A Blend of Styles

Many times I am asked about how do you mix contemporary with traditional,  how do you bring together different styles to make it look like you own it. I often respond with it depends... it depends on the architecture of your space, the light and then your materials.

This very beautiful apartment in Paris of two designers Gilles and Boissier have balanced all of these elements. They have a stunning light filled apartment with very traditional molding and paneling. It appears each wall, door and ceiling has paneling or delicately carved molding, making it very traditional, perhaps from the late 18th or early 19th century. Painting it all white restrains the architectural features and using very classical and traditional marble and quality wood but leaving it very minimal blends the styles. Limited patterns and colors but using the textures of the materials to carry the patterns and colors. Installing furniture with simple lines but comfortable. These are some of the techniques designers use to bring together and blend styles across many periods.

The use of black along the ceiling defines the molding, very elegant feature.

Simple gathered curtains rather than swags and tails creates a far more sophisticated room.

Ahhh, Carrara marble...

And the kitchen a blend of wood and marble, uncarved, unadorned , just the pattern and colors of the materials speak. This very beautiful apartment can be seen at Affante.com.

Greige

Greige is a color between gray and beige. It is an easy color to live with, it is more calm than stimulating so it makes very good living rooms and bedrooms. It is has an air of sophistication, not choosing a subjective color. However because of its neutrality any color will look very good next to it. Yellow is particularly good, pink definitely, black is striking and red enriches it. We see it with a touch of orange often.

Which style does it suit; almost always with a faded chateau look, looks very good with contemporary clean lines and most suited to a renovated industrial space. It also has an effect on the light making it softer, diffused.

Some would say it is safe, I would say it is good taste. Some materials are particularly suitable for this color: wood, brick, stones, metals and glass. Its best fabric companion is linen.

And there is the fantastic blog: Greige Design

all images via Pinterest