Eclectic Style & Vintage Interior Design Master Class

Looking to create a individual and unique home that blends new and old? Director and founder of Scaramanga, Carl Morenikeji reveals some simple techniques for mixing styles and eras to give your interior a wow factor! In its simplest an eclectic style is a look that is a creative mix of contrasting elements. So it means unique and individual rather than complying with any particular style. It's a style that is currently on trend whether in high street stores to hip restaurants and bars and airport lounges. In a world of mass production we crave unique and individual living spaces. However, the trick it to get it harmonious. Carl's 5 tips for creating an eclectic interior:

1. Make it personal - many notable eclectic interiors are filled with striking personal finds: gifted, inherited, bought on eBay, found in skips, collected on holiday. They all have stories to tell and a unique history. Together the combine a look can is yours. A willingness to embrace difference decorative arts and elements is essential and not a single style is essential.
2. A balancing act - ensure no style, era or theme dominates your spaces. For a real harmonious look aim for equal measures of contrasting elements - both old and new. Try adding contemporary colour to traditional antique pieces. Carl and his wife Emma, chose a colourful wild exotic fruit wallpaper named ‘Pomegranate’ by Pierre Frere. In front of the wallpaper are a collection of small natural wooden boxes with small drawers.
3. Changing objects - take items of their original setting and re-contextualise them. A large 1980s office clock sits next to antique chemists bottles and a corned beef packing crate on top of an bedroom armoire in Carl's kitchen.
4. Evolution and not revolution - an eclectic interior should be changing all the time. Move things around, add and take away whenever you want.
5. Size doesn't matter - remember there are really no rules, so put big things in small rooms and small things in big rooms to create contrasts. Carl and Emma have a large white 1980s office clock in the corner of their kitchen.

Add one stand out element. It could b a large antique table in a dining room or a painted armoire in a kitchen to be used as a larder. It's size and presence will draw people attention and create a talking point. We have worked with Dundee-based interior designer and stylist Sooz Gordon who regularly creates eclectic schemes for commercial and individual clients. Sooz says: 'Home for me is about being surrounded by personal and meaningful objects. I like mixing and matching different styles, eras and trends. I can honestly say there is no right or wrong route when designing. I am drawn to pieces that have character and have an interesting narrative. As a designer and maker, I look for quality materials, and appreciate craftsmanship and artistry. We all have different tastes and it would be extremely dull if we all liked the same thing. An eclectic style is about being confident about what you like and developing your own style. Read more about Sooz's tips about Making A House A Home. We asked Sooz whether engaging the services of an interior designer really does cost a lot.Sooz said: 'Absolutely not, there is quite a deal of bad press or rather preconceived ideas what the role of a designer is and what they charge. I have been asked simply to source a piece of furniture, to designing and project managing an interior of a whole house. In many ways bringing an interior designer on board will save you money. As you are getting their expertise on all areas of design such as space planning, liaising with various trades, and curation of new and existing furniture/objects. Further more offering design solutions you might never have thought of and also revealing interior sources you haven’t heard of. www.soozgordondesigns.com https://www.facebook.com/soozgordondesigns https://instagram.com/soozgordon/