apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I do at home although it's primarily modern pieces but I do have a couple of antiques and other non modern pieces that work well in my space.

I most definitely mix and match styles. My tastes and loves are composed of different objects from different eras and different cultures and those are the things I want to surround myself. I attempt to make the overall appearance balanced, as far as scale, colors, materials and textures and seek harmony and physical comfort, as well. I don't care so much about "style" as I do design.

Having everything one "style" comes across as bland and unimaginative...like something out of a hotel or magazine. I collect things I like. I can't have it all one style or it's overwhelming. One of my favorite pieces is a huge rustic TV armoire...and there is no way my whole place is going to be Mexican rustic! It's paired with a nice modern sofa chaise. The balance is way more interesting that way to me.

I just bought a vintage side chair with heavily carved wooden frame and elaborage upholstery style (in plain pale yellow fabric) to go with my extremely plain zen Asian writing table. I love them together! (The upholstery is stained, so it may have to be replaced, but the petite scale of both pieces work great together.)

I love that chair! We are always mixing styles in our home. I love antiques and vintage items as well as more modern pieces. The trick is just learning how to put the different styles together in a cohesive way. See our first home come together on our blog:
http://www.makemineeclectic.wordpress.com

Great design has many layers including "mixing and matching". It takes talent to do it well. Throwing a bunch of different things together and calling it eclectic doesn't mean the design or room is successful or even good. Your combination is a winner!