Friday, June 2, 2017

No Matchy-Matchy -- Live With What You Love

When I was a young woman just starting out,
I dreamed of buying a matching living room suit, 
matching bedroom furniture and matching dishes and flatware. 
I think the curtains, pillows, and rugs were probably matching sets too!
How things have changed, huh?

Today, we don't want that "matchy-matchy" look.
Instead we live with what we love.

It doesn't have to match as long as it "goes."
I'm using two mismatched chairs at my farm table.
Their wood tones and farm style go together nicely.



My couch and chair don't match but their textures and colors complement each other. 
Accessories are one-of-a-kind finds and my coffee table is an old farm table 
with the legs trimmed down to the right height.


I think mixing things up is more interesting than if everything matches
and it feels more like it's been collected over time.
French Country and Farmhouse styles lend themselves easily to this look
as things are often passed down in the family.


Be brave! Mix it up!
You can put together a blended look by repeating design elements such as
color, finishes, themes, shapes or architectural details.
Keep your room from becoming too busy by painting the walls a neutral color.


In my kitchen, I have several different patterns of dishes (all from Goodwill).
My faves are the big red rooster plates, the simple white scalloped plates 
and the buffalo china bowls. 
I like to mix and match them for a casual feel. 


The unifying element of my dishware is white with a touch of red.


My cups are a mix of white Pottery Barn and Chris Madden mugs that look pretty together.


And my flatware is vintage Grosvenor Community design . . .


with a mix of other styles thrown in as needed
(bakelite forks, battered old ladles, family hand-me-down spoons.)


Do they match? Nope. Do they go together? Yep.
Do they make me happy? Definitely.

In the dining room, my ironstone collection and my mother's "good" china
blend nicely and make me smile.


The mirrors are all different and add charm and impact to the space
and the white accents pull it all together.
The natural wood furniture helps to ground the lighter colors in the room.


My point is: if it makes you smile when you come into the room, if it holds a special memory, 
or if it causes you to dream about the future, it's the right choice for you.


It may not match but it goes.
So, live with what you love!

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33 comments:

  1. Your home is lovely. I like everything in the house.
    Marilyn

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    1. Thank you so much for your sweet comment Marilyn. Hugs, Pat

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  2. True, true!! I had matching everything years ago too, 12 place settings of all the exact same thing. Bedspreads, curtains, tablecovers all the same fabric. Now I mix it up. I am with you, unique pieces that go together are far more interesting. Beautiful rooms!

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    1. Thanks Carole! Isn't it interesting how many of us have the same memories of matched sets! Hugs, Pat

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  3. I love your home and furnishings and agree whole heartedly. Thanks.

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  4. I do follow by email and I wholly subscribe to your philosophy of if you love it or it means something it doesn't have to match. And it looks fabulous in your home!

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  5. I agree with you 100%!! When we first married, we scrimped and saved to buy matching sets of furniture. Everything is gone now except the matching set in our bedroom that will be with us forever and ever amen. That's what my hubby says. :)

    In our new house I'm letting go of all the rules! Just want to have fun and enjoy our space without any worry of what someone else will think.

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    1. Thanks Stacey! I enjoyed your comments. I have some things that will be with us forever and ever amen too! Can't wait to see your new rule-free house! Hugs, Pat

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  6. This makes me want to redo my house. We still have matched things. I want to start doing the farm style with other things mixed in. All I need now is the moola to do it. Love your house Pat .

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    1. Thanks Jan! You could definitely do the farmhouse style. You've got a great start already with your house and farm. Love and hugs, Pat

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  7. Made me take a second look at my rooms; and yes, they are filled with things I love. Who cares if it all matches or is of a certain style. Thanks for your great post

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    1. Thanks so much! I appreciate your thoughtful comment. Hugs, Pat

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  8. You have a very pretty, cozy looking home. Hardly anything in my house matches. I just buy things that call to me or help me continue with a much loved collection.

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    1. Thanks very much. Things are always calling to me and it's hard to restrain myself sometimes. Enjoy your collections. Hugs, Pat

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  9. Your home looks cozy and inviting. :)

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  10. So true!! Very little in my house matches, yet I hope it al goes together!

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    1. Thanks Debbie! I'm sure it all goes together if it speaks to you. Hope you have a wonderful week. Hugs, Pat

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  11. !!!!!!!!!! Back at ya Elena! Love it. Hugs, Pat

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  12. Lovely home and I so agree there is nothing better than a room filled with memories.
    Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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    1. Thank you Cindy! I love things that have a history, a story to tell. Hugs, Pat

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  13. What a beautiful space! Going from image to image, I couldn't help but smile. No wonder your space brings you such great unmatched happiness!

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  14. Having matching pieces is so passe, I couldn't agree more. I never had those so there is nothing to get rid of of that type,but as you said buying all you love is a much better philosophy, both for your heart's pleasure but also your house benefits too. I love all of my car boot finds, my charity finds, all the second hand pieces. I love unique, old, vintage, quirky and so I diy sometimes too. Your plates and flatware are awesome, I adore the apkins too. I've got a ceramic rooster that will go so will with your plates.

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    1. Thank you Anna! I can tell you appreciate things with a history. They're just too unique to let slip away. Hugs, Pat

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  15. Pat, I love your home! It looks so warm and welcoming. I love mixing things up. I have multiple sets of dinnerware and teaware, but I mix them up all the time. The ladle in one of your photos looks like one of mine that I inherited from my grandmother-in-law.

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    1. Thank you Jean. I appreciate your telling me about the ladle; gives me an idea how old it might be. Hugs, Pat

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  16. Just lovely! Mixing is so much more fun, and creates a warm and inviting home environment! Hugs from Australia♥ ~Pernilla

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    1. Thanks so much Permilla. I'm thrilled that someone in Australia is reading my blog. Hugs from Colorado, Pat

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  17. I adore your chippy red table!
    Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  18. Love your philosophy--live with what you love--and your beautiful home, too, Pat. Thanks for sharing your insights with us at Vintage Charm :)

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