| Decorating a home can be a daunting task. Many | | | | majority of the room's elements, then the room |
| people get stressed wondering if it is alright to | | | | will have interest and complexity, while feeling |
| mix different styles. Perhaps it is only those with | | | | unified and well balanced. |
| a natural eye who would be able to pull together | | | | Artwork is one aspect of interior decorating |
| antiques from grandmother, a traditional sofa and | | | | where there is great latitude within a space and |
| more modern furniture. Relax and stop worrying | | | | can easily satisfy varying tastes. Even if your |
| about some arbitrary rules and create a space | | | | tastes lie on opposite ends of the spectrum, each |
| that is unique. Mixing styles is a fabulous way to | | | | piece can be carefully located so that their |
| give variety to an interior space. However, one | | | | placement doesn't detract from the enjoyment |
| must exercise restraint in effectively combining | | | | of the others. While it is not uncommon to mix |
| styles, as too much of a mix can result in dizzying | | | | modern art with more traditional pieces in the |
| chaos, rather than charming and eclectic. So | | | | same room, a useful trick is to select feature |
| whether you prefer modern design furniture, | | | | spaces or walls, for one particular style. For |
| shabby chic or country, be willing to throw caution | | | | example, dramatic modern works might be |
| to the wind and mix it up to let your personality | | | | featured in the main foyer and then traditional |
| and style come through. | | | | pieces could be showcased in another room, such |
| When it comes to combining different decorating | | | | as the living room. Go one step further and blend |
| styles, many interior professionals like to follow | | | | the two styles in an adjacent space, such as the |
| the 80/20 rule which basically means that one | | | | dining room. This method of working with two |
| should stay with one particular style for 80% of a | | | | different styles is a way to bring both harmony |
| room's elements, such as seating, tables, fabrics, | | | | and complexity to an environment. It also keeps |
| and window treatments, and incorporate one or | | | | the peace in the household and shows an |
| more other styles for the remaining 20%. If you | | | | appreciation for the other person's interests. |
| lean toward the traditional, then use that as a | | | | If there is a big difference in opinion about what |
| guide for the majority of the space. However, | | | | style a couple's home should reflect and neither |
| you could then bring in more contemporary | | | | party can stand the thought of looking at very |
| pieces, such as side chairs, artwork and | | | | different styles of decorating mingled together, |
| accessories. Artwork is a wonderful way to | | | | then perhaps a compromise can be made. This |
| combine styles. Above a contemporary sofa, a | | | | can be accomplished with a transitional style since |
| large impressionistic painting could be hung and | | | | it is a melding of both modern and traditional style. |
| then smaller contemporary images or | | | | It is sleeker and less elaborate than the traditional, |
| photographs could be added to other areas of the | | | | yet is not as simple and clean as contemporary |
| room. If you stay true to only one style for the | | | | decor. |