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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Linking with: 

Little Farmstead, Dwellings, Between Naps on the Porch, Coastal Charm, Cedar Hill Farmhouse,
A Stroll Thru Life, Savvy Southern Style,A Delightsome Life, Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson,
21 Rosemary Lane, Adirondack Girl at Heart, French Country Cottage