How to Blend Interior Design Styles
You’ve heard me say that most people have two sides of their interior design style coin—heads and tails. People often think their styles are diametric opposites, but the blending of two opposite styles is what makes your home uniquely you! If my personal style was farmhouse modern only, for example, my home would look like a lot of other people’s farmhouse modern homes. If, instead, I threw in a little seasoning of 60s hippie, or East coast prep, or English professor, my home would be so much more unique!
Today, I’m going to walk you through our Hawk Lane project, where we blended two key styles: Traditional Grandma and Eclectic English Rock Star! When I first met with this client, she said “I like crazy things! How can I pull it all together?!” For me, defining the two styles we’re drawn to is key to balancing our choices.
Two Interior Design Styles
The two opposing styles we were working with were Traditional Grandma + Eclectic English Rock Star. Think Betty White being roommates with Mick Jagger…or Barbara Bush hosting the Grammys. Imagine a fun juxtaposition of silver tea services, foo dogs, leopard print, and smoking jackets.
If we were to lean too heavily toward Traditional Grandma, people might be afraid to touch the furniture and say things like, “Floral Chintz and striped silk and doilies...but where do you sit?!” If we were to overly emphasize English Rock Star instead, the reaction might be more along the lines of, “Yes, I’d like to come to a cocktail party. No, I can’t see myself binge watching Bridgerton here.” I mean we’ve all seen Elvis’s Jungle Room—shag carpet on the ceiling is a no from me!
To maintain a balanced design, we have to have an element of Rock Star every time we have an element of Grandma—that keeps us from tipping the scales too far one way or the other.
Example One:
The traditional art collection in the gallery wall is balanced with dark wall paint and modern furniture pairings.
Example Two:
We’ve balanced the oriental carpet with velvet and kilim print pillows.
Example Three:
The antique tea set is balanced with the funky light fixture.
Example Four:
We paired her traditional silk-upholstered chairs with dark wall paint, funky pillows, and modern swivel wall sconces.
The Result
Once we found the perfect balance of this client’s two interior design styles, we were able to step back and see a unique space that she would love for a long time! If you’d like to see more of this project, you can take a look at the portfolio at the button below!
Do you Need Help?
We’d love to help you find the perfect balance between your two opposing styles! Request a consultation and we can get started creating a space that feels uniquely, authentically you!
