God save me from the “eclectic” client.
Ok, I’m kidding… sort of.
Being “eclectic” means to have an enjoyment of a variety of styles, colors, and types of objects… which is great! It does NOT mean that you can cram any and everything that crosses your path into a room and declare it “eclectic.” That, my friend, is what we call a hodge-podge… or possibly just a mess.
An eclectic room, done well, will be a reflection of your varied tastes and travels, but still have a harmonious overall feel. The eye should be able to travel around the space comfortably, enjoying the uniqueness of the displays without having them overwhelm the focal point(s).
So how do you achieve “good eclectic?” Start by determining how you want a room to feel: aged, collected over time, elegant, clean, fresh, exciting, bold, warm, relaxing, etc. Next you want to group together all the elements that will contribute to your desired overall feel, and omit the ones that will not. For example, if you are trying for an earthy, well-traveled look, you would NOT incorporate your Andy Warhol reproduction (or your Andy Warhol original, for that matter). Things you COULD include might be your antique clock collection, that bench you found up north, the oriental rug you fell in love with in India, and those pieces of folk art from your dad.
Can it be tricky? Yes, it can, especially because we all have a hard time looking at our beloved possessions objectively. A professional decorator can help you blend (and edit!) your tastes and belongings into a space that feels rich, storied, and authentically you by ensuring items are displayed in their best light, rather than competing with each other. At OnlineHomeDecorating.com, our team of professional interior decorators has created each room design with all of the elements you need for a beautiful, fully finished room, while still leaving enough breathing room to allow you to incorporate the items that tell your personal story… without losing track of the plot!
