3 min readWhen you’re shopping for furniture, it can be tempting to buy all-matching everything, whether it’s a dining room set or a sofa with corresponding club chairs. Sure, buying everything in the same color and style is certainly convenient, but doing this may result in a flat aesthetic.
Instead, NYC-based interior designer Brad Thornton suggests pairing pieces that have a similar “thread,” rather than going for the matching modular: “You want your pieces to be cousins, not siblings,” he says.
Like a distant family resemblance, you want your pieces to feel similar, but not twinning. Defying the cookie-cutter aesthetic, this method results in a more curated and visually appealing space.
Ahead, Thornton walks through his thought process when pairing pieces and explains how you can apply this method the next time you take on a renovation—or even a simple room refresh.
Play With Patterns
While incorporating varying patterns can feel overwhelming, when thoughtfully placed, they can have a huge impact. Take the above Thornton-designed living room, for example. By carrying the vertical lines of the window frame to the centered coffee table, Thornton creates a statement without having to reach for a vibrant hue or busy print.
The room, connected to the patio, brings the outdoor vibe in by incorporating the same earthy tone of the outdoor dining set into the throw cushions and imagery featured on the coffee table books.
The outdoors takes yet another stride through the threshold with the addition of the potted plant and sculptural moss balls displayed on the coffee table. This brings in a touch of natural green to channel the lush landscape and creates a sense of synergy between the spaces.
The “Thread” Doesn’t Have to Dominate
Balance is at the core of Thornton’s method. In every room and aesthetic, it's important to remember that designing with a “thread” is not the same as designing with a theme.
“It doesn't have to be loud, but there needs to be a shared DNA. Whether it’s the scale, a specific material, or a recurring shape, having that common DNA helps the eye naturally group them. If you have that anchor, you can afford to be much more adventurous with the differences. If everything is a sibling, the room is boring; if nothing is even a distant cousin, the room is chaotic. You’re looking for that sweet spot in the middle,” Thornton says.
Combining palettes with varying materials is a great way to achieve balance, as Thornton demonstrates in the above bedroom design. Carrying the rich marble veining from the headboard to the small box on the bedside table and then channeling the same rich green hue in the bedding, he creates a relation between the three items and combines them into one “family.” He does the same with the bold walnut tone of the chest and statement pillow, placed front and center to draw attention and create contrast. He channels the raw, straw tones of the wall art into the woven palm leaves above the headboard and the neatly placed walnut nightstand.
“By letting these pieces talk to one another through shared undertones and movement rather than identical finishes, the room gains a layered, sophisticated depth that feels intentional but never too literal,” Thornton says.
Ditch Beige for a Palette With Personality
When Thornton was just getting started in the design world, he noticed a shocking lack of variation in his clients’ requests.
“I was constantly met with the imperative to deliver rooms that were ‘inoffensive.’ Lots of beige, lots of blobby bouclé sofas, and very little soul,” Thornton explains. “I realized quickly that a space that looks exactly the way you expect it to never actually feels finished. It's waiting for someone to choose it and bring it to life. It’s too fragile.”
That's not to say that you can’t design with neutrals. Thornton’s secret weapon when designing any palette or aesthetic is a healthy dose of disruption, as seen in the dining room he styled above. Starting with a moderately neutral base, Thornton ties his design together with a pop of mustard that transfers naturally from the art adorning the walls to the dining table, complementing the subtle warmth of the light hardwood flooring. He also incorporates teal for contrast, completing the design without feeling visually aggressive.
