Have you noticed there is something instantly calming when a home doesn’t look as if it was furnished all in one afternoon. In fact, the room feels like it just “happened.”
Perhaps some of the pieces were discovered at a thrift shop, an antique shop, or were inherited. The dining table is from the 1930s while the dining chairs themselves are mismatched antiques from an earlier era. The wood tones throughout the house range from deep walnut to scrubbed pine, and these differences not only somehow blend seamlessly and speak of previous lifetimes.
Mixing eras and stain finishes isn’t just acceptable, it’s where the magic happens. A collected look creates so much charm in a space.
In this photo the dark brown cannonball bed frame is probably from the 80s or 90s, while the red stained vintage campaign side table is decidedly more masculine. Yet, somehow, the two look great together and the differences make each piece look better than if they were of the same style and wood stain finish.
Here is that same campaign side table in our new home. It is sitting comfortably next to a country style loveseat with yellow stained legs, and just across the doorway from an antique pie safe with a medium reddish stain. Somehow each piece sits easily with the others.
Why a Perfect Match Can Fall Flat
A fully matched furniture set can feel safe, but it can also feel a little… expected. Sometimes this very coordinated look can lend a feeling to the space that everything is perfect, calculated and it starts to read as stiff, staged rather than lived in. This feeling can be uncomfortable to visitors. There is a certain ease that comes with a casual blend of things. Besides, when every finish is the same and every piece comes from the same catalog page, the room loses depth, it loses personality.
According to Rita Konig, British interior designer, the litmus test question for a pleasing, inviting room was: “do you want to sit down? If so, it’s because the chairs look comfortable, there’s a big fireplace, the fire’s lit, the lighting is good, there are books around, people live here, there are plants, there are all these things that make it an evocative and comfortable room to be in. That’s the magic.”
In our sitting room at our old house we had an inherited wingback chair. There are a pair of them actually and they are very comfortable. The fabric though… I don’t like it at all. If you’ve ever looked into reupholstery, you’ll know why these wingbacks are still sporting the big purple irises on the yellow background. But even these chairs with the ugly fabric have somehow settled into the background and we don’t really notice them any longer (not that I wouldn’t recover them if I had the chance!).
The Role of Era in Storytelling
Furniture carries the personality of its era. A mid-century walnut chair has a different posture and presence than a frilly Victorian oak settee. Mixes like this are sure to have a story, and that is intriguing! It’s not about mixing at random, but about choosing pieces that appeal to you. Chances are, the overall look created by the pieces you choose will have a common thread, they will share a mood, proportion, or purpose, even if they don’t share the same decade. For example: a farmhouse trestle table can happily coexist with vintage bentwood chairs creating a relaxed sense of welcome.
Anchoring the Look
If you’re hesitant about mixing, start with an anchor piece, something that sets the tone for the space. Then, layer in furniture from other eras or finishes in a way that feels intentional. Repetition will help. Echo the darker stain of your coffee table in a picture frame, or repeat the lighter oak of a vintage stool in a nearby lamp base. Just remember not to take it all too seriously, if it all doesn’t go together nicely it is okay. The key is to do the best you can with what you have and when you have the opportunity to get something new, then you can choose pieces that move in your preferred direction.
A Home That Feels Yours
The beauty of mixing eras and finishes is that no one else will have your exact combination. Your home is uniquely yours. It is a visual record of your own taste, travels, and history. Maybe the oak bookcase was your first grown-up stain project, the antique chest was a flea market find, and the oak table came from your grandfather’s kitchen. Together, they create a space that has become your home. In the end, the mix is the magic. It’s what turns a room into a reflection of your life, not just your shopping list. Until next time, take care,
Rachel
