Mix It Up!

Beauty is in the blend.

Written by Martha S. Coffey

Photos courtesy of Rockville Interiors and Fabrics

As a result of global marketing, easy international travel and instantaneous information exchange, the trend today in home furnishings is away from all parts matching. Rather than a haphazard mishmash, how can homeowners achieve a pleasing mix of design elements?

Tom Fulop, owner of Rockville Interiors and Fabrics, says that decorating magazines are a great source of inspiration. He encourages homeowners to collect pictures of interiors that appeal to them and then analyze them to determine the common thread. Communicated to an experienced decorator, this common thread becomes the basis of the home's interior design.

Color Mixing Recipe

When asked if there are any hard and fast rules for mixing colors in a room, Tom recommends choosing the element with the most colors first. This might be an Oriental rug or a floral fabric, for instance. All other colors are then selected to coordinate with this first choice. He explains that the classic "mix" involves using one floral or damask, one solid or texture, a stripe, plus a geometric. Experts caution that combining two or more of these elements can be tricky and that the key to success is varying the scale of the patterns. A large floral and a tiny floral print can co-exist as can a large plaid with a small check.

Accoutrements Count

The professionals at Rockville Interiors and Fabrics say they are often asked how things like window treatments, pillows, and trims figure into a pleasing home interior. Tom says that these elements are "the equivalent of what jewelry, shoes, and handbags are to an outfit."

To homeowners who wish to make the greatest impact without doing a complete makeover, he recommends changing a room's slipcovers and pillows.

Throughout his many years in the interior design business, he has learned that "even the most clueless of clients" can, with the help of professionals, make selections in furnishings that will produce that beautiful blend that makes a house a home.