product-pair

# /product-pair — Product Pairing "What goes with this?" Takes a product and suggests complementary items across different categories — a side table for a sofa, a floor lamp for a reading chair, a rug for a dining table. Returns 5-8 pairings with reasoning rooted in design principles. ## When to Use - Building out a room or vignette from a hero piece - Designer has a key product and needs to complete the palette - Presenting a coordinated product package to a client - Filling gaps in an FF&E schedule by category ## Step 1: Accept Input **By name:** ``` /product-pair Blu Dot Diplomat Sofa ``` **By name + context:** ``` /product-pair Blu Dot Diplomat Sofa for a tech office lounge ``` **By product details:** ``` /product-pair Name: Diplomat Sofa Brand: Blu Dot Materials: Steel frame, fabric upholstery Color: Edwards Navy Style: Contemporary, minimal Price: $2,499 Context: Corporate lounge, 6-person seating area ``` ## Step 2: Analyze the Source Product Identify the product's design DNA: - **Style language**: Mid-century, Scandinavian, industrial, contemporary, etc. - **Material palette**: Wood type, metal finish, upholstery type - **Color family**: Warm neutrals, cool tones, bold accent, monochrome - **Scale**: Compact/apartment, standard, generous/commercial - **Price tier**: Budget (<$500), mid-range ($500-$2,000), premium ($2,000-$5,000), luxury ($5,000+) - **Market**: Residential, contract, hospitality ## Step 3: Determine Pairing Categories Based on the source product's category, identify what typically pairs with it: | Source Category | Pair With | |----------------|-----------| | Sofa | Coffee table, side table, floor lamp, throw pillow, rug, ottoman | | Lounge Chair | Side table, floor lamp, ottoman, throw | | Dining Table | Dining chairs, pendant light, sideboard, rug | | Desk | Task chair, desk lamp, monitor arm, desk organizer | | Bed | Nightstands, table lamps, bench, rug, dresser | | Conference Table | Conference chairs, credenza, pendant/linear light | | Task Chair | Desk, monitor arm, task light | If the designer provided context (e.g., "tech office lounge"), factor that into category selection. ## Step 4: Search for Pairings For each pairing category, search for products that match the source's: - **Style**: Same design language or intentional contrast - **Material harmony**: Complementary materials (e.g., walnut sofa → brass lamp, not chrome) - **Color coordination**: Same palette, complementary, or intentional accent - **Scale proportion**: Appropriately sized relative to the source - **Price alignment**: Similar tier (don't pair a $5,000 sofa with a $30 lamp) Run 2-3 searches per pairing category. Target 5-8 total pairings across different categories. ## Step 5: Present Pairings ``` ## Pairings for: Diplomat Sofa — Blu Dot Source: Contemporary minimal, steel/navy fabric, $2,499 ### Coffee Table **Minimalista Coffee Table — Blu Dot** · $799 48"W × 24"D × 16"H · Steel, glass Same brand, same design language. Steel frame echoes the sofa's base. ### Side Table **Swole Small Side Table — Blu Dot** · $349 15" dia × 18"H · Steel, solid walnut top Adds warmth with walnut. Low profile sits well next to the sofa arm height. ### Floor Lamp **IC F1 — Flos** · $695 14" dia × 53"H · Brass, opal glass Sculptural counterpoint to the sofa's linearity. Brass warms the cool navy. ### Throw Pillow **Dot Dash Pillow — Loom Decor** · $89 20" × 20" · Linen blend Texture contrast against the sofa fabric. Available in coordinating colorways. ### Rug **Sathi Rug — Armadillo** · $1,450 8' × 10' · Wool, undyed Neutral base grounds the navy. Contract-grade durability. --- ## Pairing Summary | Category | Product | Brand | Price | Why | |----------|---------|-------|-------|-----| | Coffee Table | Minimalista | Blu Dot | $799 | Same language, steel continuity | | Side Table | Swole Small | Blu Dot | $349 | Walnut warmth, right height | | Floor Lamp | IC F1 | Flos | $695 | Brass accent, sculptural form | | Pillow | Dot Dash | Loom Decor | $89 | Texture contrast | | Rug | Sathi | Armadillo | $1,450 | Neutral ground, contract-grade | **Total pairing package: $3,382** ``` ### Presentation rules - **Explain the design reasoning** for each pairing — material harmony, color logic, scale, style - **Mix brands** — don't just suggest the same brand for everything (unless the designer asks) - **Include at least one accent** — a piece that creates intentional contrast (different material, color pop, different era) - **Stay in the price tier** — pairings should feel proportionate to the source - **Note contract availability** if the source is contract-grade ## Step 6: Save If the designer picks pairings, write to the master Google Sheet using the 33-column schema defined in `../../schema/product-schema.md` (read for column reference and formats). Use `../../schema/sheet-conventions.md` for CRUD patterns. - Column AD (Tags): append `pair:{source-product-name}` for traceability - Column AE (Notes): "Paired with {source product}. {Design reasoning}" - Column AF (Status): "saved" - Column AG (Source): "product-pair" ## Pairs With - `/product-match` — match finds alternatives to the source, pair finds complements - `/product-research` — research finds products from a brief, pair builds around an anchor piece - `/product-enrich` — enrich paired products with full metadata - `/product-data-import` — import the source + pairings into the master schedule