
You can combine the styles. Much depends on other components such as flooring, cabinetry, lighting and your furnishings to make a nice balance of colonial and craftsman. When you can share photos for more guidance.
Full Answer
Can you mix different wood styles together?
DON’T mix too many different woods however. Sticking with one style such as rustic weathered wood will create cohesiveness, where as mixing driftwood with rich mahogany and light maple will just create chaos. And lastly, DO have fun with it, but DON’T treat all styles equally.
Can you mix and match decorating styles?
Mixing decorating styles is easier than you might think. In truth, there are very few “pure” decorating styles. Most styles are a blend of several different eras and periods. Design styles are usually birthed when designers (or even homemakers) take the best of certain periods or fashions and incorporate these elements into homes.
How much furniture should you mix and match?
Go heavy on one style of furniture, then mix in the other styles. Kimberly Seldon calls it her 80/20 rule; 80% of the room should be one style, and 20% a mix of others.
How can I incorporate mid century decor into my home?
Maybe a mid century inspired print on some toss pillows, a mid century bowl to hold fruit in your kitchen, or mid century inspired vases/ decorative objects on shelves and such. Those little touches help bring it all together. I like what you said about dividing up your decor style with 80% being of one type and 20% being of another.

Entrance question, mixing Colonial and Craftsman... HELP!
I am currently getting ready to paint all the maple in our house (trim, doors, cabinets), which is mainly craftsman style. When I do that I want to replace the baseboards with something more bold and traditional for the style, since everything is pretty much builder grade right now.
Comments (14)
What is the trim you are considering? A picture would help. No one really notices different trim in different rooms if they are all white.
How to tie unlike items together?
A great way to tie unlike items together is by finding something they have in common and grouping them together.
Why can't I add that to my decor?
I can’t add that to my decor because it doesn’t go with my current style. Lots of little accessories are the perfect way to fill a space. When you mix decor styles well, it’s done in a way that makes sense to your eye and your senses. It doesn’t leave you questioning why or how something ended up in the space.
Can you mix and match interior design styles?
But mix and match interior design can be very tricky to get right. That’s why so many people believe that you shouldn’t mix styles. If you’ve ever believed any of the following about interior decorating you’re dead wrong….
Is matching essential?
Matching is not essential to beautiful home decor; in fact it is down right boring.
Can decorating rules be broken?
First let’s talk about a few go to “rules” that will help you along. –But keep in mind, any decorating rule can be broken.
Apartment Therapy Survey
Our Style: We try to incorporate different styles that we like without adhering to one specific aesthetic. We have a mix of traditional, rustic, Chinoiserie, and mid-century furnishings.
Share Your Style
Currently living and creating in Boston, Anna is up for any adventure and loves getting to know places, people & food through photography. You can often find her combing the best antique shops in New England, and always dreaming about parquet floors.
How to make seamless miters?
Making seamless miters requires all kinds of compromises in a very small space—push the bottom of one piece up, the top of another down … There are lots of spatial dimensions to work with until the miters close. The point is, be ready with shims and a painter’s 5-in-1 tool, which I love using use as a lever to move pieces so I can insert the shims. Once it’s dialed in, nail it.
How do I install a 3 piece crown?
When installing a three-piece crown, you apply the layers one course at a time, doing laps of the room with each layer. A small undulation in the ceiling is enough to throw the installation off by a mile if all you do is measure from the ceiling in a few spots. To make sure undulating walls and ceilings don’t wreak too much havoc on the layout, I build a 30-inch long template of the finished assembly and map out each corner and a few spots along the wall.
Why do you put a backer on a miter?
The backer helps the miters sit nice and flush with one another and provides solid nailing. I also dab the miters with a little Phenoseal to glue and seal them together—but a little goes a long way here. You only want a dab or two to seal the joint when you squeeze the pieces together.
Can you throw design ideas out the window?
If you’re a purist, you can throw the design ideas in this piece out the window. Sure, the techniques work, but maybe the design isn’t your bag.
How to make furniture look more basic?
Blend several unique pieces with the ambiguity of items from a big box store or just more basic options. Consider solid colors or finishes with a clean , everyday look. This way the basic furniture won’t compete with your more stylized furnishings or decor.
How to bring a room together?
Another way to bring consistency to the style is to pick up on the lines of a sofa or favorite chair and repeat that curve or line throughout the space.
What is the goal of a mix room?
Your goal is to create a space that the eyes and the mind view as a whole. Try these tips to mix styles effortlessly and create a room that appears cohesive and unified.
Why do we repeat the same color in a room?
Too many colors can detract and make each piece in your room feel like it stands alone. A good mantra to remember about color is to “spread the wealth, ” meaning that you should repeat the same colors throughout the space to bring items (and the room) together.
Is a decorating rule written in stone?
Decorator’s Hint. Remember that decorating and design rules are never written in stone. What usually works in most spaces often becomes a decorating “rule” (or at least a strong suggestion), but that suggestion may not work in your space. Feel free to bend or even break the rules when creating and decorating your room.
Is mixing decorating styles easy?
Mixing decorating styles is easier than you might think. In truth, there are very few “pure” decorating styles. Most styles are a blend of several different eras and periods. Design styles are usually birthed when designers (or even homemakers) take the best of certain periods or fashions and incorporate these elements into homes. Maybe your spouse is traditional yet you love shabby chic. Or maybe you would like to figure out a way to use your grandmother’s antique armoire in your über contemporary living room.
