LR ECLECTIC
Style Secret: Unexpected Accents In what other decorating style could you make a weathered sideboard, an Oriental rug and a wall of vintage ads get along? The fun of eclectic style lies in the element of surprise. This is the time to get personal: Showcase mementos from your trip to India last year; bring out the faded concert posters of your favorite band; stack books inside your Radio Flyer wagon from childhood. Road-test it: You can go overboard with quirkiness in a hurry. If you have a vintage bicycle next to an old dentist's chair next to a surfboard next to a ... well, you get the picture. Use really outlandish pieces as you would exclamation points: judiciously. Tempering them with a few simple, classic furnishings can elevate the look without diluting its eccentric charm.
Start by taking risks you’re unaccustomed to taking. Coupling dissimilar colors, furniture and other pieces that seem "out there" at first just might be the ticket to creating a standout vignette. Here, a pair of Queen Anne–style arm chairs sit across from MIDCENTURY modern numbers upholstered in a vibrant faux-zebra stripe. The cheery Nina Campbell Paradiso wallpapered accent wall is also a nice surprise.
Style Secret: Layered Textures Texture gives an eclectic space its depth. Nearly every surface in this living room brings something different to the party: the nubbly Oriental rug over coarse sisal; the rich wood of the floors and trim; the thick, lush upholstery fabrics and sleek desk. A rich collection of textural elements makes a space appeal to our senses and resonate on a visceral level. Road-test it: This one's easy — play by the rule of opposites. If you have shiny pieces, add matte ones. Offset metal with wood and plastic with porcelain. Marry smooth silk with coarse burlap. Use your hands as much as your eyes to gauge the level of textural interplay you've achieved.
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