This might be one of the more niche nopes I’ve attempted, but I think it needs to be said. Maybe not everyone has seen the extreme of what I am about to say, but there are lessons within that we can all use to our stylistic advantages. So even if you have never been to that Silverlake house that is textbook mismatched and overdone modern, know it’s out there, and also know it is something you should avoid in your own home, be it literally or figuratively.

So. For those who do live in Los Angeles, have you ever had the experience of walking into a house and the style is that of an art museum’s display of modern furniture? Of course there is the classic Eames with ottoman, but maybe the leather is green. And then that button couch that looks like a torture device to sit in, but that’s purple. And since it is all modern, why not toss in a Philippe Starck couch facing it, with a not matching Stark lamp? Why not stuff a Van der Rohe Barcelona chair around the kidney table too. Finish the masterpiece off with a few more of those plastic Eames in random colors, because who doesn’t want to sit in plastic chairs in the living room. And for lighting? Whatever. As long as it’s Dutch and from the 50′s. Colors? Sure. Don’t stop there, toss in that giant curved reading/floor lamp that people are always bumping into and breaking. Nothing like a real mishmash of Danish, Bauhaus and Mid-Century to tickle the senses.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate this stuff, and some of it I really love. But there is a certain style matched with a certain house (usually one that the owners refer to by name “This is a Nereo House.. soo..”) that just oozes collection of modern more than comfortable living room. To the point where you sense it’s for show-off value more than style. Then you’ve crossed the line and your living room just looks like the modern furniture prop room on the Paramount lot. if you are going to cross that line, be prepared to go all the way. Do you think people in the 60s didn’t match their furniture? Because they did. I once went to a house for a photo shoot that even had period correct rotary phones and old magazines on the coffee table, date-correct I’m sure. And yes, the furniture all matched. Crazy and kinda ugly, but matched. I wouldn’t want to live there but appreciated the effort. And that person can rent it out for shoots.

But if not done right? Let me be the first to tell you, prop rooms are only comfortable if you’re hiding from the director and smoking a joint. Otherwise it’s a visual mess that makes people uncomfortable, even if they aren’t really sure of why.