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March 29, 2008
Posted by: Cathy at 1:42 pm
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Many times when you shop for a dining room set, you find a dining table you like, but you don’t like the chairs that go with it, or vice versa. Or, a buffet or sideboard you like but not the table or chairs. I run across this alot. I tell my clients, “you don’t have to buy a “set” of something. You can mix and match (blend) pieces you love to get the look you want.”
We did just that with this dining room. The table, chairs, and buffet were purchased from different sources. They all blend beautifully and gave the client exactly what she wanted. We also had the option of changing the end chairs to a different style and material. We used brown leather armchairs and mixed them with X back side chairs. The stripe fabric on the chairs was repeated in some pillows in the living room close by.
All of the wood finishes on the furniture don’t have to match. Just blend them and they will work. To pull the room together we added a beautiful green patterned large (11′ x14′) area rug. A patterned rug for a dining area is good if you have children and guests that occassionally spill or drop food, a potential stain will not show as much as a solid color, (form follows function.)
Leaf green silk drapery and sheers were added to the window for a touch of simple formality. The same drapery was used in the living room near by.
A punch of floral color was added to the table. 5 repeating contemporary vases with mango colored flowers keeps the room energized and fresh.
Don’t feel like your stuck buying a “set” of furniture if you don’t like all of it. Pick the pieces you like and add to them. It makes for a much more interesting and creative design when you buy only the things you love and blend them into your vision of the room.
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1. I think that is pretty but, if i lived in there then I woud change it up just a little bit
by Cara — 3/29/08 at 7:40 pm #
2. Hi Cathy,
I have a question for you. I purchased a vintage 1960’s dining room set that has an Oriental feel to it. The table is 100″ fully opened, with six chairs( 2 armchairs, 4 side chairs). I wish i had 2 – 4 more chairs for the set – the chair back height is 35″ high, which is low by todays standards. Every new chair i look at in catalogs etc is very tall by comparison 38″ . Is it ok to mix chair back heights?
by Ann — 3/30/08 at 9:03 pm #
3. I agree completelywith Cathy’s take on mixing and matching furniture! In fact, I don’t like everything to match exactly. I made the mistake of doing that in my first house.
We were then in a small split level home with little division between the living room and dining room. I was so excited to go buy my first “real” furniture (rather than the hand me downs and odd pieces that furnished our first apartments and condo), that I bought the dining room set that matched the living room end tables, which matched the coffee table. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but I didn’t care for that look for long.
Some of those pieces I no longer own, some have been moved to other areas of our current house which is three times the size of that first one. Now I take my time and look in a variety of places for furniture and accessories that I love, but coordinate with other things that I have. I have some great pieces that run the spectrum from flea market finds to high end furniture store purchases, and everything in between.
You do not have to follow those decorating “rules” that your mother and grandmother followed. Find things that speak to you and you will enjoy them and your home that much more.
by Shawn — 3/31/08 at 11:51 am #
4. I, too, would like to know if chair heights must match when combining unmatched chairs around a table. Luckily, my unmatched chairs do happen to be about the same height — but it’s because I planned it that way. I always carry a tape measure when attending auctions or flea markets. But, must they be the same height, Cathy?
by Janice — 3/31/08 at 3:58 pm #
5. Hi Cara,
Of course you would change it to your style. That’s what give’s your decorating your personality.
Thanks for your comment.
by Cathy — 3/31/08 at 6:15 pm #
6. Hello Ann,
Your vintage Asian dining set sounds wonderful. Great style and a little different. To answer your question on chair heights, yes you can mix heights. Usually, the host and hostess chairs are the best ones to change as a pair. Different style and heights can look very customized. You could add some upholstered Parsons arm chairs for the host and hostess chairs. Can you remove the arms off your armchairs? Then you will have six side chairs and the Parsons end chairs. You could then seat 8. It could look quite nice.
by Cathy — 3/31/08 at 6:44 pm #
7. You are so right Shawn,
Usually the things you love will all go together. Why? because the things you’re drawn to have a similar FEEL to them. Colors, style, finishes, design etc. That’s what gives a home a personality…yours. Yes, your right Shawn, you can mix flea market finds with high end pieces, contemporary with traditional, anything goes. Just be selective and use some restraint when mixing, so it doesn’t become a hodge-podge or feel cluttered.
Thanks so much for your interesting remarks. Write again soon.
by Cathy — 3/31/08 at 7:04 pm #
8. The room is so beautiful. I love that dining room table! Where did you get it?
by Kate — 3/31/08 at 11:48 pm #
9. Hi Janice,
How are you doing? No, unmatched chairs around a table don’t have to be the same height. What makes them unique are their differences. You can tie them together with one or two elements, or leave totally unmatched. One element would be to upholster all the seats in the same fabric. Another would be to have all the chairs in one finish..alll wood, all iron (metal), all wicker/rattan etc. The height is not that important, because the unmatched look is what you’re going for.
I bet your dining room is wonderful with your antique/ flea market chairs.
Talk to you soon.
by Cathy — 4/1/08 at 12:08 pm #
10. Hi Kate,
Yes, the table is a beautiful piece. We had the table made to resemble a table from Pottery Barn. It turned out beautifully and she was able to customize it…color, finish, size etc.
I’m glad you like it. Thanks so much for asking.
by Cathy — 4/1/08 at 12:12 pm #
11. I think the mix match look is so much more fun to decorate with. Who cares if it matches! I have found if I keep one color , such as red and add that in every room, just a touch..pillow, frame..flowers..it ties the whole house together. I decorate with old vintage decor and new pieces and it just looks great. I have lots of comments on my house, being a home builder’s wife, we move alot, so I too have a clean slate every few years!! What looked great in the kitchen may find its way into the living room the next house!! Bedrooms are great fun to decorate!!
Great website!!
by Jeanne — 4/5/08 at 4:06 pm #
12. Hello Jeanne,
What great ideas you have. Yes, I much prefer a “collected” look over everything that matches also. It’s much more interesting and shows great style. You’re so right about tying some colors throughout the whole house. Sometimes just a little of the color throughout is all you need to unify the whole. Have fun decorating. It sounds like you enjoy the art.
Write again soon.
by Cathy — 4/7/08 at 6:14 pm #
13. Hi Cathy,
Thanks for getting back to me – unfortunately, I cant remove the arms. I have been searching for something in the same height even if its a different wood color and not a splat back in a set of 4. Perhaps then i can put the 4 different chairs around the side of the table – put 2 of the original side chairs in between those in the center (does that make sense?) and then leave the armchairs as is. Then i could pull the two extra side chairs on either side of the buffet for “extra” seating – how does that sound? Do you think that would look too chaotic? I would reupholster the chairs with the same fabric as the original chairs…
by Ann — 4/7/08 at 9:01 pm #
14. Hi Ann,
Yes, I think your idea will work fine. Keep them in sets of 2 or 4 in symetry around the table…as you indicated. If you can find the back heights similar that would be good but if not it will look fine with the 4 spaced evenly around the table. Wood finishes don’t have to match either, just blend them. Tie them all in with the same upholstery and you’ll have a wonderful Asian eclectic custom designed dining room.
by Cathy — 4/8/08 at 1:44 pm #
15. Hi ! i only have one question,what can i do with a kithen/dining room that you can see from the living room and if that’s not bad enough you can see the back of the dinning room from the main entrance so i must keep it nice at all times i haven’t decorated with any type of of dinning table yet.
I’m so confused please help.tHANK YOU/MILAGROS
by MILAGROS — 5/13/08 at 12:18 pm #
16. Hello Milagros,
It sounds like you have a nice open flloorplan. But with open floorplans, the spaces should be unified and blend together. Also being open, requires the area as a whole to be presentable. Find dining room pieces that blend with your living room furniture pieces. They don’t have to match, just a similar style and wood tones. Maybe have the dining chair upholstery be the same as some pillows on the sofa. Or tie in the same drapery in the two spaces. Use 3 paint colors, next to each other, on the same chip to delineate the spaces …one color for kitchen, one for dining room ,one for living room. The subtle color change will blend in but separate each area. Go to the archives on this page and click on April 2007, look up “wall color Idea” for more information on this idea.
I hope this gave you a few ideas.
by Cathy — 5/13/08 at 4:59 pm #
17. I love the drapes, where do people find nice drapes w/out costing thousands? i need 96 length…thanks!
by gale — 6/12/08 at 4:04 pm #
18. Hello Gale,
Yes, the drapery is a highlight in the room. It came out beautifully.
You don’t have to spend thousands for nice drapery. There are many sites online that sell beautiful silk, linen etc. drapery panels that are ready-made, but look custom -made. Your length size should not be a problem as well.
A few sites to look at…
Silk Trading Co.
Smith and Noble
Designer Draperies.com
Penney’s
Silk Fabric Store.com.
…and lots of others. Enter your sizes and fabrics and the price is shown. Or, have someone make them or make them yourself to save more $. Drapery really makes a room, don’t skimp on the large statement they make in a room.
Hope you can find what you’re looking for…it’s worth the search.
by Cathy — 6/13/08 at 11:57 am #
19. Cathy, I’m sure this isn’t the appropriate spot to post my question, but since we’re talking about dining rooms, I wanted to ask it anyway. As you know, I’m always finding things at the auction. Sometimes I lucky to get something I’ve always wanted and other times, I will bid on an item, on a whim. That can sometimes be a mistake — or it could be a good thing. I was drawn to a beautiful, orante silver tea service (tray, pot, creamer, etc.) I got it for a very good price and I do like it but …… I’m wondering how it will fit in with the French feel I have in my kitchen/dining area. Do things like this fit in with any style — or in any place? I have a built-in buffet with etched-glass cabinets above — so I could use it on the buffet — but I’m having doubts if this whim purchase was a mistake. What are your thoughts?
by Janice — 9/22/08 at 5:31 pm #
20. Janice,
Of course you can add your tea service to your decor, what a find. It sounds wonderful. There’s no rule that says you have to stay in one style. In fact mixing styles is much more interesting. I think it will look great on your built-in buffet or anywhere that you can enjoy it. Use it as a center piece for Holiday decorations. Add seasonal leaves or floral to enjoy for fall. Put shiny silver /red ornaments around each piece on the tray for Christmas…so much you can do. Have fun with it, if you’re drawn to it, it will work for you.
by Cathy — 9/23/08 at 1:15 pm #
21. I’m glad to hear that, Cathy. I try not to make impulse purchases but when you’re in the heat of bidding, you have to think quickly. I knew I liked the tea service, but guess part of me was thinking things like this belong to the “older generation.” Hey, maybe I’m there already and didn’t realize it! LOL Although I don’t like lace and doilies and things like that, I do like silver. You said that it would look great anywhere — even on my glass and black wrought-iron coffee table???? Is the coffee table too contemporary for the tea service?
by Janice — 9/23/08 at 5:14 pm #
22. Janice,
Not at all. Set it out and have fun with it. Place it in places that you wouldn’t think. Even in a guest powder room…hang a nice hand towel out of the tea pot… little soaps in the sugar bowl… flowers in the creamer etc. Don’t take it too seriously. Think of some other things you could do with it…the ideas are endless!
by Cathy — 9/24/08 at 11:53 am #
23. Again, I appreciate your helpful advice, Cathy. I feel much better about my impulse purchase. I recently heard a designer say that whenever you attempt to decorate a house (or room), you shouldn’t think about a style and certainly not a theme, but you should decide about the “feel” you want in a room. Is this what you do? And, if so, how do you achieve that feel — by having a thought-out plan or just purchasing things that “speak to you.” I’ve always said that I’d love to have a room that Sherlock Holmes would have felt comfortable in — a fireplace, a comfortable leather chair, a stack of books on an old table, with reading glasses resting on top, etc. I know that’s creating “a feel.” I know I’m asking some thought-provoking questions, but how do you combined “a feel” with your color scheme? For example, you love red, white and black, like I do. But if if you love an English cottage look, or want the look of a French chateau, would you have to change your color scheme to get that look? I’m confusing myself!!! LOL Anyway, could you share your thoughts about how to create a feel in a room? Thanks!
by Janice — 9/24/08 at 1:00 pm #