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The question

Does the wood of my floors, trim and furniture have to match?

The answer

Would you match your shoes to your hair and your outfit? Absolutely not! A perfectly matched interior would be a boring one and give you little room to breathe.

First, select floors as you would your shoes: in a colour and sheen that you enjoy. Next, decide on the effect you want from your trim: Are you looking to contrast or blend in with the wall colour? Once that's decided, pick a trim colour independently from your flooring (you wouldn't care if your hair colour complemented your shoes). Selecting furniture is similar to buying clothes: You can't go wrong if you pick pieces that you love in colours, finishes and fabrics that speak to you. These things will all get along in your home because you adore them. If, for some reason, you want to match the wood of your floor, trim and furniture, then go wild on finishes to make a bold design statement.

Dee Dee Taylor Eustace is an architect and interior designer. Follow her on Twitter: @ddtaylordd. Have a design dilemma? E-mail style@globeandmail.com.

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