A pretty but predictable décor is safe and unoriginal. Matching sets of what-have-you can leave your home lacking verve. To rise above the department store display room look you have to bring in some original, unique pieces that will speak to your sense of style.
An eclectic décor can never be wrong because it's basically a decorating stew of mismatched items.
You just have to play around with it until it suits your fancy.
The great thing about an eclectic décor is you can use items you all ready have, and may even treasure, that might not fit your run-of-the-mill design scheme. Using what you have allows you to keep family treasures and can save you lots of money.
A good example of an eclectic décor can be found in our feature photo. This fabulous dining room is teeming with warmth and charm. The stone and wood elements are earthy and grounding while the mishmash of accessories provides visual movement and interest.
Take the metal dining chairs, for instance. They relate wonderfully to the modernistic chandelier. One might pair these two modern items with a clear acrylic dining table to create a futuristic style.
In our feature space, however, a reclaimed-wood dining table in a rustic finish and two wooden box stools balance the stark, modern elements adding warmth and texture. By the same token, if you happened upon the rustic dining table, you'd probably lean toward wooden or leather chairs to match it.
Just look at how thinking outside of the box by pairing the table with modern elements can dramatically increase the room's appeal. The chandelier is a wonderful conversation piece, even though it appears to be the result of a high-school shops class project. It's wonderfully simple and surprisingly elegant. Modern and vintage all wrapped up in one fantastic piece.
Built-in bookshelves are a great place for books but in this case are a wonderful display area for a multitude of mismatched accessories. Each set of items, when grouped together, makes for a pleasing display. Dotted throughout the shelves are touches of the wood tones, which provide texture and visual warmth to complement the wood tones in the rest of the room.
The accent grey colour painted on the back of each shelf makes the accessories stand out. This Behr paint colour is carried onto the window wall as well. The warm, neutral paint colour is muted to maintain a calm vibe. In general, rich, neutral colours help keep an eclectic décor from becoming a visually hectic décor.
The unframed canvas over the fireplace, while traditional in composition, is modernized by displaying it without a traditional frame. The wooden slat blinds are perfect for this space. They support the wood tones and provide interesting filtered lighting. Even the firewood, although necessary, makes a great accessory. My favourite touch is the muslin table runner that drapes to the floor at each end of the rustic dining table.
Get messy
So maybe you've got a nice living room with matching sofa and loveseat, a set of matching coffee and end tables in a contemporary style. Good for you. Now, what happens when mom goes into a nursing home and you're left with her treasures?
Mess up that matching living room by throwing in some of your newly acquired treasures.
Shadowbox frame vintage cookie cutters and put them on display. Use the old pedal sewing machine to hold your accessories or plants. Make some toss cushions out of needlepoint artwork. Incorporate that accent chair she handed down to you because it brings back good memories. Revamp old photographs with photo-enhancing software; then modernize the photos by resizing them or printing them in black and white or sepia tones and framing them into black frames.
Get her favourite painting, which you now own, reframed with an updated frame that will co-ordinate with your new, eclectic décor. Display unique items such as pillbox hats and vintage hankies. Use old broaches to create curtain tiebacks. There are many ways you can use what you have or have been given to create a truly wonderful décor. You can keep your treasures and save a ton of money. Remember this when you happen upon an item you can't part with, which you don't think will fit into your space. It probably can.
connieoliver@shaw.ca
