/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:

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