Home

[Oznell]

For those who might be interested in seeing interesting examples of mixing design styles:

Here are two designers who have comprehensively listed many (but not all!) design styles,  and have given good picture examples.  But they go beyond that in these short videos, and give tips on how to pleasingly mix more than one style.  Most people don't have just one style to which they're attracted, of course. 

Nick Lewis is a designer who's conversational, and his videos are really helpful to the layman.  His paint color reviews alone are worth checking out his channel, "Nick Talks Design".   But he made this video to answer viewers' demands for ways to incorporate more than one design style:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csaNwvPxFyY

Zahira Cury is an architect and designer, who is a bit more academic in her approach, with again, great insights and fun images of successfully-mixed design styles.  I think it was her video that showed even a rarely seen "Scandinavian/Glam" mix:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCAHNUwValc

Long story short, many professionals think you can mix design styles-- these particular designers, prefer no more than two.  They're believers in the 80%/20% idea, which isn't hard and fast, but suggests that you have the majority of your room in your "dominant" style, and then, the rest is your second favorite.  This allows your individual personality to show through, but avoids the pitfall of a chaotic "glut" of many polarized styles, ha.

Like most of us, I have a hard time narrowing down my preferences.   Sometimes I say I'm 'fresh' or "lean" (ha) traditional, with midcentury accents.   Or the seemingly polar opposites of "vintage- modern".  

I just know I have to have a little antique, a little retro, a little contemporary, in a balance that's pleasing to me, at least!  I'd say the proportion in my case is about 65-70% vintage or traditional, and 30-35% 'modern', encompassing midcentury and Art Deco and a little contemporary--  mostly, in my accessories.  The common denominator tying everything together, (I hope!) are my consistent color preferences across the board...

Of course, some people prefer an eclecticism that recognizes no limits whatsoever, and that can be fun too!      

[ECBG]

Looks very interesting.

[Desertdi]

My doctrine is:   "If it makes me smile, I buy it"

[jubilant]

    I have incorporated that 80/20% into my newly redecorated great room and am so pleased with the outcome. My room is most like Zahira's rustic/comtemporary  only replace the comtemporary with traditional and I get "rustic/traditional".  I agree with you.  I think most of us like several different styles and with a little tweaking we can have that.  For those of us who are trying to be frugal and not go to the expense of changing everything....... this really works!!!!

[Oznell]

Oh, that is very interesting, @jubilant .  I remember cheering the choices you described to us when you were decorating that room, and am so glad it turned out to your satisfaction.

Now I'm going to have to go back to Zahira Cury's video to see the room that you reference there, mentally making the substitution of "trad'l" for "contemporary".

I thought one of the weak points of both videos, is they have plenty of examples of currently popular styles like "Scandi" and even midcentury, glam, and boho mixed with other styles, but not that many of the the various types of "traditional" when melded with other styles.

I'm going to have to try to dig up more examples of those...

[jubilant]

---

@Oznell wrote:

Oh, that is very interesting, @jubilant .  I remember cheering the choices you described to us when you were decorating that room, and am so glad it turned out to your satisfaction.

Now I'm going to have to go back to Zahira Cury's video to see the room that you reference there, mentally making the substitution of "trad'l" for "contemporary".

I thought one of the weak points of both videos, is they have plenty of examples of currently popular styles like "Scandi" and even midcentury, glam, and boho mixed with other styles, but not that many of the the various types of "traditional" when melded with other styles.

I'm going to have to try to dig up more examples of those...

---

@Oznell   The room I picked on Zahira's video is on a  much more grand scale than mine.  However, if you painted the walls off/white, kept the  wood ceiling (in pine), kept similar carpet only in brown and taupe tones, add traditional couch and chairs with some rustic pieces like coffee table and farmhouse dining room furniture with transitional lighting and colors of cream, terra cotta, and blue you could have my room.  Right now there is no brick but we would like to add some built in shelving and possibly a fireplace to the end wall that all my furniture faces. Right now their is a huge mission style entertainment center there.

I hope you can find more examples.  I really enjoyed the videos.  Right now I'm working on adding some traditional objects and transitional art that will work with art pieces I would never part with no matter what my decor!   

[Oznell]

It sounds so warm and inviting, @jubilant ,  and as you know, I love the dynamic yet serene combo of colors you picked...  It's so stimulating to have an ongoing project!  Have fun integrating your newly acquired accessories and art pieces as you find them!

Will be on the hunt for more images.