Hello AT,
What happens if I mix shabby chic with mid century? I succummbed to a 60% off impulse buy. It was an old, totally shabby garden bench, with simple, flowing curves, that was CHEAP, marked down from $800 to $320 and could serve multiple purposes a) texture...a lot b) an airy element in a small apartment c) useful for seating! d) useful for putting decorative objects on. The other element in the living room so far is a just-purchased sofa, The Kinsey, from Crate & Barrel...clean lines, mid century inspired. What do you think?
Thanks, Susiq
Dear Susiq, Rules were meant to be broken and you CAN do anything, BUT if you are going eclectic you should make sure that there is a common thread that you are pulling through your room or else it will just seem random.
What is your common thread?
What you don't want is everything to be Mid-C Modern and ONE thing to be very oddly out of step. Eclectic means that you keep people guessing by not having any ONE dominant theme, but you still need a thread.
Specifically, the garden bench may not be a problem if it a. has a similar coloring to your other pieces of furniture, if b. it doesn't overwhelm the room or if c, it simply reads "funky" and not a shabby chic mixup. If, however, you are concerned that it really sticks out like a sore thumb, you could tone it down by a. stripping the paint b. sanding or c. adding a piece of thick glass on top to make it more of a table. If you are not concerned, then don't worry about it. Enjoy!
Anyone else?
Yay to the feedback!! Ackkkk....lost the usb cable for the flash card! I want to show the picture of the bench. I'll find it!......
Attached to my name is a link to a picture of the bench. What is my common thread? Well, color is one. I feel the bench actually works very well colorwise with the sofa and the wall paint. Another common thread is its clean lines. The lines of the bench flow, and are simple, that was an attraction. Another thread is artwork, I have artwork that will continue the eclectic theme, as you can see from two different types on the bench. That may help tie in the eclectic theme.
I also thought for times when I need seating, I could place a throw blanket over it, possibly adding pillows as well. When I don't need it for seating, it looks light and airy in a 12x15 living space. I could paint it as well, was thinking about that too.
PLEASE AT readers, cross your fingers tightly that one CAN sit on it, that the wood is not rotted! I'm already in big trouble for bringing this thing in! They just don't UNDERSTAND!!
Greetings,
Before seeing the bench, I wondered whether it would look great painted shiny white or black with neutral toned cushions to complement your sofa, but as the paint finish has a wonderful textural quality, and the wooden slats give you a bit of a pattern, why not exploit that? You could perhaps add several black & white, grey & white, and bright blue & white striped cushions to jazz it up. Or...maybe make it into an installation by having some potted plants of daisies or grass under it....
i must admit i think rules are meant to be broken as well, youll know by looking at it if its right(hopefully). :)