House and Home May 2015 / Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Hi friends! Long time no see! I really didn’t intend to fall off the face of the planet on the blog front last week. Promise! I’ve had a few hectic weeks trying to juggle some big projects and deadlines, as well as some unexpected situations that came up and complicated my schedule (plus family, work, life, and everything in between).
I just needed to hit pause on a few things for a minute so I could focus on the tasks in front of me. It’s important to do that sometimes, you know? That being said, all is well, and thank you for your patience! I do have a few posts in the works that will update you on some of things I’ve been up to (including sharing our bedroom makeover, complete with the new shutters!).
Until then, I wanted to answer a reader question!
Last week on my bedroom post, a reader asked about how I “connect the design dots” as I called it in order to create a more cohesive style in a home. When you have several different styles or even a few colors you like, your home can go through some awkward phases, can’t it? I totally get that problem! I’ll be sharing some of the ways I’m doing that in my own home soon.
Trying to create a cohesive design throughout a home or even in a room can feel tricky, particularly if you are working with a mix of pieces you’ve collected over time. The good news is your home will be unique, and tying things together is a lot easier than you might fear.
I’ve written posts on this topic and shared examples and ideas in my decorating books, but it’s been awhile since we’ve talked about it so here’s a short answer to blending a mix of styles.
Create Continuity.
I think it’s totally fine to use several different styles of furniture, or use a variety of items you’ve collected over time. For instance, you don’t have to pare down to “farmhouse” everything or stick to an only black and white palette to streamline your style. There are other ways to do it!
If you want to pull a mix of pieces together, I find it helps to create some sort of continuity around the room and around your home.
House and Home / Photographer:Michael Graydon / Designer:Anne Hepfer
What elements can help you create continuity?
1. Color
Simply repeating a color several times within a room or around your home will make a big difference. The repeat of a color tells your eye the space holds together! The same is true for wood tones. You can definitely mix various wood tones, but repeating one several times connects pieces around the room.
2. Pattern
Take a pattern and repeat it! It can be as simple as using two or three pillows in the same pattern fabric on a sofa, or one large patterned rug can bring together various pieces of furniture.
3. Architecture
Anything architectural in your home can be repeated to bring greater continuity to the style. Repeat the same style of doors or hardware throughout, consistent molding or repeated a style in several rooms, repeat metals in faucets or lighting, or use consistent flooring throughout the house. Even if you can’t do all of those things, do what you can. Your eye will pick up on the repetition.
4. Accessories
Two matching lamps can bring continuity. Several accessories in the same color scheme or shape can make the design feel more intentional and help draw your eye around the room.
5. Style
Even if you love a lot of styles you want to incorporate in a room, repeat at least one style (or even a shape of furniture) enough that it pulls everything else together (a matching set of chairs, for instance, can work well). To use farmhouse as an example again, if you love farmhouse but want a mix of styles in your home, adding one farmhouse style antique in several rooms can be enough to make the statement.
You can even create style continuity with a repeated shape, like having several straight-lined pieces in your home, for instance.
So, what is your style?
Do you have an eclectic mix or do you tend to stick to one style?
Want to create a home you can’t wait to come home to? I can help with that!
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this is great tips for me to start thinking about. i am a new homeowner and love open concept and midcentury modern aesthetics. our living room and dining is basically the same room and the dining area has only two asian style framed art on the wall. would using some additional asian art that was gifted to me (but not in the same style of painting or frame) work to create continuity between LR and DR? thank you so much for your blog!!!!!
Thank you so much for addressing the question from your last post! This is helpful and shows me that I was probably overthinking it, too. When I think of continuity, I think of a model home that nails the concept, but also comes off as sterile and, well, just like a model home. Surrounding yourself with things you love and that have personal meaning to you is a design practice I learned from you early on and it has changed the way I decorate and has helped me get rid of things that don’t fit that criteria. I will also go back and re-read your older posts linked to this article. I hope things are settling down for you this week and I hope nothing bad is going on. Positive thoughts from all of us!! Have a great week and remember that taking a break in your day to cuddle the doggies always lowers the stress levels :)
I am a cottage style girl, and really love English Cottage style! I think I love it because you can use eclectic items and different styles of furniture. It is a warm and inviting style, too.
Love your tips, Melissa! For me, it comes down to having a plan. Once I get a plan in place I have more decorating freedom. Guess we all need boundaries in life and in decor. They help us become better people and our homes more beautiful. Funny how that works. Creating a sanctuary in this tiny apartment on a short shoestring has been a good challenge. In my case… a large patterned rug… totally different than anything I would have ever done in the past… and a quart of SW Useful Gray brushed on various surfaces made the difference. I still have a ways to go but it’s coming. Thanks always for being so inspiring. ;) Funny last night I was wondering what you were up to, busy lady! Glad to see you today! xo
Great post, Melissa! You bring simplicity to the complex!
Great post! I’ve been around long enough to see so many trends come and go. The farmhouse thing will go, too, at some point. I think the most interesting homes are the ones that have “matured”, where homeowners have kept things they loved from different periods, used items they inherited and loved even if a different style and added to with time and need. If you pay attention to those elements you mention, it all seems to work.
I like your thinking.
I was clearing out a bookcase the other day and came across a collection of “country decorating” how to books from the 1970’s. I wondered if anyone had kept that style. It certainly was as big as the farmhouse style is now. Your mentioning “this will go, too” made me nod and smile. I believe in having what you love around you and if you’re happy that’s your style! But I’m always curious about what others like and have. Love Melissa’s taste.
Developing confidence in decorating has been a gradual process for me over the years, and one thing that helps me is to slow down the entire process. It allows me to think about it and look around to see what works and what doesn’t…
This is a fantastic post! I have always had an issue with this, but your article has given me the confidence to try and get my home to be cohesive! I will be trying out your tips a lot more.
Thank you!
Thank you so much for the great tips. And you gave me permission to use many of the things I’ve collected over the years. Like my milk glass Ha Ha
I think I have a lodge-glam with a touch of farmhouse style. ?
I loved you discussing this topic. Thanks for writing this, Color has made a big difference with how we’ve brought space together, it’s a work in progress though, but that’s also what makes it fun.
My home resembles your style a lot (you’ve taught me a lot, and I get compliments when friends visit:) but I also have several white, chippy, vintage architectural pieces that I love (a door, set of corbels, a window, porch spindles) that I’m having trouble fitting in well…
Yay!! That’s so cool, thank you! Sometimes I have to move items to a different room if they just aren’t working in a main space. My office works better for my antique secretary and dresser, for instance!
Thank you so much for this post! I have been following your blog for awhile. I love your style sense, It’s very hard for the novice to create a cohesive style because decorating can be so overwhelming at times. Your post has made it easier to understand. If you’re starting fresh with all new furnishings it’s a lot easier. But if you have to work with existing furnishings like me , it’s harder. Thank you and please continue your blog because it’s so helpful. Colette ?
I have dark oak flooring throughout my house, except for the bedrooms; they are carpeted. I need to replace the carpet in my master BR, and bcs I have two dogs that shed, I was going to put hardwood down, instead of another carpet. Do I have to match up to the flooring that flows thru the main house? (I want a dark gray – is that a bad idea?