�There�s nothing wrong with mixing old and new, with combining different furniture styles, colours and patterns. Anything that is in your taste will automatically fuse to form an entire relaxing environment. A home does not need to be planned down to the smallest detail or contrived; it should be an amalgamation of the things that its owner loves and feels at home with.�
From an article in the design magazine Form, 1958.
(Photograph of Josef Frank and Estrid Ericson by G�sta Glase)
That's a nice, reassuring, feel-good quote, but let's be honest: it only works with a person who has already developed a good eye. For far too many people, that easy, no-rules, mix-&-match, if-you-love-it-it-will-work approach is nothing but an invitation to disaster...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a286/MAGNAVERDE/Desk--1940--failedattemptateclectic.jpg
Magnaverde.
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The gal in your example may have been completely happy with her "disaster."
view wende in the twin cities's profile
Magnaverde is right, I think. I've always lived by the quote above. And YES, it's true, my homes have always given me pleasure and had a good 'vibe' that others notice and feel comfortable in. As the quote says, my things "automatically fused to form an entire relaxing environment". HOWEVER, I've since understood that I could take things to a whole new level by learning a little bit about design. I don't follow everything I learn about, and I'm still experimenting a lot to learn more. But I will say that maintaining higher standards (not only having, but actually using - and having the confidence to use - what Magnaverde calls a 'good eye') has made a world of difference so far. I have a long way still to go, but so far, all that lovely 'amalgamation of things I love and feel at home with' hasn't been jeopardized, while at the same time I've also been able to make notable improvements. I guess I'm trying to say that knowing what you're doing can make a difference!
view Sea's profile