Style Breakdown: The Eclectic Kitchen

Creative, artistic, odd and eccentric could all describe the trend known as eclectic, a design popping up in living spaces from coast to coast. And they are popping up with color, imaginative textiles, mix and match kitchen countertops and crafts that border on clutter.

When designing your eclectic kitchen, there is one central aspect you need to keep in mind: Eclectic kitchens are an expression of YOU, and you alone. What’s good for the goose in this instance may not be so good for the gander.

It’s all about mixing patterns and textures and paint colors and wallpapers. It’s about blurring the line between rustic and modern and country. It’s about re-imagining your cabinets, stools, appliances, china, walls, floors and counters with a whimsical flair. Try a Persian rug and rainbow-dipped dishes joined by a bright blue vase and mismatched barstools.

Think hard about of mixing kitchen countertop stones and designs. The splendor and whimsy of a Butterfly Green Granite counter with a Viscount White Granite island top and a separate, unattached, small marble counter would bring an eclectic beauty to your new kitchen. Picture a bright orange standing mixer proudly displayed on a bed of white. That unattached, lower traffic counter area is ideal for Statuario Marble and its gold and gray veining. Statuario Marble is eclectic in itself, a rare stone, perfect for this project. Remember, marble can etch, meaning it is susceptible to acidic foods and drinks, such as lemons and wine, so use caution if using the area for prepping dinner.

Just like eclectic design does not equate to clutter and randomness, the trend is also not all about nostalgia. Retro finds conform well to an eclectic kitchen—a potbelly stove is ideal—but so does modern and contemporary. That bright orange mixer may be brand new, dame with that Persian carpet. A modern stainless steel stove and black microwave butted against a marble counter can create a wonderful offsetting balance to your wall-mounted spice rack, a classic that was exiled to the pantry years ago when the wave of clean-cut kitchens fell into favor.

While an eclectic kitchen conjures images of disarray, done correctly, you will have crafted a seamless blend flowing throughout the room. To pull off such a design, you need to focus on some sort of symmetry and order, a method to the madness. Control is key, as is patience. From beginning to end, creating a successful eclectic design takes time and will probably be your most difficult design challenge to date. But it will be so worth it.

Talk to one of our design experts and start planning your dream eclectic kitchen in Chalfont, Ambler, or Fort Washington, PA today with the help of Hometech Renovations!