Blending Old School & New School Seamlessly

The word eclectic by definition means: selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eclectic). Mixing various styles to create eclectic interiors can be tricky to the "untrained" eye. Most artists, interior designers, architecs etc. are born with an innate sense of scale and proportion. It's really a rush to find fabulous vintage furniture in pristine condition and well-worn pieces can be just as interesting in your home or office if thoughtfully chosen. Local retailers like Weisshouse and Anthropologie know how to mix the old with the new in a funky and original way. Personally, I love a nice balance of new, upholstered items like a great slip-covered sofa paired with a vintage chrome and glass cocktail table. You just can't go wrong if the proportion of the items are working well together with the scale of the space. Natural fabrics like linen and cotton are well balanced when paired with a polished marble side table or a rosewood console table or buffet (mid-century modern, of course). In order to achieve the most successful ecclectic mix, you have to keep the following in mind:

1. Proportion: How much "visual weight" does the piece consume? Does your eye come to a dead stop at a certain piece or does that piece add to the harmony of the room?

2. Color & Finish: Does the piece compliment the other items in the room or does it fight against them? Obviously, various wood tones and grains can all work beautifully together unless one is too strong or too dated looking when compared to the other items.

3. Degree of Distress: "Well-worn" items are always a welcome addition and offer lots of character to your home. However, if the piece is really in bad shape and unstable, it can actually take away from
the overall look of the room and just look shabby and not chic at all. Choose vintage items wisely or weissly and have all of your friends asking "Where did you find that?!".

Check out the photos below for a few of my vintage favorites available at Weisshouse.