Kitchen Workbook: 10 Elements of an Eclectic Kitchen
Eclectic kitchens can come in wildly different flavors, from homespun to far flung. Consider these 10 a sample platter
Rebekah Zaveloff
March 13, 2012
Eclectic is a term that is often used when a person has a hard time pinpointing his or her own style — or anyone else's for that matter. Eclectic done right has a sense of effortless confidence, even though this is one of the hardest looks to achieve. Eclectic done wrong is somewhere between a chaotic mess and a train wreck.
Sure, it's your house, and if you're a total rebel and really don't care if things work together, then by all means, go for it. But if you want to look like a rebel with a cause — you want your home to look like it's been casually collected over time with effortless ease — here are a few things to consider. Warning: If anything that doesn't match makes you crazy and feeling short of breath, continue at your own risk.
More kitchen styles:
Classic | Traditional | Transitional | Modern | Contemporary | Cottage | Craftsman | Mediterranean
Sure, it's your house, and if you're a total rebel and really don't care if things work together, then by all means, go for it. But if you want to look like a rebel with a cause — you want your home to look like it's been casually collected over time with effortless ease — here are a few things to consider. Warning: If anything that doesn't match makes you crazy and feeling short of breath, continue at your own risk.
More kitchen styles:
Classic | Traditional | Transitional | Modern | Contemporary | Cottage | Craftsman | Mediterranean
1. A fashionable mix. Just like a DJ that's sampling tunes or a fashionista mixing clothing, attempting the art of the mix can go awry on a drop of a dime. It can become a cacophony of sound or a clashing of pattern on pattern. Believe it or not, eclectic design actually involves a ton of restraint, and I'm not sure about others, but for me it involves a lot of trial-and-error editing. This kitchen's mix-master elements: its simple farmhouse-style cabinets, butcher block top and bar stools mixed with the elegant glass chandeliers and marble countertops, and a dash of whimsy thrown in with the wallpaper and bright colors.
2. Well-traveled flair with modern touches. I love this kitchen's bohemian feel. In my book, you can never go wrong mixing modern molded white plastic chairs and a vintage Kilim rug. And not to mention, who thinks of doing that in a kitchen in the first place? Most people would put an island in here. The cabinets have an Asian flair, while the modernism of the lights, appliances and chairs creates an unexpected tension.
3. Humor and irreverence. This kitchen has it going on. And it's a lucky space in that the dining area is part of the kitchen, so more layering with furniture pieces is possible. (With a kitchen that's compartmentalized away from the rest of the house, it's tougher to achieve this level of mixing.)
This is the sort of space that's fun to analyze. You've got modern tile and cabinets mixed with a traditional chandelier and dining table. There's more contrast created by the modern chairs and lacquered red console, and humor added with the yellow striped ceiling. Not only does this room masterfully mix periods and styles, it also has a handle on color that few have.
This is the sort of space that's fun to analyze. You've got modern tile and cabinets mixed with a traditional chandelier and dining table. There's more contrast created by the modern chairs and lacquered red console, and humor added with the yellow striped ceiling. Not only does this room masterfully mix periods and styles, it also has a handle on color that few have.
4. Masculine, moody and elegant aspects. Not all eclectic kitchens have to be a study in mixing and contrast on every level; some are more quietly eclectic. I love the simple mix of the dark lacquered modern cabinets and ethnic patterned tile on one full wall (how it's meant to be done.) And the antique brass hardware is a wonderful accent that many would overlook and just default to silver.
5. A modern, colorful and global outlook. Another fabulous mix of styles and color. The colors and lighting are decidedly ethnic, but the walnut cabinets are earthy modern. What's interesting is that the tile is really simple and unadorned, but with that color mixed with the Venetian plaster feel on the walls, it looks more ethnic even without a specific pattern. The red bentwood cafe stools add a vintage flair, but in that color mixed with the turquoise tile, they take on a whole new language.
6. Farmhouse, modern and classic facets. Eclectic can be restrained and subtle. The contrasting elements in this kitchen might not be as noticeable at first glance, but there's a subtle tension between styles. The plaster hood and wood cabinets have a European farmhouse feel, while the built-in hutch wall is very classic and something you see in cottage and bungalow homes across the states. The butcher block–topped island has a humble farmhouse feel, while the ubermodern pendant lights and full-height marble backsplash show off a contemporary element and are all the more interesting because they're placed within the context of these other elements.
7. Modern and pretty expressions. Another quietly eclectic kitchen, mostly modern with the simple white cabinets, open shelves and restrained styling on the island. But add in that fabulous embossed patterned tile running up the beam ceiling with the four antique brass pendant lights, and you have something completely different and unexpected. Even the counter stools have an attitude of being effortlessly cool.
8. A little bit country and a little bit rock-n-roll. There can be an air of irreverence that comes with an eclectic kitchen, a knack for ignoring the rules ... or, frankly, just having the attitude that there are no rules to be ignored in the first place. This kitchen looks like it and the people who live here know how to have fun.
9. French country, modern and industrial style. Country houses are often places where homeowners feel it's safer to ignore the rules and do what they like. There's an attitude of "why not?" And when you let your creativity flow without worrying about its being perfect, you often end up with a much more interesting space. Original oak cabinets were painted white and mixed with an industrial stainless steel island and stools, modern appliances and Mediterranean-style terra cotta tyle with plenty of patina.
10. Modern rustic taste. Achieving an eclectic look can be as simple as having a country kitchen and doing a modern light fixture of the table. One element is sometimes all a space needs to go from predictable to eclectic.
More in this series:
How to Find Your Kitchen Style
How to Remodel Your Kitchen
So Your Style Is: Eclectic
More in this series:
How to Find Your Kitchen Style
How to Remodel Your Kitchen
So Your Style Is: Eclectic
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Here are some more eclectic kitchens: