Eclectic Style: Mastering the Look

You might think all interior designers have their favorite décor style that permeates their projects, especially when it comes to decorating their own home. But that was not the case for interior designer Lauren Wilson when she and her family moved into their new home. As a lover of many styles and mixing old and new, she knew she wanted to create open spaces with a flair for eclectic style.

Living room with tons of seating options and a television mounted above the fireplace with a view out to the covered patio. — **SIT AND STAY AWHILE.** The living room calls to guests with plenty of conversational seating and an easy transition out to enjoy the covered patio for a change of venue.

“I’m inspired by all styles, colors, textures and pieces to make my own style,” Lauren of Lily Jace Designs says. So she kept an open mind as she set out to decorate her house in Farmington Hills, Michigan, a suburb of downtown Detroit.

An entry way with a welcoming open door and a vintage Persian runner with an antique chandelier hanging from the ceiling. — **WARM WELCOME.** This is one of Lauren’s favorite photos from her house. The chandelier was originally in the home’s dining room, and Lauren wanted to save something from the space when they were knocking down the walls, so she moved it to the entryway. Lauren found the colorful area rug at an estate sale.

Striped rug with a cream colored cozy couch in front of a huge bright window. — **WINDOW SEAT.** The cozy couch is the perfect placer to enjoy the sunshine and a warm mug of coffee in the morning.

MAKING SPACE

The 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath traditional Colonial, built in 1967, appeared to be frozen in time, visually weighed down by old, heavy draperies, and outdated wallpaper and walls—lots of walls. Lauren knew she wanted to have a large open space where her family could gather, so knocking down the walls commenced.

Two hanging rattan chairs and an office wall of custom builtins. — **CLEAN CANVAS.** This is the home office where Lauren and her business partner, Salma, create their designs. The hanging chairs are a fun feature from Pier 1. The kids love to swing on them. The scalloped design at the top of the large cabinet gives it charm and character.

I don’t want my house to look like a catalog. I want it to look lived-in and feel like it ’s my own.

Flea market find and vintage odds and ends give a funky fun look to this dining area off the kitchen. Wooden trestle table and modern bucket chairs with a crystal chandelier. — **DINING DESIGN.** The open-concept dining room is perfect for gathering and eating with the family.

“The layout was very chopped up” Lauren says, “but I was able to visualize the outcome so we created one big, open-concept gathering place.” As a result, the family of five can now enjoy each other’s company in the main part of the house without being separated by walls.

View from the interior of the home at the entryway. The foyer includes a Persian runner, sliding barn door, and an octagonal shaped mirror hanging over a vintage distressed dresser. — **ECLECTIC ENTRY.** Lauren found the barn door and had it fitted to fill the space in the entryway. She painted over the original multicolored floor with white for a bright and welcoming look filled with eclectic design elements.

Enclosed patio with full dining space. Black and white whicker bistro chairs mixed with Mexican leather chairs and a wall of windows looking out into the yard. — **SURROUNDED BY NATURE.** The outdoor sun porch is Lauren’s favorite room. Black-and-white wicker bistro chairs and Mexican chairs found at a flea market create a comfortable, interesting place to sit and relax.

The sun porch is my oasis. I feel like I’m on vacation in my own home when I’m there.

The sun porch overlooks stunning views of nature with a thatched whicker sectional and aztec inspired poofs for additional seating. — **NATURAL NEUTRALS.** Lauren found the interesting ottomans online. The wicker sectional is a Pottery Barn piece, and the wooden table in front of the sectional is from Home Goods.

BLACK, WHITE & WOOD

Once the remodeling was done, Lauren was able to focus on flexing her eclectic style decorating muscles. The open feel of the layout is also reflected in her open approach to feathering her nest. “I don’t want my house to look like a catalog,” she says. “I want it to look lived-in and to feel like it’s my own.” She uses the term “eclectic” to describe the varied decorative elements that fill the rooms. However, Lauren does have a tried-and-true formula to create a cohesive eclectic design.

Looking into the kitchen over the gorgeous island. Large header and pendant lights with leather-backed tall bar chairs. — **FLOOR DÉCOR.** Lauren had the kitchen’s hardwood floor refinished with a dark ebony stain because she loves the look of a dark floor in a large space.

“I love to use black, white and wood against a neutral background,” she says. So she starts out with a canvas of light-colored walls, then layers in black, white and wood furnishings with pops of color from fabrics and foliage. “I love to bring the outside in with greenery, florals and nature,” she says.

Dark railed stairs frame out a sitting nook with a clear and gold modern endurable and a vintage leather wingback chair. — **CREATING COMFORT**. A macramé wall hanging Lauren purchased from an online Etsy shop fits the staircase wall perfectly. She found the Ralph Lauren throw blanket at an estate sale. The texture of the blanket softens the leather chair’s lines for a cozy look.

Lauren’s favorite room in the house is the sun porch. “I go there when it’s sunny or when it rains. It’s so relaxing,” she says. “I look out into the woods and see a lot of nature, deer and wildlife. The sun porch is my oasis. I feel like I’m on vacation in my own home when I’m there. It’s my happy place.”

Looking into the living room from the entryway, beckoning you in with Persian rugs and bright window light. — **SWEET SEAT.** This view of the entryway features what was originally an indoor planter box that Lauren had made into a seat so guests could sit down to take their shoes off.

I’m inspired by all styles, colors, textures and pieces to make my own style .

Master bedroom with a substantial dark wooden bed frame and white linens . — **MASTER BEDROOM.** The master bedroom, incorporates the eclectic design elements that flow throughout the home with a light, bright base and pops of dark wood.

GET THE LOOK

Designer Lauren Wilson shares her tips for creating eclectic style timeless décor you won’t get tired of.

Master bathroom with vintage rug, modern round mirror and a stylish fiddle leaf fig tree. — **REMASTERED BATH.** This room originally had a narrow door, and Lauren thought it was a closet. When she opened the door, surprise, it was a small master bath! Lauren redesigned the area with an open-concept walkway that opens to the master bedroom as an en suite bath. She brought in pops of color with a vintage rug and florals. The humidity is good for the plants as well.

Start with a neutral background; then add black, white and wood (nature) and a few pops of color to brighten up your space. That way you can change out accessories and it will always seem like the space flows together.
Pick your favorite colors and thread them through your home. Lauren used blues and light pinks in area rugs and blankets.
Dark floors will contrast with the neutral colors in a room for a crisp, fresh, open and airy look. It won’t look busy or overwhelming.

Want more ideas for mixing old and new to create eclectic style? Check out this post on a 5 Elements of A Flea Market Patio.

Of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to get your daily dose of cottage inspiration!