The Case For Mismatching When It Comes To Design

One of the things that seems to worry my clients the most is whether or not something matches. I completely understand this thinking because you want your home to flow and feel cohesive. I also think it’s hard to visualize spaces when they don’t seemingly match or go together in our mind. Even after years of designing, I still have to create a concept board to see the larger picture, so I get it when we think that something doesn’t coordinate well together we won’t like it, but hear me out! You must trust the process! Good designers are able to coordinate colors and fabric throughout a home, but great designers are able to coordinate a home with all kinds of different textures, tones, and colors. I often know I’m in the presence of greatness when I have a minute of “where is this going?” thinking. A great designer is like a magician-they are able to pull everything together at the end, and you couldn’t imagine it any other way. Let me show you some examples of spaces that have succeeded in this.

Let's start off with this beautiful dining room from Katie Davis Design. First, let's imagine that I were to tell a client who wanted a lot of color that we should use turquoise chairs with a baby blue ceiling, green and yellow wallpaper, a gold lamp, red flowers in blue vases, and dark wood. They would think that I was insane! Katie is an incredible designer though, and she pulled it off.  There is so much interest and warmth in this room, and it's bursting with happiness all over the place.  In other words, it works.  It's beautiful and magnificently charming. Trust the process. 

This client wants a neutral room that is soft and relaxing, and I tell the client we should plop an orange couch in the middle of it. Can you imagine? BUT HERE ME OUT! Any color can become a neutral if surrounded by the right colors, textures and patterns though, and this room looks very neutral, calming, and collected. It's sort of amazing, isn't it? Trust the process. 

How about modern, pink chairs in a vintage designed room? See why you might think your designer is going nuts? Nothing in this room really matches, yet it works. It's a statement room that is beautifully done mixing both vintage and modern pieces. Trust the process.

What about some green chairs in a dining room with a lemon tree and gold globe light fixture? It works and has so much interest! Trust the process.

Here’s another example of how any color can become a neutral if in the right setting. The blue couch is just what this room needs to give it some depth and interest. We are leaning far away from beige and gray homes, and this one gets it right.

Images from Pinterest and Katie Davis Design

I think it’s good to question design and the process, but these images and designers demonstrate the importance of depth and not getting too caught up in how well things coordinate. Sometimes, the most coordinated designs are the most mismatched, so stop fretting about it and get to designing! And remember to trust the process!

Love,

Lindsay xo