Blending Styles ... Creating Eclectic; Avoiding the "Pottery Barn Syndrome"

I love eclectic designing for lots of reasons.  We used to have eclectic homes by accident and thought we had to apologize for them.  Now we create them on purpose and with distinction and flair and pride.

The main reason I try to steer clients to an eclectic style is to avoid what I call the Pottery Barn Syndrome.  Pottery Barn is ingenious.  I am not trashing them, per se.  Growing up on Mercer Island, I get the flair for traditional and the bias towards preppy.  There is a market and I'm in it. They also do a fantastic job introducing elements that have character and charm but timelessness so they are worth the investment.  They fit well into the home of a young person just getting started as well as those of us who feel all grown up.  Their items can grow with you and your house and blend into a multitude of styles.  However, they have also a very subtle way of making you feel that that timeless piece you purchased just over a year ago is now suddenly outdated because your wall color was "so Spring of 2008".  They move things around and introduce new colors into our design worlds so subtly that we don't even realize we are falling for the trap that our daughters room is "so Baby & Child 2009."  How can we combat this peer pressure?  Go eclectic.  

Grab a little from here; a little from there.  Resist the urge to purchase an entire ensemble and duplicate a room in the Pottery Barn catalogue.  Use it to be inspired if that's your style.  Purchase some items.  Then stop.  And think.  And create your own unique space.  Mix it up.  I call it Pottery Barn with a Twist.  Just don't forget the twist.  :) Purchase something from a local boutique.  (If you live in Washington, two of my favorites are Haley's Cottage in Downtown Kirkland and Silver Sage Design Studio in Moses Lake.)  Bring out something that means something to you, or your mom, or your grandma for goodness sakes.  Create something eclectic.  A room that can't be copied and that hasn't been copied.  A room, a house, that reflects the things you have always loved and been drawn to.  Eclectic.  

It will make for choices free of regret and minimal buyers remorse when the new House Beautiful or Pottery Barn catalog comes out.  Because it will be something uniquely yours.  Here are some great examples:

Some rustic almost craftsman elements such as the candle chandelier (although softened almost to a romantic degree with the greenery and floral) and the metal top table blended with some traditional elements found in the draperies and upholstered ottoman... infused with a Belgian flair in the sofa... 

Can't pin it to a style; therefore, it can't go out of style.  Ingenious.  Eclectic.  Creative. 

Zen, almost Frank Lloyd Wright, blended with craftsman - aka northwest contemporary - one of my all time favorites.  I love the straight lines without it being cold as modern can sometimes be.  The character of wood and the attention to architectural details that speak more in quality than quantity.  My love language.

Traditional blended with casual - my favorite, when in doubt.

Modern blended with vintage, whimsical and even traditional elements in the fabric selected for the ottoman and a little cottage flair with the quilts.  This is a perfect example of a room that just simply defies style and time period. 

It can't go out of style.

Coastal blended with traditional elements.  Another one of my favorites although I'd never be bold enough to use this color scheme unless it was in my daughters room.

Modern elements blended with rustic and vintage. Love love love.

~ Kristi, Tumble Creek Interior Design