In the home: Mixing design styles

Mixing styles works best when there’s a sense of balance, says interior designer Sarah Bilicki. Photo by JULIA BEWCYK PHOTOGRAPHY

Article content

Article content

One of you loves modern; the other prefers traditional. Or perhaps one or both of you appreciate different design styles. How do you mix them in your home?

Article content

Article content

“Blending different design styles can actually make a home feel far more interesting and personal. The key is making sure the space feels collected and intentional rather than divided into competing design personalities,” says Dvira Ovadia, principal designer of Dvira Interiors in Toronto.

Article content

Article content

She typically looks for common ground, such as a shared colour palette, similar wood tones, a preference for warmer finishes or even a mutual love of a particular material. “Once you establish that common thread, you can begin layering in pieces from different styles without the room feeling disjointed,” she says.

Article content

A favourite approach is to let one style create the foundation of the room and to use the other as an accent. She offers her dos and don’ts:

Article content

DO:

Article content

Article content

DON’T:

Article content

Article content

Article content

Sarah Bilicki, principal interior designer of Sarah Elizabeth Design + Interiors in Etobicoke, says mixing styles works best when there’s a sense of balance. “I often suggest letting one style take the lead in a room, with the other playing a supporting role,” she says. “That emphasis can shift as you move through the home, provided there are common threads such as flooring, trim or colour to connect the spaces.”

Article content

Bilicki recommends mixing metal finishes thoughtfully. “Polished chrome and matte black can create a crisp, contemporary feel, while chrome and satin brass can introduce warmth. Consider how those finishes relate to the rest of the room,” she says. Another tip: balance ornate details with simpler finishes. “Patterned drapery or carved furniture can sit beautifully alongside soft textures and clean lines.”

Article content

Interior designer Jessica Cinnamon likes spaces that feel layered, collected and personal. Photo by STEPHANI BUCHMAN

Article content

Jessica Cinnamon, principal designer and founder of Toronto-based Jessica Cinnamon Design, believes the key to mixing design styles begins with listening. “One person may be drawn to clean, contemporary lines, while the other loves traditional detailing, warmth and a sense of history,” she says.  “My job is to find the connection between those two points of view and create something that feels intentional to both of them.”