One of our favorite games to play while styling the shop is, "Can we make this go together?" It's a fun game, really. To play, we pick two pieces (rugs, sofas, chairs, artwork...) that are super loud or crazily patterned and then try to build a scene around them using only things we have in the shop so that they "go together" in the end. It's a great challenge because we only have so many neutral colored rugs or solid sofas to work with, so often times we end up power clashing.

Over the years, I think the task of styling multiple scenes around the shop with revolving pieces of inventory that aren't meant to "go together" has made us view power clashing as the norm. That's why, when I read Grace Bonney's blog on power clashing interiors a few months back, I couldn't help but think, "hey, we do that all the time!" This realization, that we power clash on a daily basis, prompted me to take a look back through our shop scenes and identify a few of our favorite power clashing moments.

When Ashley Daly posted this scene to Instagram, she described it as feeling like it went together like a warm stew. I think she's correct. The colors from the striped rag rug, the 80s patterned chairs, and the vintage oil painting meld warmly toget… — When Ashley Daly posted this scene to Instagram, she described it as feeling like it went together like a warm stew. I think she's correct. The colors from the striped rag rug, the 80s patterned chairs, and the vintage oil painting meld warmly together.

I'd say this is an understated power clash, but a power clash all the same. We have four patterns working their way down the scene (artwork, blanket, pillows, rug) in a beautiful way. Each calls to and complements the other, making them better than … — I'd say this is an understated power clash, but a power clash all the same. We have four patterns working their way down the scene (artwork, blanket, pillows, rug) in a beautiful way. Each calls to and complements the other, making them better than if they stood alone.

*Again, with this oil painting. Now we've got three other patterns to clash with. Pattern on pattern on pattern, but it somehow works, right?*

*This sweet vintage easy chair has the prettiest of patterns. The peach tones speak with both the vintage kilim rug and the hand-sewn Bifftastica pillow. Loving this color scheme.*

This is the power clashing mother load. These two rugs were laying near each other on the showroom floor and it seemed obvious that I should bring them together. These rugs power clash in both style and color. Soft, pastel florals on one hand and bo… — This is the power clashing mother load. These two rugs were laying near each other on the showroom floor and it seemed obvious that I should bring them together. These rugs power clash in both style and color. Soft, pastel florals on one hand and bold, orange graphics on the other. This clash works by balancing the different color palettes on both ends. We have dining chairs with pale pink seats on the orange rug and a bright orange chair on the pastel rug. Also, notice the pillows add more pattern, but bring together the opposing color schemes at the same time.

*The whimsey of the blue and white floral on the wicker pieces contrasts nicely with the more graphic and uniform pattern on the vintage rug.*

*It's like this red Plycraft chair is bringing together its beautifully patterned rug friend and its lovely floral wall hanging buddy. "We can all be friends," he says.*

Hello there retro plaid sofa! In this scene it's all about the accessories. This power clash wouldn't be possible without the red solid pillows and the simple yellow planter, soothing and uniting this intense combination.

What do you think? Can they all be friends? Share your power clashing spaces with us using #rdathome and #lifeonabeautifulbackground or comment below!