Makely

Let's Make Life Awesome

  • Home
  • Decorating/DIY
    • Create Your Decor
    • Decorate Your Home
    • Paint Your Walls
    • Transform Your Furniture
  • Healthy Living
    • Essential Oils
    • Family Wellness
    • Household Care
  • Project Gallery
  • Contact
You are visiting: Home » Eclectic Home » {31 Days to an Eclectic Home} Day 3 – Define Your Style

{31 Days to an Eclectic Home} Day 3 – Define Your Style

by Lindsay Ballard on October 3, 2011 30 Comments

Today is Day 3 of a 31 day series on creating and cultivating an eclectic home.  For some crazy reason, I have accepted The Nester’s challenge to write on the same theme every day for the month of October.  This may end up killing me.  Or you.  But, I appreciate you reading and welcome your comments.

Today we’re going to talk a little bit about defining your eclectic style.  There’s a secret to tying together different styles and not ending up with a room that looks like a hodge podge of whatever you found at a thrift store.  That secret?  You can’t do it all.

Before you take another step towards creating a more eclectic home, you need to define what eclectic style you have (or want to have).  For instance, I consider my style Modern Vintage Industrial.  Yes, that’s a style that I totally made up.  You can make up your own, too.

Why is this important? Well, if I tried to do Modern Vintage Industrial Kitschy Asian Coastal Urban Loft Cottage, it would be too much.  WAY too much.  Although eclecticism is all about using what you love, I think it’s best styled when you limit your mix of styles to 3 (and 4 at the very most).  You will likely gravitate to a few styles that you really love, so narrowing it down shouldn’t be very difficult.

Here are some beautiful examples that I pulled from Pinterest and labeled by style:

Let us know – what’s your eclectic style mix? Can you narrow it down to just three?

About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.

« {31 Days to an Eclectic Home} Day 2 – The Break Up
{31 Days to an Eclectic Home} Day 4 – Home Base »

Comments

  1. Allison says

    October 3, 2011 at 7:40 am

    Hmmm, If I had to pick 3, I would HOPE it would look like ‘Rustic, Cottage, Farmhouse’ 🙂 But something tells me it probably just looks like a chaotic mess 🙂

    Reply
  2. Charlotte | Living Well on the Cheap says

    October 3, 2011 at 7:47 am

    It’s easier for me to say what’s not included than what is! Definitely not Asian, tribal, Tuscan, or Southwest. But I do have healthy doses of vintage, cottage, modern, and kitschy. I basically abide by the theory that if you absolutely love everything that comes in your house somehow it will all work together.

    Reply
  3. Teresa S. says

    October 3, 2011 at 9:04 am

    I am traditional coastal country 🙂

    Reply
  4. Linda @ MyCraftyHomeLife says

    October 3, 2011 at 10:09 am

    I am traveled, Asian, California-Coastal…..I guess!

    Reply
  5. Kate says

    October 3, 2011 at 12:46 pm

    Paradoxically, I’m modern, traditional, and, uh, broke?

    Reply
  6. Laura says

    October 3, 2011 at 2:22 pm

    I would say I am farmhouse cottage traditional? Not exactly sure that is it, but it’s my best guess!

    Reply
  7. Erin @ His and Hers says

    October 3, 2011 at 4:02 pm

    I’ve never thought about it…but now I will! Thanks for the guidance on pinpointing 3 so I don’t end up with a Tribal-Urban-Traditional-Modern-Glam-Farmhouse-French-Rustic-Beachy mess. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Candice says

    October 3, 2011 at 6:09 pm

    I love this post! It’s exactly what I needed to put a name to my style. Right now it’s French – Farmhouse – Traditional. Now, is that what my house has it in? Not really, but when the furniture salesperson asks me what I like, I don’t have to stare blankly back at him or her. Also, it’s already helped me search craigslist. I go to the furniture section and search “French” and I love pretty much everything that comes up! 🙂

    Reply
  9. Erin says

    October 3, 2011 at 6:10 pm

    Contemporary retro international?

    Reply
  10. alicia says

    October 3, 2011 at 10:11 pm

    Parisian flea market, traditional, Austin TX funky

    Reply
  11. Lisa says

    October 3, 2011 at 10:30 pm

    Mid-century Mediterranean garden.

    Reply
  12. Liz says

    October 4, 2011 at 11:33 am

    I’m mostly Modern with some Traditional and Farmhouse touches.

    Reply
  13. Jennie says

    October 4, 2011 at 12:19 pm

    Classic Global Cozy… I love this series so far! Thanks!

    Reply
  14. Ann Calhoun says

    October 4, 2011 at 1:48 pm

    I would say I’m Vintage, Asian, Modern, Industrial? Although I haven’t done a very good job of mixing it within rooms – it’s mostly one room is Asian, one room is Vintage, etc. But now I’m inspired to mix it up!

    Reply
  15. Rachelle Miller says

    October 4, 2011 at 11:16 pm

    It is tough for me to narrow down, but I guess I’d have to say that I’m Elegant, French, Modern, Whimsy.

    Reply
  16. Criss says

    October 8, 2011 at 10:53 pm

    Farmhouse cottage traditional

    Reply
  17. megan says

    February 28, 2013 at 11:33 pm

    This eclectic series is very helpful. I am designing my new apartment in a new city with my newlywed husband. Surprisingly, and gratefully, he wants to help design our new home. I realized by looking at Pinterest that I leaned toward and Eclectic style. This post has helped me define my style. Design Style: Traditional, Modern, Moroccan.

    I have always loved Moroccan style, but I have not wanted to to overwhelm my home. By being eclectic, I can blend these three styles for a fun effect that fits mine and my husbands personality. 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay Ballard says

      March 5, 2013 at 3:39 pm

      Oh, good! I’m so glad you found it helpful. Traditional, Modern, Moroccan sounds like fun!

      Reply
  18. Mrs. MaDD says

    October 19, 2013 at 8:40 am

    Thank you so much for these posts! My husband and I started reading them as a joke, since our house is currently an “old attic, early basement” aesthetic, with everything scrounged. When we came across you style definition of “Awesome Contemporary Industrial French”, we were happy-dancing! Its a great heading to help us narrow things down to a more cohesive look that still encompasses my artwork, his vintage outboard motors, and the fire hydrant in the dinning room!

    Reply
  19. Jennifer says

    December 17, 2013 at 8:47 pm

    Great post! I would say I am vintage, traditional, farmhouse, French!
    I’m inspired!! 🙂

    Reply
  20. ginna says

    December 27, 2013 at 7:18 pm

    is there a LIST somewhere of the styles? It’s gotta be a limited list…’cause right now I’m thinking there is an unlimited list of styles and it’s kind of overwhelming! “Loft” sounds good (open, airy, spacious). I love “vintage” (old, could be kitschy, maybe distressed-wood or peeling paint, but definitely reminiscent of a happy time) and “classic” because it is timeless, beautiful, and not-trendy.

    Reply
  21. Dianne says

    December 10, 2014 at 5:01 pm

    I’m… Modern Bohemian Eclectic. Or at least I want to be, badly. 😉 I have some traditional pieces, like a Chesterfield tufted sofa and 1 and a half chair, but I’m trying to tie them in. Really looking forward to a colorful boho rug.

    Reply
  22. Carol555 says

    June 10, 2015 at 3:08 am

    Farmhouse, Contemporary and Modern would be my top 3 for my First home

    Reply
  23. Kez says

    July 3, 2015 at 4:02 pm

    I don’t have a style yet. I am only just starting out on redoing my home décor style. I want something to is peaceful, happy, modern, elegant, personal. So I am going to research a few styles and see what I come up with.

    Reply
  24. Cenepk10 says

    December 6, 2016 at 10:56 am

    This look can’t be contrived. It’s collected & autobiographal. What you LOVE will work.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. home inspiration-cape cod summer home says:
    October 9, 2011 at 11:03 pm

    […] with Lindsay did a great post last week on Defining Your Style, and while this home isn’t what I’m usually drawn to, there are definitely elements of […]

    Reply
  2. home inspiration-cape cod summer home says:
    October 9, 2011 at 11:03 pm

    […] with Lindsay did a great post last week on Defining Your Style, and while this home isn’t what I’m usually drawn to, there are definitely elements of […]

    Reply
  3. Introducing You to Some Great Folks {Folk Magazine} - Makely School for Girls says:
    April 26, 2013 at 6:02 am

    […] the country and primitive design aesthetic aren’t typically the most prominent one in my eclectic style mix, I’m a gal who loves the vintage feel that often comes with that lifestyle.  Making […]

    Reply
  4. Hi. I'm a New Rug. - Makely School for Girls says:
    June 5, 2013 at 6:22 am

    […] to you, but I must say that it is pure bold, vintage quirk.   Oooooh, that sounds like a perfect eclectic style mix, doesn’t it?  However, I do want to show you a fun little piece that can be completed in […]

    Reply
  5. A Tour of the HGTV Smart Home (Part One) says:
    May 29, 2015 at 8:48 am

    […] This year’s smart home is in the Zilker Park neighborhood in Austin – a little bit of the new Austin nestled in between a lot of the old Austin.  The style of the house and furnishings is considered “Modern Austin Farmhouse” (remember when I said to mesh three styles together for a good eclectic mix?). […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

About Makely

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.


Archives

Categories

PRIVACY POLICY
Copyright © 2009-2019 Makely School for Girls | All Rights Reserved | Posts may contain advertising content or affiliate links