HOW TO AVOID A 'MATCHY MATCHY' INTERIOR
I got a couple of questions from my recent interior colour masterclass on advice to avoid a ‘matchy matchy’ looking interior. I had to think for a second and thought ‘what is a matchy matchy interior anyway?’
After googling ‘matchy matchy interior’ I remembered. Basically, it’s a collection of purely functional pieces, usually made up of a ‘set’, that big furniture manufacturing companies lay out in their showrooms as a take home look. It’s the grey or brown sofa, with the brown wood coffee table and side tables in the exact same style. There’s a matching buffet, console table, you get the drift. It may include rugs and art that ‘blend in’ to compliment the look.
It’s also usually lacking colour BIG TIME. So it’s not really my style of doing things! To put it mildly.
The big problem for me [as well as the lack of interest in the actual pieces] is the absence of colour. When we think of a matchy matchy room, it generally means that there is not enough contrast in colour as well. Too much grey, too much brown. Not designed to upset the apple cart.
I think the reason why people end up with this look, is because they haven’t done any real planning before going shopping. Without a little prep work, we could end up in the store on a Saturday morning falling prey to a matching furniture set. And without planning how you might introduce colour and other materials to make your style ‘unique’ rather than ‘matchy’, we run the risk of putting together a room that borders on bleak rather than bodacious.
Now that we’re all clear on the definition of matchy matchy, I’ve got a strategy for you to make sure this doesn’t ever happen to you...
1: Choose a colour ‘kick off’ point
The first thing you need to do is create a colour kick off point. This should be something that gives you an idea for a colour palette that you actually really like. This is what will get you started. If you are reading this, you know my style generally isn’t about celebrating a colourless room, so I’m going to give you direction that includes adding colour.
A kick off point can be a rug you see with fabulous colours, an artwork you love, a room that already has colours you love from a magazine or online browsing, or even an outfit you love wearing. The colours co-ordinate so well and you always tend to get compliments when you wear that outfit. It can be anything. You just have to like the colours and be happy to have them in your new living room.
Step 2. Work out your pieces
Ok so now that you have an idea for colour direction, you’ll want to define your pieces. If you are starting from scratch, that’s fine-or you could be changing out some old pieces for new ones. If you are introducing new pieces, remember that you’ don’t have to remove everything you had, especially if you want to make sure the new room doesn’t look like you bought it all from one showroom on a Saturday afternoon.
For example, you may have an old leather chair that’s aged and adds a vintage look to your style. If that’s the case, great! This will help steer your room away from risking looking dull and samey.
Once you know what pieces you need, you can start perusing some fabulous new items that will make your space come alive again. With each piece you look at, I’d like you to deliberately avoid anything that comes as a set. Even if it’s a fabulous coffee table-if it has matching side tables, I’d like you to deliberately think of looking for different side tables.
Below is a mock-up of what a matchy matchy living room could end up looking like. Coffee tables and side tables match. The occasional chair matches the sofa. Much of it is from the same furniture range. The artwork is inoffensive, but far from inspiring.
Step 3. Create a unique space and reflects you
Below is the same room but turned on its head! There is nothing matchy matchy about this living room. The key here is to do everything opposite to what you observed in the previous mock-up. This time, the artwork includes a gold dotted sculpture, that appears to point to the ‘Marilyn Smoking a Cigarette’ print. A little bit edgy already? Good! That’s the first sign that we are living in a room with an actual heartbeat.
The gold Quercus coffee table nest provide interest with their varying textures and heights. The side tables are a different feel all together. The chocolate brown armchair in antique leather gives real character and is a totally different feel to the very contemporary grey sofa. Hits of magenta appear in the cushion made from an Indian Sari. The Olive velvet cushions provide the perfect contrast to the magenta.
Instead of settling for the lamps in the plain cream lampshade, how about changing out the shades to ones that include your newly acquired colour palette?
When I look at this space, I imagine the owner has something to say in the way that they have introduced several different styles successfully in the one space. Sure, it takes a little thought, but it’s a world of difference from the previous ‘hotel room’ version of the same space.
Step 4. Pat yourself on the back for expressing the real you!
You may or may not be thinking ‘Adam I appreciate the second version, but it’s not really me’ and that’s fine. Find the right combination for who you are. The key here is to keep some sort of connection with your past if you can, and avoid a room that screams ‘package deal’.
Our homes really are our haven and it’s always great fun to be able tell others about the furniture, photos or anything that reveals the essence of the real us.
Email me and let me know what you thoughts!
info@adamscougall.com
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