Making your home feel both sophisticated and livable is not so simple in reality. Should chairs match exactly? Where to start with mixing accents? In a quest to demystify that effortless look we love, we break down the elements to master the imperfectly polished look in our own homes.
Lesson No. 1:
BE BOLD
Start with easy decorating additions that make substantial statements — a gesture that extends to all rooms of your house. Often you find the best juxtapositions when you just buy what you love and move it around until it finds the perfect placement. Sometimes it’s not about finding the perfect object to complete a room but finding the perfect place for a piece you love.
Here we combined a large, bold statement piece artwork with a massive stone dining table. The colors in the painting are vibrant, while the colors in the table are more muted and calming.
Lesson No. 2:
MIXING TIME-TESTED PIECES
Furnishings and accents that have stood the test of time share a sense of history and have natural affinity, making them easy to mix and match. Arranged together, these pieces make an eye-catching vignette. We love objects that evoke conversation and things that have a clear history. Try grouping objects and motifs that have historical and classical roots. Chances are, they’ll come together for a display that feels both effortless and surprisingly elegant.
Here we combined a vintage microscope with a few modern accessories. A Grecian-like statue head juxtaposes more sleek and modern pottery.
Lesson No. 3:
SHAPES & SILHOUETTES
We love great shapes and interesting silhouettes. While each piece stands out as singularly beautiful, together they add up to a look that’s artful and rich with personality. It’s an elegant yet playful design mix of streamlined, sumptuous, and salvaged elements. To recreate an equally layered and cohesive look in your home, try combining vintage finds, upholstery, and modern pieces that share similar shapes or curves.
The funky shape of this windmill is a great contrast against the sleek, clean lines of this abstract artwork and reclaimed wood and tin console piece. Add two unique cylinder accents for a well-rounded look.