^ designing with deb
How do I marry two very different styles?
W
hen this question arose about marry- ing two very unique design styles, I knew
what I wanted to say but didn’t know quite how to say it. After returning from my fourth wedding of the summer, I sat down to write my column and thought Yikes, how am I going to make this work! And boom—it came to me! Each of the four weddings I’d been to was so
different: One was a mountain destination; one was a backyard wedding; one was in a traditional venue, but the bride and groom are gamers and there was a definite homage to their hobbies; and one was on the grounds of a beautiful mansion. The common theme that popped into my head is that as different as each wedding was, each of the two individuals getting married was equally different, and yet they were perfect for each other. They were the perfect blend of each individual’s style—not outshining or overpowering the other. You can achieve success in mixing your favorite styles (rustic and mid-century modern, for example, as seen in this home tour) by creating contrast: hard and soft, skirted furniture pieces with un-skirted, wood and metal. This is where achieving balance comes in—and I don’t mean it’s always going to be 50/50. If that were the case you would end up with two sides clashing without a clear winner. You need to determine a dominant style. Even having said that, you don’t want to have too much of a good thing either. Take a little time to plan and as always, curate your space over time. Also be willing to admit if you didn’t get it right the first time. If you’re just not feeling something, step back and re-evaluate. You may need to do something as simple as move a piece or pieces to a different room, or even just a different place in the same room. A couple of specifics for mixing rustic and mid-century modern: • Both designs can have a real focus on wood, just don’t get too wood- happy (furniture, walls, flooring, ceiling). This is where balance matters. You can add warmth with color(s) and textures with fabrics on your furniture, window treatments, rugs. • Use a Saarinen tulip chair and put a fabulous tribal print fabric on the seat cushion. • Lighting: you know I’m going to work in how important I think lighting is. Visit your local box store, specifically the plumbing department, and create your own sconces. A classic Artichoke light with wood leaves would be gor- geous and add a really great vibe. Now, by the power vested in me, I declare these two styles to be one in your space—with a little creativity and effort.
Justin built Hazel’s magnificent tree house. It is truly a work of art among the natural elements of the back yard.
is made from pallet wood he found. In the master bathroom, Justin made the countertops out of wood from his father’s house and used old gas cans as light pendants above the vanity. “A lot of my work is so unique because it’s made out of a pole or random log I found,” Justin said. “I love finding new things to work with.” Even after five full years of renovations and changes, the house still has a never-ending list of things to do and space to fill. Somewhere out there is an old tin can waiting to become a sink basin, or an old piece of thrown-away wood calling to be a small birdhouse for a fairy garden. Next on their list is the outdoor space. With a garden already in the works, Tammy said they would love to be able to grow a lot more than just herbs and some veggies. However, no matter how far they get with their home, it may never be truly complete in their eyes. “You name it, it’s on our list of things to do,” Tammy said. “Everything is always a work in progress. As soon as we finish something, we always want to go back and work it again. I don’t think this house will ever be truly finished and that’s kind of the way we like it.”
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-Deb
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Samantha is a freelance writer and editor in Kansas City. She’s a recent University of Kansas journalism graduate (go Jayhawks!) who can be found buried in a good book, traveling the country, and even world, or wandering around Kansas City.
Deb Vogler has been creating her own brand of Comfort by Design for more than 15 years. She deals with all aspects of design, from budgeting, to floor plans (renovation or new construction), to furniture, to color at her full-scale design firm. Have a designing question for Deb? Send it to debvogler@msn.com.
29 vintagekc fall 2015
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