Same Same but Different
Regardless of the temptation of countless hours on the sofa lost to shows like Vanderpump Rules, MasterChef, or Million Dollar Listing, I don’t watch reality TV or renovation shows. Despite that, I often find myself daydreaming about good lifestyle TV ideas and have about a dozen up my sleeve. In my head, I’m the host of all of them. It’s a little mental pastime for me, and I’m sure I’ve got some million-dollar ideas – like the one where I go into people’s homes and cook them dinner using whatever I find in their fridge, or the one where my friend Dennis and I compete for the best op-shop finds, judged at the end of the week by a panel of professionals. (Dennis likes to have his finds tailored; I like to find the perfect fit straight off the rack).
Perhaps my best idea is inspired by what we do at Design + Diplomacy as designers and property stylists – it’s a design competition show where contestants are given the same items to style the same property, and they all come up with different looks. The best look wins, of course! (I’m on the judging panel for this one). The show would be called Same Same but Different.
Honestly, that’s the beauty of what we do as stylists. Our team of stylists may be selecting from the same pool of furniture, but each individual puts their own unique spin on the combinations and looks. Even though the furniture isn’t endless, the combinations seemingly are.
At D+D, we regularly infuse our stock with new items, ensuring an evolving look and a range of styles. That said, we don’t view our furniture inventory as disposable – we care about the environment and the impact 'fast fashion' has on the property styling industry. We aim to make smart purchases that are timeless and versatile. We have different stylists with different perspectives, desired outcomes, and other motivating factors that allow us to put a fresh spin on each property and breathe new life into each project. That’s the beauty (and the fun) of what we do – ensuring each property has its own individual stand-alone feel, even when we’re selecting from the same pool.
Sometimes it’s the limitation of the individual options that sparks the best combinations. It’s like living out of a suitcase on holiday – with limited items, we tend to come up with new combinations we might not have thought of at home, surrounded by all our belongings. When seeing things in a different light or environment, we’re gifted with a second sight that opens up a world of possibilities.
