.
Certain styles are easy to pair with others because of shape.
For example, Mid-Century Modern is easy to match with many style. Contemporary, Art Deco, Shaker, Industrial or even Arts and Crafts styles, you name it.
You can also pair the typical sharp lines and geometric shapes with retro and vintage items.
Victorian pieces pair best with Edwardian, Gothic, Early American, and even Shabby Chic styles. The styles share similar curvilinear and floral shapes found within their design motifs.
Pay attention to the lines in your furniture. For example match the circles from your Early American chair to the sleeker curves of an Art Deco desk.
Pair the geometric legs of a mid-century dining chair to the sharp lines of an industrial dining table.
Identify and pull together the pieces you own that share similar patterns and shapes. Pairing similar shapes allows you to create beautiful and elegant rooms. It is also a great way to try out new furniture styles.
WOOD AND STAIN.
Pull together a room by working on the wood finishings.
Wood and its stain are a great way to unify your styles.
A simple way to pair different styles is to match the wood and finishings.
Pair furniture according to their stain or wood finishing. Different type of wood take stain in a different way. For example, mahogany and cherry take on a reddish hue when stained. Oak and walnut take on an almost neutral black undertone when stained in a dark hue. Certain species of wood look amazing together. I love to see teak and bamboo paired with pine. There is nothing like the play of grain and tone when you combine walnut and ash. Adding a rustic piece is another way to add dynamism to your room.
Wood colors should always complement each other.
SIZE MATTERS.
Play with the size of your furniture.
When revamping your room, take the scale into account.
Sizing your pieces is another way to bring cohesiveness to the room.
Pairing same size pieces together allows your eye to better understand the room. I love to play with scale when adding art in a room. For example, you can add a lot of various artworks to a wall as long as they all share the same scale. This technique creates a gallery effect. I also love the glamour of pairing a large sofa with an oversized art piece. It creates a spectacular statement for the room.
Working on scale allows the eye to find patterns and equilibrium in the room.
FOLLOW THE LINE.
Creating lines is very important when it comes to unify a room.
Pay attention to the lines your furniture creates throughout the room.
Pair a Low-Slung sofa with a long cabinet on the opposite wall. You will find the same horizontal lines in the two elements. Be careful not to be boring though. Windows and doors are also important lines in your room. Have two or three pieces that share vertical or horizontal lines to create unity. Find these elements in the shape of your furniture or within the small decorating items.
Pair elements with similar patterns and lines.
ADD TEXTURE.
Playing with the textures is both fun and efficient when you want to create a nice look for the room.
Texture is one of best and easiest elements to use when designing a home.
One cannot beat the warmth fabric gives to a room. Textures are often found in fabrics, but also on wood, metals and glass. Like color and shape, look for similar textures and pair the elements. Display industrial metal accessories on a traditional wood rack with a glossy finishing.
Be creative. Throw in an unexpected texture. Surprising textures create an instant focal point. For example, you could add a rustic architectural element to a contemporary room.
Use texture to add excitement and energy to your space.
LET YOUR SPACE TELL YOUR STORY.
There are many ways to bring cohesiveness and sophistication to your home.
Remember to look for similarities within your pieces. Pair the elements to create a unified look. Break the rules and pair items that speak to you. The unbreakable rule of design is to only own what you love. Fill your space with elements that speak to you and your family. By following this rule you’ll create a beautiful home that displays your personality. Your home should tell a story – your story. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. It’s okay to decorate your room by trial and error. Even professional designers have to play with spaces to get them just right. Pay attention and each space will tell you what it needs. Hear what your space is telling you!
DESIGN CONSULTANT. OFFICIAL CONTRIBUTOR.
Stephanie Jones is a designer and artist for PaperCanvasEtc in Burke, Virginia.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina.
Stephanie creates abstract art from various media such as watercolor, oil, acrylic & found materials. She integrates her art, vintage finds and furniture that she refinishes to achieve updated aesthetics for her clients. Stephanie Jones is married to Greg, has three children, and a dog -named Scarlett.
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