Matchy matchy or mixed eclectic?

[bellacullen18981]

Hi all, just wondering what everyone does ie furniture? Am on a budget so can't really afford the next catalogue cover! Is all the matching stuff out now ? I love all the vintage pieces I see in magazines etc but I don't know how to pull it all together, any thoughts or ideas?

[JumpRope]

I like using wooden bits and natural linens, with a couple of bright cushions. I think all types of wood look nice together, I would not try and match it all up.

[bellacullen18981]

Mrs, where do you buy your furniture? Do you up cycle yourself? I've seen nice bits on eBay . Love the sound of vintage pink

[Lioninthesun]

Just get whatever you love bit by bit. I think matching stuff looks naff and means you have to change it ALL if you are basing it on a trend. Have a hunt in charity shops if you want a colour theme but something that means something/strikes you as beautiful is more important than the latest vase from a catalogue! It also means your home will feel like yours and you can develop your own taste rather than relying on everyone else to tell you if something is 'cool' or not.

[bellacullen18981]

Loving the ideas... I live in a new build house and I'm trying to build it up from scratch , I'm on a budget so will have a rummage in the Sally Ann lol, I really want this house to feel homely but really not sure where to start.

[HerRoyalNotness]

I like ecletic. A friend does it really well, but a) she is a photographer, so very arty b) has been collecting for years! Another friend has quite a collection of vintage things, but is at the 2nd hand stores ALL THE TIME.

[Catsmamma]

local auctions can be good for bargains.


side tables, odd (in all senses) lamps, random chairs/sofas, antique and modern!


I got a really fab, if a little grubby 5 seater corner sofa...FOR £4.00 .... YES FOUR POUNDS!!

I intended to steam clean it with my new steamer, and it was meant for the children's sitting room so was going to be covered in throws, but all the covers come right off, cushions and the body of the sofa, and they have come up lovely in the machine.

and we found a silver bracelet down the back of the cushions!

[HerRoyalNotness]

Have a look on freecycle too, and whatever the selling equivalent is. I got a brass drinks cart from the 80s for $40 one time. The guy was clearing his parents house out, due to the latest trends, he could have got a lot more for it.

[HerRoyalNotness]

Cats, that reminds me of the chair I have for 6quid. It has a rocking mechanism in it too. Although I can't afford to reupholster it, it's sitting forlornly in my room and I'm wondering whether to save up for it, or chuck it.

[Mordirig]

Eww no matchy match ta!
I find everything either on eBay or local charity shops and have also saved up for a few custom made pieces of furniture from local carpenters/designers.
Nothing very expensive but mainly because I wanted bits to fit a certain awkward spaces so the house is completely utilised efficiently.
I keep to a colour pallet, currently I am decorating using light olives, hessian, creams and shades of amber/red in the living areas.
I bought a 7ft birch table and 10 chairs for 200 and will be sanding it down and having it wet sprayed in eggshell off white on top and olive legs.
I can never find exactly what I want or picture up in my head in a shop or if I get close it costs ££££ so I always take my time to get what I want, I am always happy with the end results though.

[echt]

Looking round our living room, only two of the rugs, and the floor lamps were bought new. Everything else came from parents/Salvos/nature strips/garage sales.

I don't judge match-matchy, or at least not to the face of the stylee, but I dislike it myself. Now I think of it, only our bathroom is symmetrical in its arrangement of drawers and lights.

I love askew/aslant/mismatched.

[puffylovett]

I get everything second hand, too.

I read a quote once, that said 'don't have AnYtHING in your home, useful or otherwise, that is not either beautiful or you absolutely love'

I try to live by that rule. I hate matchy matchy personally, I much prefer eclectic :)

[springchickennolonger]

I'm quite matchy (apparently a sign of class insecurity) ! but I at least try toning shades of the same colour to relieve the boredom. Eclectic stresses me out.

Most of my furniture is painted to go with whatever look I'm into. Shabby Chic is great for me as I'm quite skint at the moment.

[bellacullen18981]

So are we not liking the next catalogue living rooms then ? Slowly slides catalogue under the sofa ........

[Pizdets]

bella our house if full of tatty furniture waiting for some tlc which I've picked up off gumtree or from charity shops but both our sofas are next - I really rate them, such good value and hardwearing. I think the point is to look for stuff you love irrespective of where it's come from (and according to budget!). Love next lightshades too and not afraid to admit it!

[nilbyname]

I have eclectic, and quite colourful, but I think I need to pare it back a bit as it is verging on student house, too many things in quite a small space. I think eclectic works, if mixed well and not too much of it and beautiful walls that bring it all together.

Pinterest is your friend.

[CointreauVersial]

I'm a bit matchy, I'm afraid. But I tend to have very neutral decor and just add colour with soft furnishings (curtains, cushions etc.). That makes it easy to pull a look together, and easy to change if you fancy a new colour.

I love second hand furniture, though, but it does take time to hunt it down.