Tuesday, May 11, 2021

How to Create an Eclectic Florida-Inspired Space with Color and Pattern

With its playful aesthetic and colorful palette, Florida style merges nicely with eclectic sensibilities. Intentionally composed and curated, this style brings in pieces from different designs into a uniquely personal look. Unburdened by rules, the blending of these two aesthetics gives you the freedom to explore any looks you are drawn to, individual pieces that, when collected, make a pleasing whole.




Guidelines for Florida Eclectic Style

The juxtaposition between opposites is what makes an eclectic space work. Traditional and modern, old and new all come together in these spaces. Pattern and color can be used in exciting ways in Florida upholstery, floors and walls, and accent pieces.

For example, with its clean lines and high contrast, this look would feel right at home in a Miami loft apartment. The sofas are prim and tailored, with modern silhouettes. Their neutral color anchors the space, and the contrasting color on the chair and metallic legs add a touch of the unexpected to the space.

Eclectic style Dos:

  • Do use pattern and color boldly and with confidence
  • Do mindfully curate the space to keep it balanced
  • Do play with color, pattern, and texture

Eclectic style Don’ts:

  • Don’t get too hung up on rules, there is no single right way
  • Don’t just throw things together without thinking about how they fit together
  • Don’t forget white space and symmetry to strike the right balance

Play with Your Sense of Whimsy and Fun

One of the hallmarks of Florida's eclectic style is adding unexpected items that surprise and delight you and your family. Play with your sense of whimsy and bring in a sense of fun. Use wicker, rattan, or bamboo in the dining room or living room. Use different objects of the same color to create a more curated, cohesive look that isn’t too matchy-matchy.

Mix Textures for Visual Interest

As with any design, you want to incorporate different textures to add depth and interest, especially if you are using a simple color palette. Items to consider adding include shaggy throw pillows or rugs, nubby fabrics, thick weaves, rough wood, and smooth metal finishes.

Remember the rule of threes, and use one of your textures at least three times in three different areas of your home. This helps keep the look cohesive.

Florida Eclectic Style Colors

Color can bring different styles together into a unified whole. In Florida eclectic décor, you’ll find light, airy colors such as sand, turquoise, coral, citrusy limes, and orange. By combining the brights with neutrals and texture, you can create a look that is delicate rather than heavy-handed. Although the eclectic style is varied, each room in the home should complement each other, if the style changes abruptly from room to room, the overall feel of the house can be disjointed.

Create a Lived-In Look

As you choose décor for your Florida eclectic design, keep in mind that the rooms are meant to be lived in. Let utility and practicality inform your decisions. Thinking about how you will use a room will help pull it together. Bookshelves, baskets, card tables, and drink trays all lend a cozy, lived-in vibe to your home.

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