Crazy. Colorful. Fun.

So many times I've read this advice in a decorating magazine: "Choose what you love, it will all work together."  I disagree.  There's lots of things I love that decidedly do not look good together.  Then there are some very different styles that unexpectedly do.  A great example of a bold mix that does work: the colorful riot of patterns, hues and styles in the photo above.  Toile and geometric, sleek and ornate, orange, pink, black, turquoise:  each plays off each other to make the other look better.  The only way to find out if a mixture will achieve this kind of magic:  just try it.  Mix, mingle, add, rearrange -- and then edit until it feels right. The results can be oh so fresh and fun.

Photo by James Merrell for Living Etc. As spied on Decorista Daydreams

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