Blending Design: How one couple blended their very different styles to create a beautiful space

More and more couples are moving in together and with lots of stuff.  Since more people are finding that special someone later on in life, chances are they will also come with a moving van full of furniture and decor items.  Is it possible to blend totally different styles together and have a chic looking space? Will it just be endless arguing and compromise? No! Even if she loves sequins an he loves neutrals - you can find everyone's happy place. Take this design for example....With its strong, sculptural shapes, a judicious use of jewel-tone hues, and the graphic punch of contemporary art, Robert Brown's design for this couple's Atlanta house strikes the perfect balance

Dining Room

Mismatched chairs in the dining room contribute to its relaxed feeling. The tufted Madison by Hickory Chair and scoop-back Jacob chairs by Nancy Corzine are covered in complementary Classic Cloth fabrics for unity, and two vintage chairs are covered in red leather for flair. Angelo chandelier by Paul Ferrante. C-Leg table, New Classics.

Kitchen

The kitchen islands are topped with Imperial Grey marble and edged in a band of riveted iron. A. Rudin stools are upholstered in DeLany & Long's Breaker to match walls painted in Benjamin Moore's Natural Linen. Clinton chandelier by Paul Ferrante. Antique scale, Parc Monceau.

Entry Hall

The bold pattern of a custom-made, zebra-inspired rug from Stark energizes the monochromatic palette in the entry hall. Wilson settee by Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman

Living Room

 A mix of neutral tones and pops of tomato red and some elegant touches with the mirrored details, candle scones really blend the two styles together nicely in the room to create great balance

 

Master Bedroom

Ceiling, walls, and trim are all painted the same color — Benjamin Moore's Berkshire Beige — to create a serene backdrop in the master bedroom. Curtains in Threads' Hush melt into walls. Designer Robert Brown says he chose the Oushak rug from Keivan Woven Arts because it "feels as warm as an old blanket," and he picked David Iatesta's Marseille chandelier "for romance."





 It is the combination of these different styles that create a truly unique space for this couple to build a life together and it is the differences that make this a stunning space.  When you mix the unexpected together (with a careful eye for detail) the end result is gorgeous! 

The New Home Decor Styles

In the past few years we have really seen some new styles emerge.  Hybrids or mixtures of the 6 basic design styles: modern, contemporary, formal, country, traditional and eclectic.

Why is this happening? There are a few reasons.

1.  Couples are moving in and/or getting married later in life.  Many of them have lived on their own for some time (rented or purchased).  They had furniture pieces of their own and now that they are in a serious relationship they are merging their items with their partners'.  So this is leading to a mix of styles under one roof.

2.  The economy is causing people to make decisions on what they like and really want.  It is best to spend your money on pieces you love that are quality - that way you know you will love it for years to come and not just depose of it.  Also couples and singles are building their look over time.  Gone are the days when you would show up to a department store and purchase your entire living room or dining room in one big purchase. Sometimes we are inheriting pieces and we need to blend them into our existing look.

Remember if you are combining styles together try and stick to the 80/20 rule.  80% of the room should fit into one style and the other 20 % can be one other style or a mix of two.

Some of the 'new' styles we are seeing:

Rustic Elegant


The open shelving unit and the authentic look of the table make it more casual and fit into the rustic style but the sofa, the area rug and the accent chair have a very traditional and elegant look and feel with the shape and colour choices.

Modern Country
 
 This image shows a very streamlined space so that fits with the modern side but the accents of wood on the walls, the rustic feel of the wood furniture and the theme of the art fall within the country side.

Vintage Modern




This image shows a blend of vintage and modern pieces - the art arrangement, the classic modern chairs and end tables, the white streamlined sofa and pops of bold colour.

Classic Contemporary







This image shows off the classic of design like symmetry and balance and the power of repetition but the colour palette is more contemporary.

We are even seeing a lot of furniture pieces that are blending two styles.  Chairs is probably the best example of that - we are seeing a lot of traditional chairs in funky upholstery or take the Ghost chair - another classic shape but in plexiglass

 

Boy meets girl...his style meets her style...

So, boy meets girl ... they get along well for a few months (or more) and well, they then decide to move in together....probably not the way most of our parents would like to see us meet our match but that's how it is happening for many of us.  And the days of having the big splashy wedding shower where friends and family outfit your new home with everything you've ever dreamed of....that seems to be a way of the past as well.

More and more couples are choosing to live together before marriage and some skip the 'marriage' thing all together and start having children.

OK, so what in the world does this have to do with home decor??

Well, people are meeting their life partners later in life.  Many of us are living on our own and have our own places before we find that special someone.  Which means we have our own stuff and when our stuff meets his/her stuff it can be a tricky combination.

In my opinion, this is where and why we are starting to see new styles emerge.  We can no longer really put labels on a couple home decor like contemporary or country, it's more like this...rustic elegant or modern vintage. 

So how do we make different styles work together under the same roof?  Well, balance is so important.  Balancing out the elements of each style in a room.  so instead of having a rustic 'let's go to the lodge' looking living room and 'glamour in Paris' looking dining room in the same house.  You mix the styles together and create a style that reflects the both of you.



So take this image for example, the combination of the industrial chairs and light fixtures are a nice counter balance to the soft and subtle wall colour and table linens.  The table has a rustic top but again the cream base softness up the look of it.  The glass elements and the greenery add some feminine touches too.  the big clock wall feature has a 'found design' look and it makes a bold statement.




Another great mix of styles...There are more than 2 styles here.  You've got a modern coffee table, a contemporary streamlined sofa in a grey felt, modern photography mixed with a traditional mirror and a rustic rug but all together it really works and this is truly a person with a sense of style



I call this style - rustic elegance- see how the wood and the clean and sophisticated elements balance each other out.  They are opposites but they work well together.  The combination of the white on white, the upholstered chairs, the mirror, the candles and the floral arrangements mixed with the cast iron, the reclaimed wood with lots of character and depth, make this room truly special.

So here are some tips to mixing your styles:

- you need balance in the room, so be sure that the main two are featured.  If you have too many in one room and not one is really standing out - it looks like a garage sale, aim for an 80/20 mix.  80% being one style (the dominant) and the toher 20% can be another style or a mix of other styles.

- use the items you love and the stuff you don't donate or toss. If you love a piece you will always, always have a space for it.

- be willing to compromise with your partner, so if she really wants the ultra modern glass dining table then you should be able to hang your cabin inspired wall art

- think about how an item could be re purposed....a wild paint colour or fabric can make a traditional piece more modern, a country inspired art piece can look really modern and fresh once it is re-framed, so keep an open and creative mind

Yes - you can work together to get this done but remember decorating a space to reflect your personal styles and tastes takes time, so enjoy the journey and don't forget it is fun to buy some pieces together!