Design Vibes Mash-up: H+J Living Room

I created "Design Vibes" when I realized how limiting design styles are for my clients. Design Vibes encompass the look, feel and experience that can be created in a space. By highlighting a handful of words, my clients help me understand what they're drawn to. If there is more than one decision maker on a project, I have them both fill out the design vibes sheet. I then have to find a way to blend both of their vibes together, see how I can incorporate each of their vibes into the home. My friend Brooke came up with the term "mash up" to describe this process and I love it. I'm doing a mini series where I solicited 5 couples' help so I could show all of you my process behind mashing up vibes. Third in this series, are my friends H+ J.

H chose: bright, decluttered, inviting, nature-inspired, relaxed, warm.

J chose: botanical, calm, comforting, inviting, relaxed.

 In doing this exercise with couples, it's nice to see where the overlap is happening, what they have in common. These two actually have a lot in common, and both lists pair so well together. Here's what lines up for these two:

• nature-inspired + botanical

• relaxed

• warm + inviting

• comfortable + calm

  
  

I would also add to their list: harmony, flow, connection, and organic to layer the design even further, to get more specific with my selections for them.

This is what I came up with for the H+J vibes mash up. When I look at the overall design, it's a very clean and calm look. Relaxed, too. You can see the nature-inspired + botanical elements in both the greenery and the wallcovering. I love the harmony-flow-connection of the wallcovering. It's striking but works in this space. The color + textures in this space feel soothing, inviting. The sectional has contrast leather frame and fabric seating, which adds interest to a neutral looking space. There's a simplicity here which can't be ignored--it's not a fussy design. J is a musician, and I feel like they could throw up an (acoustic) guitar on the wall and it would blend right in with the space.

The rug is kid + pet friendly to fit this family's lifestyle. I chose one of my favorite white paint colors for the walls for a clean look, but what I'd really do is color match the cream/beige color for the walls surrounding the wallpaper accent.

In a client project, I'd use this as a starting point, a jumping off point to help me make a design and select all the details that go with it. This design mash up isn't really meant to be THE design, but rather help see where there's overlap and also how to incorporate what each person cares about. Getting those vibes right is so important!

Need your copy of my design vibes sheet? Get the updated version here.

See Design Vibes in action here.