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So when we finally saved enough money to purchase new furniture, we began in the bedroom and were determined to buy a matching set. We started with the bed and two dressers and then over the course of the next two years added the matching bedside table, bench, and mirror one piece at a time. Perfect – or so we thought.
Some would say pretty but it is just not our style (OK, my style) anymore. Truth be told, my husband still likes it. Although the furniture is very good quality, the arts and crafts motif does not fit with the rest of the house and I prefer a more “collected over time” look.
What to do?
My plan is to slowly start un-matching this room. The first item to go will be the bench. I plan to list it on Craigslist and then use the money to purchase a new bench.
Also included in the plan will be moving the bed to my son’s room. At the moment he has only a bedframe, and this style of bed – to me – is more fitting for a boy’s room than for a master bedroom.
Changing out these two pieces of furniture will go a long way to making this room less matchy-matchy. Eventually the mirror, tall dresser, and side table will also be relocated like they were acquired, piece by piece, over a long period of time and as they are found.
The ironic part is how things seem to have come full circle. We began with a mix of styles, went to a matching set and are now going back to a more eclectic look.
So, how about you? Do you prefer a room which looks collected over time or one which is made up of matching pieces? I am interested in hearing your opinion.
19 comments:
Hi Stacy,
Oh how true this is....your bedroom is really beautiful but I can so relate to changing your style. I'm going through that right now with my dining room. Good luck with your redo.
Marianne :)
What you have is lovely! I like the arts and craft look and you can tell from the pictures that it is very high quality furniture. I can understand how you get tired of it all matching over time and it's good that you have the option to move a piece to your son's room to make room for something different in your own room.
I like a more collected look with everything not matching but our bedroom is not like that at all. I inherited a set of antique Bird's Eye Maple bedroom furniture from the 20's from my great aunt that I treasure. It does match, the only room like that in my house!
I hope you find something new that you like for your bedroom.
Love what you're doing! While your room looks nice as is, I understand the fun and challenge of putting things together that didn't come that way. And the variety!! It will be fun to see how your room evolves.
That is funny how you are coming full circle, Stacy! I don't have matching pieces - anymore. We had a large piece that was two side armoires and a back storage/mirror piece that was basically our headboard. When we moved the armoire pieces into our redone walk in closet, we got rid of the middle bridge piece. So I had no headboard and no side tables {the side tables are built into the armoire pieces and would slide in and out as needed}. That started me on my journey to a mix! I think it's very smart to try and sell some of the pieces and use that toward new. Maybe even painting some of what you do have.
I totally understand what you're saying. In looking at your room and the lovely and special furniture you have put in there, I think the simple changes of the new bench and bed would be enough to keep the look eclectic. The couple of dressers and nightstands will still not look so matchy with a new bed of a different color and a more luxurious bench...and maybe some new brighter and lighter accessories :)
Your room will look great I'm sure, no matter what you do, but I do think the pieces you have are very classic and you can easily attain your goal with smaller changes.
I just redid my master bedroom also. I like my room to feel put together and organized, and having some pieces match adds a feeling of stability and tranquility that I prefer in my peaceful space over too a lot of eclectic furniture.
Same here. We began our marriage with me wanting everything to be matchy matchy. I wanted "sets". Maybe because it was so much easier just to bring things home put together in the showroom.
Totally different now...I love the collected look. I don't want things to all go together. I want things in my home to tell stories that have occured over many many years.
Happy Mother's Day.
I definately now strive for a collected over time look; however, you completely nailed it when you said that when you were finally able to save and afford some post-college furniture, you immediately went for the match set. We did the same, and now we also are unmatching our sets. In fact, we are separating all our bedroom pieces too for our next home, and already sold our headboard =)
Your room is gorgeous. I like the collected look. I've never had a matching set, so may that's why. Can't wait to see the changes. Hugs, Marty
I too want to unmatch our bedroom. My husband bought an entirely matching bedroom set with all the bells and whistles right before we met. He's still in love with it, and therefore I can't get him to say goodbye to it. Unless... someone where to "accidently" take a HUGE gouge out of the monster dresser. Me thinks I have an idea ;D
Normally I prefer a unmatched look but in my master I do have furniture that matches and I truly love it. You can see it on my blogs sidebar. My room is a soft blue and cream and white color pallete and it is so soothing in there. I honestly would not change a thing. Kathysue
I think the more personal "un-matched" look just makes any room more interesting...it is perhaps more of a challenge, and definitely takes more time and effort, but is well worth it. I too started out, or wanted to start out... with a more matched look. But over the years I've inherited some really lovely antique pieces, and have become so much more savvy about putting things together; now it is such a fun challenge! We will all be watching here...
Collected over time is what we learn later in life, as they say "if I only knew then what I know now" right? I think your idea of moving your bed to your son's room is a great idea! I know this room will be beautiful when you are done.
I love that collected-over-time look!
That bed would look great painted navy in a boys room!
Also, if you could remove that top trim piece from the mirror and paint the frame an unexpected color, like charcoal or turquoise... it would help take the arts and crafts edge off.
Can't wait to see what you do! You have such a good eye!
- {darlene}
I have a bedroom set that has a headboard, two side tables and a dresser with mirror, that match. These pieces were handmade and expensive, so I know I wont get rid of them. I have changed the look by making quilts and changing accessories as often as I can. Although I love the collected over time look for other rooms in my house. Can't wait to see what you do to obtain this look.
I understand everything you are saying. My husband and I had all mismatched things and hand me downs when we first got together 25 years ago and it drove me crazy. I dreamed to have a matching bedroom suite one day. And I have had 2 since. And now I'm completely like you. I feel my room is too matchy, matchy and I'm slowing mixing it up. I can't wait to see the results of your room when it is done. BTW, the room still looks nice now.
We have a matching bedroom set that I am WISHING I could un-match. However, my honey will not part with the "set" as a "set". Maybe one day I will win this battle because I do prefer an eclectic mix of materials, styles, and things being found over time. Thanks for sharing the post... it let's me know I'm not the only one living in a world of matching bedroom sets.
Stacy,
I totally agree!
I just got rid of our bedroom set last year to create more of a
"collected over time" look.
I do not like things to match at all now. :)
Love your blog!
Traci
Isn't it funny how everything comes full circle, no matter what it is? I like a collected look, and always prefer it when I design for someone else. You are brilliant to beak it up (your pieces are gorgeous -- the tiger maple drawers are exquisite)and use it in other spaces -- and so on trend with recycle and reuse :)!! Your bedroom is lovely Stacy.
Funny how we change isn't it? I am in the same predicament with furniture and love the collected look more and more. It will be fun to watch as your room changes.
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