I get asked these questions from clients almost daily: “Can I use white bed linens even if nothing else in the room is white?” and “Can I mix metal tones in a room?” And also, “Can I mix modern elements with my traditional decor?”
Let me address each of these one by one.
Where bedsheets are concerned I find many people labor over the idea of whether they should coordinate their bedsheets with their bed coverings and other elements in the room. I almost always recommend, when asked, white bed linens. White sheets and pillow cases give such a clean and fresh look when crawling into bed. It is a crisp look.
Think about any high end hotel you have stayed. They seem to add layer after layer of white elements. From the fitted and top sheets and pillow cases to duvets and down filled quilted duvet fills. White has an upscale look. And in most cases white can be bleached to keep its bright look.
I find that colored or patterned bed linens can give a bedroom a dated look. They can sometimes be too dark and when cleaned over time can get faded. Sometimes colored sheets and cases can coordinate very well and give a great look. However, cleaning these can be a bit of a task. Many people allow their children and pets into the bed, so having a product that is easy to clean is important.
In kitchens I find that people spend a lot of time considering whether they should mix metals. They have to consider their cabinet hardware, appliances, light fixtures, door knobs and hinges.
Other rooms have a variety of metals, but the kitchen tends to lead my clients down the road of quandary. I tell my clients to consider the many choices of chrome, or gold, or bronze. It is almost never possible to get any of these tones to match identically where these elements are concerned.
What you are left with is trying to be matchy-matchy without hitting the mark. Black could be an easy way to go as long as you select the correct finish, be it matte, brushed or polished. Contrasting metals work well and can give a room a well designed plan.
Sometimes an element, such as a chandelier, can pull all of the metals together should it have the variety of metal tones you desire. There are many decor items that can pull the metals tones in a room together.
Our area tends to decorate in a more traditional manner. However, as I am sure you have noticed, design elements that are more modern have become very popular. I find some of my clients are concerned about adding more modern elements in their more traditional homes.
Most people have eclectic furnishings and decor. People generally do not want to placed inside a box, they want to have what appeals to them in their home and shrug that they have broken the rules. However, times have changed. It is no longer wrong to mix up styles in your home.
By adding a focal element in a room that contrasts the style of the rest of the room can really add a POP or focal point to the space. It brings focus to the item. This could be an abstract piece of art on the wall in a room full of antiques. Or it could be a Queen Anne dresser set in a more contemporary setting.
Don’t be afraid to break some rules and mix things up. It is your home and you should add items that speak of you and your personality.
