A little eccentric, a little vintage — and so much beauty.
If you’ve ever struggled to nail down your personal design style, and if your Pinterest boards contain a bevy of old finds and new trends, you
might be an eclectic spirit. While spaces with this design style have rather unjustly been dubbed as eccentric or cluttered, you can have your
eclectic cake and eat it, too — with purpose and intention.
I work with many clients who seek to incorporate family heirlooms and flea market finds into a more modernized space. They want a “lived in”
feeling that also exudes luxury and polished imperfection. Here’s a sneak peek into how I curate and design their eclectically beautiful living
spaces.
1. Perspective is Key
Interior design is like a recipe, and all ingredients matter, regardless of how small the quantity is. If one ingredient is removed, the whole
recipe can change (or even become a disaster). With design, each item has its place, including negative space. On top of design, we also
must address styling. Styling is the positioning of each element for best function and feel.
2. Set an Intention
Before I launch a full-scale overhaul of my client’s space, I start by asking for the stories
behind their favorite pieces. I ask about the way they want to feel in their home and how
they want guests to experience the space. This myriad of responses culminates in
intentionality and gives us a clear goal for the design plan.
3. Use Best Practices
While design rules exist to be broken, here are some of my most-loved best practices for
designing and styling eclectic spaces:
a. If the client’s space is neutral, I add a pop of color (but don’t overdo it).
b. I find a common element in contrasting items: a vintage, curvy grey chair that can be paired with a modern, straight-lined grey sofa.
c. I add a conversation piece, such as an unusual lamp, table, figurine, or art piece.
DESIGN TREND
Natural and round.
As jewel tones ease into tranquil colors of the sea, furniture trends lean away from straight lines and bend toward softer curves.
DESIGN TIP
Texture matters most.
While you might want to focus on finding the perfect color palette for your space, bear in mind that texture variety matters just as much.
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