Eclectic Decorating | What is Eclectic Style?

1. Deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources
   • - her musical tastes are eclectic

Yup, that describes me. I am drawn to and can appreciate so many different types of styles it's overwhelming. If I had the money, I would have a huge house with many rooms so I could fill them with all the styles I love. Mixing them up, of course.

In the past, I have had mid century modern mixed with Paris Apartment with a touch of 1930's Americana for good measure. I have had a combination of coastal living, mixed with mid century modern and cottage touches for good measure. I'm not sure I could go with just one feel in a room. The mixing things up is what makes it interesting to me.

The Mixing of Styles -- Eclectic Design

I have 3 siblings. A brother and two sisters. Each has their own tastes. Andy is modern -- all the way. He likes clean lines and surfaces, glass surfaces and black & white with pops of red or other bold color. Deb likes vintage and primitive design. Things like roosters, old steamer trunks and heavy, wood furniture made from logs. Heather is our retro girl. She loves avocado green and orange, Eames chairs and wrought iron.

These are 3 distinctively different styles but all of them are beautiful. When I had them over for a get together after I had decorated my living room, I was stunned to find they all loved it -- for different reasons.

Andy loved the minimalist 3 section ladder shelf that stood on one wall. Very modern, open and clean lines that allowed the wall color to be the backdrop. He also loved the Spiegel catalog modern, low to the ground chair and foot stool in the reading corner. Debbie loved the vintage 1930's console radio that welcomed visitors in the foyer area of the living room along with the vintage style black and white framed photos of Paris landmarks that hung in the reading corner. Heather liked the mid century modern style tables with chrome accents and milk glass inserts as well as the brown and black tweed sofas facing each other in the main living area.

I was actually stunned at first. I could believe they all liked it but then I realized I had combined elements that each of them loved and came out with an overall look that they all appreciated. Eclectic at it's best!

Ahead of My Time

According to Elle Decor Magazine, "...home decorating is shifting toward a more theatrical and eclectic decorating style highlighting richer colors, layers of textures and patterns and a fusion of time periods, styles and atmosphere." 

Ha! I am ahead of my time -- I've been doing this for years -- not that it really matters. Decorating and design are personal and different for everyone. I look for furniture and decor that is interesting, speaks to me, or attracts me for some reason. It's pigeon holed or official style doesn't matter to me. If I like it, I like it. That's my weird way of decorating. I make it work together with other pieces that I like.

Here are some looks I LOVE! I would love to mix them up! (click on photos to visit original sites)

via Gregory at Apartment Therapy

Mid Century Modern at its' BEST!

via Donald B. Lane Interiors

 I love British Colonial. Kind of Hemingway-esque.

via My Home Ideas

 Coastal Modern Country -- That's a mouthful!

via Elle Decor

 Modern or Contemporary

Are you eclectic in your decorating tastes?