The Art of the Mix: Blending Styles for a Unique Dining Experience
Hello and welcome to the Collected West blog!
In previous posts, we've explored how seemingly small details, like a styled shelf, can infuse a home with personality and purpose. At Collected West, our philosophy centers on the idea that a truly beautiful home isn't about rigid rules or fleeting trends. Instead, it's about a thoughtful accumulation of pieces that resonate with you, creating spaces that feel authentically yours.
Today, I'm excited to highlight one of the spaces in our home that embodies this approach: our dining room. This room didn’t start with a preconceived vision. Its journey was wonderfully organic, a testament to the idea that by simply bringing together elements you love over time, a cohesive and character-rich space can emerge.
The Unplanned Charm: A Symphony of Collected Pieces
When we first began furnishing this dining room, there wasn't a mood board or a fixed theme dictating every choice. Rather, it became a canvas for items gathered over the years, each carrying its own history and distinct charm. The true magic unfolded as these disparate elements began to find their natural harmony together.
This room beautifully illustrates how allowing a space to evolve through collected pieces, rather than adhering to a strict plan, can result in a unique and beautiful space. It's about trusting your instincts and letting your unique taste be the guiding force. This results in a sustainable and practical approach to decorating - since we all can’t purchase brand new pieces every time we move.
Let's explore some of the key elements that brought this philosophy to life:
The Table & Chairs: Foundations for Gathering. For the heart of any dining space, I sought a substantial and inviting table, one that could comfortably host both lively gatherings and quiet moments - especially since our home is open floor plan. Our dark, oval dining table from Restoration Hardware became that anchor. Finding the seating then became a treasure hunt. All six of our dining chairs were acquired on separate trips to Joy's Consigned Furnishings in Denver – a testament to the value of patience in building a collected home. The four smaller chairs are classic Shelby Williams Gazelle models, a lucky consignment find I purchased for a fraction of the value. The two larger chrome end chairs, discovered on a different visit to Joy's, subtly echo the teal accents present in some of the room's art, creating a harmonious yet understated palette.
The Repurposed Rug: Layering a space with texture is essential, and the rich, complex patterns of our vintage Persian rug immediately established the room's warm tone. This rug, a cherished piece from our previous home, found its perfect new purpose here. It's more than just a floor covering; it's a piece of art itself, grounding the space and effortlessly tying together diverse design elements.
The Importance of Art: Our Ever-Evolving Gallery
My appreciation for art is a cornerstone of Collected West, and in this dining room, it truly takes center stage. What adorns these walls isn't a pre-selected gallery; it's a dynamic collection that has grown as we've encountered pieces that genuinely resonate. This approach highlights the power of building a personal gallery driven by passion, not simply by what "matches."
The Statement Piece: The large, abstract artwork, a Caroline Pinney piece, holds a prominent spot above the buffet. Its vibrant colors and expressive strokes inject significant energy and life into the room, acting as a perfect counterpoint to more traditional elements and epitomizing the "art of the mix." To enhance its presence, we added a picture light above it (this particular one was an estate sale find, though similar classic styles are available, like this option from House of Troy), which makes a notable impact, especially in the evenings.
A Nod to History & Fortuitous Finds: Beside the large abstract, and continuing onto the next wall, hangs a collection of antique portraits. These darker, moodier faces, gathered over the past decade, bring a nice depth that balances the room's otherwise colorful and eclectic feel. And then, there are those two smaller abstract pieces – one of my most thrilling thrift store discoveries! The moment I saw them, I knew they were special. I found them for less than $20 each, only to later confirm they were original pieces by the talented Barbara Wilson, valued at $950 each – I still can't believe they were at a thrift store! Their colors also serendipitously tied into the broader palette of our home.
Western Whispers & Whimsical Touches: The longhorn horns above the modern art introduce that essential Western influence, a bold, sculptural element that feels both authentic and unexpected. For moments of pure personality, we also included a pair of small oil paintings on the column separating the rooms, and a framed Olive Oyl sketch, a quirky find from a tent in Round Top. These small, surprising details often give a collected home its unique personality.
The Subtle Surprises: Details That Delight and Define
Beyond the major pieces, it's the smaller, more unexpected elements that contribute significantly to this room's charm, showcasing design as a strategic solution, not just an aesthetic pursuit.
That Ceiling! A Defining Element: Perhaps the most striking design choice in the room is the Morris & Co. Marigold wallpaper on the ceiling. While a significant investment, it was a deliberate decision. Given our home's open concept, with only columns separating the dining from the living space, the wallpapered ceiling acts as a powerful visual tool. It creates room definition and fosters a much-desired sense of coziness. This highlights a core Collected West principle: thoughtful design can beautifully address a room's architectural "imperfections" when a full structural change isn't an option.
Collected Vessels & Functional Charm: I'm always on the lookout for unique, large bowls at thrift stores. The vibrant, multi-colored bowl on our dining table, for instance, not only brings a pop of color but also serves a practical purpose – often corralling kids' art supplies. You'll also find another on our vintage silver bar cart (a Chicago find from 15 years ago), which serves the very practical purpose of clearing dishes after dinner.
Buffet & Lamps: Practicality Meets Polish: Our wooden buffet, an on-sale purchase from Ballard Designs, offers both generous storage and a versatile display surface. The Regina Andrew buffet lamps add a touch of elegance and provide warm, ambient light that's perfect for evening entertaining. On the buffet, a simple white tray transforms into a convenient "help-yourself" cocktail bar when we entertain, keeping things inviting and relaxed.
Accessible Accents: Not every element needs to be a splurge. Our deep teal curtains were an affordable Amazon find, and the bamboo shades offer an excellent way to add warmth and natural texture to the room without a significant investment.
Personal Touches: The "Mexico City" book on the wooden chest is more than just decor; it's a reminder of a favorite recent trip, seamlessly integrating personal memories into the design.
Embracing the "Art of the Mix" in Your Own Home
Our dining room is a testament to the belief that a home doesn't need to conform to a single style or a pre-set vision to be beautiful. It’s about combining pieces you truly cherish, allowing them to create a unique dialogue that reflects your journey and tastes. This is the heart of Collected West's philosophy: empowering you to make your space uniquely yours, one thoughtfully chosen piece at a time.
I encourage you to look at your own spaces through a "Collected West" lens and consider these principles:
Trust Your Taste: Resist the urge to buy everything at once. When you acquire pieces you genuinely love over time, allowing your space to evolve organically, they will inevitably find a way to work together, creating a home with depth, soul, and personal memories.
Embrace the Hunt: Some of the most character-rich pieces in our home came from unexpected places – consignment shops, estate sales, and thrift stores. These finds add authenticity and a unique narrative that new items simply can't replicate.
Design as a Solution: Identify your home's unique characteristics or "imperfections," and then think creatively about how design elements can provide both practical and beautiful solutions – whether it's a ceiling treatment for visual separation or versatile furniture for entertaining ease.
Let Your Story Unfold: Every item you bring into your home offers an opportunity to express your personality, your travels, and your passions. Allow your home to grow with you, incorporating new memories and treasures along the way.
I hope this deep dive into our dining room inspires you to embrace the rewarding process of "The Art of the Mix" in your own Collected West journey.
Until next time, keep collecting, keep creating, and keep telling your story.
