Ask The Interior Designer

Today, I will provide the answer to a previously asked interior design question.  Each Tuesday I will pick one question that has been asked and dedicate an entire blog to answering that question.  Feel free to post questions on the Designing Life Facebook page, as a comment on this blog, or you can Convo a question to me on the Etsy Shop for Designing Life.

Question:

Is it necessary to match all of the wood furniture in each room?  The furniture stores sell sets of bedroom furniture that are all cherry or dining sets that are all mahogany, but is that something that must be done to be correct?

Answer:

While there is nothing wrong with buying a bedroom set or dining set that all have the same finish or veneer, most interior designers love using multiple types of wood furniture within each room.  The story behind furniture is often the most important aspect of design.  The mahogany roll top desk that once belonged to a grandparent has so much history that the piece should not be sacrificed just because the perfect bookshelf for the study only came in cherry.  Each new wood color within a room adds character to a room.

One reason that furniture stores sell the matching sets is in order to encourage a customer to buy more furniture than they need during one purchase.  If a customer needs a chest of drawers for their bedroom and sees an entire set within their budget, the customer may purchase the entire set even though they may already have a headboard or bedside tables.  The main thing to consider when going furniture shopping is not matching the finishes, but rather buying the best quality piece of furniture within your budget.  Reconsider going with the matching set that seems like a steal and instead buy a nicer chest of drawers that will last for years to come.

Friday Furniture Feature: Matthew Holdren Woodworking

Furniture Maker: Matthew Holdren

Location:  New Orleans, Louisiana

Etsy Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/matthewholdren

Portfolio: www.flickr.com/matthewholdren

Specialty: Furniture and lighting made from reclaimed material salvaged from 100+ year old abandoned New Orleans homes



The French Quarter Bed



I found Matthew Holdren’s Etsy shop while browsing for unique local furniture.  His products are distinctive in that they are made from reclaimed material from old New Orleans homes.  The reuse of these materials is fantastic because instead of them being lost forever, they are being fashioned into furniture and lighting pieces that hold a part of the heritage of the New Orleans area.

The first piece that struck me as a great find was the French Quarter bed.  If you have ever been to New Orleans, then you know that intricate iron work laces the balconies of the French Quarter.  The French Quarter Bed has a headboard that is made up of some of this same ironwork.  This bed would make a statement in any room with the rich wood framing to the ornate ironwork.


Small Under Window Bookcase



I love small bookcases!  This being said, Matthew Holdren’s Etsy shop has the perfect size bookcase to go under a window.  The small bookcase made of reclaimed pine and has a stylishly rustic look.  This piece would be perfect in a dining room or kitchen for holding cookbooks or in a living room as a wonderful accent bookshelf.

Be sure to check out Matthew Holdren Woodworking’s Portfolio to see his custom projects.  Some other notable items from the portfolio are farm tables, lighting, and bathroom cabinetry.  Whether you are right next door to Louisiana or miles away, you can have a piece of New Orleans in your own home.  I hope you will fall in love with these awesome pieces of furniture as much as I have!