60-30-10 Rule: How to Mix Styles
MIX Styles BUT Stick to a Color Scheme
Color is the glue that holds a room’s look together. If you want to blend different design styles, choose your color scheme with the 60-30-10 rule. Are you familiar?
Basically, when applying this rule, you want your 60% color to be the primary color in your room. A typical example would be the walls or large accent pieces that act as a backdrop. Your secondary, or 30% color, might be accent chairs, lighting, and furniture. You would use this half as much as your main color. As for the last little 10%, this is where your look gets its pop. This could be found in artwork or accent pillows. In this case, it’s the red berries.
This rule can also be applied to monochromatic color schemes by using variations of the same color.
If you apply this method of color selection, then you can mix different styles and still have a calming look to the room.
Where to start? Try this.
- Take everything out of the room. Always the best starting point for any room. Remember THIS post?
- Thinking about your room as a whole, decide on 2 colors. In this case, I’m popping red against neutrals.
- Think about scale and form. Make sure you pay attention to where objects overlap and how they line up in your space.
About this look…
If you study the little vignette, you’ll see how the 60-30-10 rule enables the smooth combination of traditional and modern decor. You’ll notice an antique federal style mirror over a campaign chest. Both are very traditional. In contrast to this traditional vertical line, you’ll then see two modern “O” chairs made by the same designer of the ones in Frank Sinatra’s house. You can’t get much more modern than Lucite and black faux leather. On top of the chest, we have a traditional Black Chinoiserie lamp sitting next to modern marble tray, a Kelly Wearstler pop dish and a museum of modern arts vase with berries. These items are of opposite design periods, but their colors are cohesive.
Have you ever tried this color rule and applied it to mixing design styles? It’s a fun puzzle.
Thanks for visiting!
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MOMA CRINKLE BAG VASE or LESS EXPENSIVE HERE | KELLY WEARSTLER MARBLE VASE | SIMILAR OP ART DISH | SIMILAR CAMPAIGN CHEST HIGH QUALITY HERE or LESS EXPENSIVE HERE or NEW HERE | VINTAGE CHARLES HOLLIS JONES LUCITE O CHAIRS or SIMILAR HERE | LARGE EXTON MARBLE TRAY or SIMILAR AND LESS EXPENSIVE HERE OR HERE | SIMILAR BLACK AND GOLD LAMP HERE or LESS EXPENSIVE HERE | VELVET CHRISTMAS TREES | POM POM GARLAND | BERRY WREATH |
