The eclectic style in decoration… or, in few words, mission impossible!

What is this, how it works, but mainly how you can achieve it successfully, can be a long story. But since I like to bore people, I will try to talk you through.

Once upon a time, someone thought, why should I follow a specific style and the corresponding rules for decoration? Why not just put whatever I like from different styles all together and see what comes out? And that’s probably how eclectic decoration was born.

Photo featured at Kelly Wearstler’s Instagram account

It is a style that brings influences from various trends and periods, loves bold colors and patterns, and usually dares unconventional combinations. And that’s exactly why it’s considered a provocative style, with absolutely nothing that reminds you of minimalism. And this is where, the rules come to an end, because in reality, it is very open to the mood and taste of those who create it.

It sounds very convenient, right? You do whatever you want without following any rules. However, this is exactly where the difficulty of the whole exercise lies. Because without rules and with an unlimited mix and match of colors, styles, etc., it is very easy to get carried away, and the result might not be aesthetically pleasing at all.

So, what should we pay attention to, to avoid creating a clownish, chaotic mess?

Photo featured at Jonathan Adler’s Instagram account

Add a few rules to the irregular style 

• Let’s start by analyzing what we mentioned above about how this style is created and let’s try together to see how we can tailor it to our needs. You don’t need to put everything in your house. Keep only the elements that you really like.
• The style is a blend of different others, but don’t open an encyclopedia to learn all the styles and copy them. What you can do is have in mind a few basic elements and furniture that you really like and create your foundation. If your basic elements are not too many and varied, even if they are colour or style mismatched, it’s fine—leave them as they are. But if there are too many, improve the result with the following tips.
• It would be good if you distribute your favourite basic elements so that each room has one or at most two. Then you add complementary furniture and accessories to each room, but with attention to the following regarding colours and patterns.
• We said a combination of bold colours and patterns is acceptable, but even this needs some control. Regarding colours, focus on two or three bold colours that you really like, and keep the rest neutral; otherwise, things can get out of hand. When it comes to patterns, combining different ones is acceptable too. But if we are talking about many different patterns, one good trick is to ensure that they share common shades to avoid an overwhelming outcome.
• Pay attention to proportions and balance. Although eclectic design allows freedom in choice, balance is important, as we mentioned earlier. You need to find the right proportion to avoid overloading the space. Think about the layout of the objects and the relationship between size and shape to create a harmonious atmosphere.
• Also key in this style is mixing textures—use them to create contrasts. Throw woolen throws or woven rugs on stone, marble, leather, wood, or metallic surfaces, and you will achieve that contrast by combining various materials.
• Accessorise it big time! Here, I want you to go all out! With accessories, you will follow all the previous rules, bringing in old and new items from different eras and styles, and it is certainly easier to find decorative pieces than furniture that fit these criteria. Choose various lamps, vases, candle holders, cushions, and, most importantly, invest in art. This style loves frames!

Photo featured at Maison et objet

Where to find all this?

Here’s where the difficulties begin… Because, unlike other styles that were a bit more straightforward and I could guide you, here it’s not so easy to suggest specific shops, as you can choose different things from any stores, as long as you mix different styles, and you’re good to go. So, I’ll start with some general advice, and then I’ll try to suggest some shops that I think might have more unique pieces.

First of all, you may buy beautiful furniture and accessories from flea markets and antiques shops to find the vintage furniture and bring in pieces from different eras into this style, as we discussed.

Buy things you like while you’re travelling. You may think, “But you said the same for boho decoration!” True, but in that case, we focused on ethnic elements and not just anything that crosses our mind, as with this particular style. So, feel free to improvise!

Photo featured at Eclectic_territory

And to get to the part that you’re all waiting for as I have spoiled you… here are some shops I would recommend. As I explained earlier, there are endless options and all kinds of stores, but I’ll highlight some that I think you will find there furniture for this style.

• Kare: Alimos 23, Alimos. I believe Kare’s modern retro collection will cover you, bringing vintage vibes with a lot of color and quirky designs for a unique style like this. The 70’s yellow Salamanca sofa at €2,715, the colorful Concertina buffet at €2,307, and the pink Lips planter at €190 are some of the items that create the style in the photos. Meanwhile, the retro Cocktail Aunt Betty armchair at €1,385 is a fantastic piece to adorn a corner of your house.

Salamanca sofa, Concertina console and Lips planter, KARE

• Room: Alimos Avenue 91, Alimos. A very special store that I’ve mentioned before for lighting, bringing unique designers in both furniture and lighting. The Ateneo 05 gen buffet by Capodopera will definitely become the focal point of your living room with its embossed designs. The Circle by MOS is part shelf, part art piece, and it’s both so unique and elegant. If you want to add more color to your wall, the Hexa bookcase offers various combinations. For more eccentric types, don’t miss the crazy stools that double as lights, planters, champagne buckets, in the shape of skulls and in eye-catching colours—check out the Mexico by Studio Job.

Mexico by Studio Job, Room

• Mexil: Kifisia Avenue 44, Marousi. A store that supplies hotels, restaurants, and other professional spaces but also serves private clients. A bit of art deco, a bit of vintage, the SF6612 sofa doesn’t have to be destined only for restaurants; I could definitely see it in a corner of a kitchen or living room to transform it to a unique dining area. The CH303 armchair in bright yellow is also a very special furniture.

SF6612 sofa, Mexil

• Kartell: Kifisia Avenue 180, Chalandri. I love their polycarbonate chairs because they were the first of their kind with unrivaled design, but for this article, I’ll focus on some more pop art designs. The Pop Missoni Kartell sofa, flexible and adaptable depending on the pieces, starts at €2,084. The Cara armchair by Philippe Starck for outdoor spaces, with fabric choices from the legendary British Liberty, is a romantic and slightly retro option, while the Bourgie Metallic Kartell table lamp is a classic eclectic choice, blending baroque design with metallic colours, starting at €636.

Pop Missoni Kartell sofa, Kartell

• Goulandris: Kifisia Avenue 206, Chalandri. If you want to combine some more classic furniture, or dress up sofas, chairs, and make cushions from a wide range of fabrics, this store is definitely worth a visit.

Goulandri furniture and fabrics store

• Start artworks: Mitropoleos 98, Thessaloniki. A fantastic place in Thessaloniki that doesn’t matter where you live because they have an updated e-shop from which you can order anything you want. The vision of owner, Christina Manolaki, was to bring contemporary art into everyday life, thus her store features amazing funky pieces by both foreign and Greek artists. Here, you will definitely find something that will add colour and character to any room. From amazing pop art amphorae and pots in various colours, shapes, and sizes to the Portals wall series by Laurie Skantzos, and from paintings to posters, you will find it hard to choose what to buy.

Start artworks shop

These stores offer a great selection for anyone wanting to create an eclectic space, combining old and new trends with personal aesthetics. On top of what you buy, add some personal items that have sentimental value to you. Personal items or antiques enhance the uniqueness of the space and make it more intimate.

So what have we learnt today?

In short, eclectic design is a combination of creativity, personal style, and a sense of freedom. There are no strict rules here—it’s a style that allows you to express yourself and create a space that suits you perfectly. It’s a style that you build gradually, so don’t rush to buy everything at once. What will make it successful but, most importantly, satisfy you as you live in it, is to build it up slowly by adding furniture and accessories you find over time, or bring them back with you from a trip. Even if everything doesn’t perfectly match, at least your home will consist of pieces you love. That alone surpasses any design style.

Until next time!!!
Design geek in Athens

P.S. Dedicated to Katerina, who wants her home to be colourful!