The Art of Eclecticism

There’s been many moments in my life where I’ve considered dropping what I was doing and enrolling in design school. But one fear that would discourage me in those ambitious moments is what I used to tell myself — I have no style. Ok, not NO style… but, not ONE distinct style. The designers I looked to then all had such clear, singular styles. Bohemian, traditional, modern, and then in more recent years (thanks to HGTV) farmhouse, farmhouse, and farmhouse (are we done yet!?).

I thought my inability to pick a lane, to consistently love one style, was a negative thing that would hurt me in attracting clients, or that I would never be able to make any final decisions. I’m not sure why I felt I had to box myself into one style then, but it’s been something that’s tricked my mind for years. “WHAT IS MY STYLE!? If I ever want to work in the design world I have to at least be able to explain my style.”

Well, after ten years of wondering, here’s where I’m at: English cottage meets Parisian apartment meets indie art gallery meets bohemian traveler meets GRANDMA. Got it? Ya, me neither. But let’s just call it “cozy eclectic” for the sake of brevity.

I genuinely find all of these aesthetics, and so many others, appealing. But what I thought was my achilles heel may just be my strength (that seems to always be the case in life, no?). I, and my fellow eclectic lovers, can see the beauty in so many different styles. That is such a wonderful thing! Take a hike, design genres and labels.

Eclecticism is an art. Eclectic spaces bring together the best of the best across so many different styles and eras, and to do it well is not easy. Eclectism takes time, practice, and the willingness to fail and try again.

Here’s a few spaces I love, that color outside the lines, speaking to all the eclectic souls like myself.