I’d like to introduce to all of you again, my dear friend Jasmine Ford. We were roommates at Harvard and often mistaken as sisters on campus. Our bond has grown deeper over the years as we share a love of design and decorating. I’m happy to have her back as a contributor!
Hello everyone, and thank you, Camille, for having me back! Since the last time you may have heard from me, so much has happened! I went to grad school to study textiles (focusing on historic interiors), got engaged, and moved across the country. I am so happy to write to you all again, and about a subject that is a relatively new personal interest of mine (especially since I’ve been living “out West”): eclectic styling!
As an academic at heart, I am too interested in architectural/design history to choose just one period or style that is my absolute favorite. Luckily, folks like me don’t have to choose! With the rise in popularity of globally-inspired decor and organic material, the terms “eclectic” and “Bohemian” tend to be used interchangeably nowadays. I’m here to say that all a design needs to be “eclectic” is to feature pieces from multiple styles, regardless of where on the spectrum your personal taste lands! From personal experience, I find that making the pieces that you truly love work together (whether it’s your mid-century dining table + French antique chairs or your macrame wall hanging + a velvet sofa) goes much further toward creating a layered, rich design than steadfastly hanging onto one era or style and trying to recreate it faithfully.
For some gorgeous examples of eclectic eye-candy, look no further than the following:
Emily Henderson’s Living Room (Rustic + Scandinavian + British + Surreal): Emily’s blog is full of wonderful tips to achieve designer trends in your own home, and her refined cozy style is so beautiful. Here, in one version of her living room, she complements the rustic architectural features of her space (ceiling beams, brick fireplace) with the clean Danish modern-style armchairs and sofa. Adding more dimension to this look are the subtle nods to British campaign style: the trunk between the armchairs, as well as the tripod lamp (fun fact: although the look is used in mid-century-inspired interiors, the tripod lamp has its origins with British surveyors’ tripods of the maritime age). I especially love the touches of whimsy with the “Impossible Trident” optical illusion over the fireplace and the Hand Chair in the back right corner!
Sheila Bridges Hay House (Postmodern + French neoclassical): New York-based designer Sheila Bridges’ Hay House makes a punchy statement by contrasting Postmodern art pieces (such as the hanging mobile and the tesselations on the fabric shades) with furniture pieces featuring classic French silhouettes. The central art piece combines the two dominant styles by showing modern subjects in the style of an 18th-century French painting. Mixing classic with modern is a great way to achieve elevated eclectic style, and Sheila Bridges has mastered this with her own original “Harlem Toile” pattern, which features Black subjects integrated into classical French motifs.
Justina Blakeney (Mid-Century + Transitional + Global): Those of you who love the global look are likely already familiar with Justina Blakeney, boho design extraordinaire behind The Jungalow! Anybody who wants to learn how to combine multiple styles into an exuberant, warm, and joyful design should take notes on how she mixes styles, patterns, and color. In this space, a classic mid-century tulip table takes center stage. The tufting on the sofa and bench, along with the turned legs of the bench, adds classic detail that softens the design. Even without the global textiles, this could be considered eclectic, but the African and South Asian-inspired textiles and wall decor bring a traveled and worldly aesthetic to the entire design scheme. Because much of the stock furniture we see in our well-known big box retailers is transitional, I also find looks featuring transitional style relatively achievable and accessible!
Whether you’re looking for luxury or living on a budget, there are so many different ways to achieve a beautifully curated eclectic space! If you’re looking for more eclectic design inspiration, here are some of my personal favorites whom I always am inspired by:
Veronica Solomon : Casa Vilora Interiors. As a maximalist, I always enjoy seeing Veronica’s designs, which embody a glamorous global aesthetic.
Brittany Hayes: Addison’s Wonderland. Brittany always does a beautiful job of blending multiple styles for an elevated take on whimsy. As a mom of young ones, she demonstrates that gorgeous design can still fit a busy family lifestyle!
Martyn Lawrence Bullard: I first became acquainted with Martyn Lawrence Bullard’s work on the show Million Dollar Decorators. He is an absolute superstar, well-known for his glamorous and eclectic designs for a vast array of celebrity clientele which includes the likes of Tommy Hilfiger, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, and Kylie Jenner (see a shot of her dining room, which was featured in Feb. 2019’s Architectural Digest).
Now that you’ve seen the possibilities, I would encourage you to think about your personal style preferences and current approach to decorating. What styles do you find yourself gravitating toward? Are there opportunities for you to incorporate that old clock you love but just thought “would never work” with your existing space, or family heirlooms that you didn’t think were “matchy” enough to set out? Next time, we’ll talk about some general principles to help achieve a polished-yet-eclectic style into your own space! Until then, take care!
