2. A style that would allow them to retain previous historic precedent, but create
unseen designs. From a complete catalogue of past styles, the ability to mix and
combine styles allowed for more expressive freedom and provided an endless
source of inspiration.
Eclecticism is a conceptual approach that does not hold rigidly to a
single paradigm or set of assumptions, but instead draws upon multiple theories,
styles, or ideas to gain complementary insights into a subject, or applies different
theories in particular cases. However, this is often without conventions or rules
dictating how or which theories were combined.
INTRODUCTION
3. When eclectic architecture emerged in the mid-19th
century, architects used new materials developed
during the Industrial Revolution, including steel and
plate glass. Architects used these modern materials to
combine and update older styles in eclecticism.
Thus, a lot of effort and creativity is necessary to make an
eclectic-style project look logically interconnected.
Further, eclectic design works to make all these different
styles work cohesively. However, colors, fabric, and finish
tend to be neutral to further help these different
influences come together and without looking chaotic.
4. TIME PERIOD
-Eclecticism was the dominant movement in Western architecture from about
1870 to 1930, the period stretching from the mid-Victorian era to the early
20th century.
-it is a 19th and 20th century architectural style in which a single piece of
work incorporates a mixture of elements from previous historical styles to
create something that is new and original.
Eclecticism in architecture developed in the 19th
century alongside the Industrial Revolution, which
took place in Europe and the United States from 1760
through 1840. During the Industrial Revolution, new
technologies and materials transformed how people
produce goods.
5. ORIGIN
-Eclecticism was first recorded to have been practiced by a group of ancient Greek and
Roman philosophers who attached themselves to no real system, but selected from
existing philosophical beliefs those doctrines that seemed most reasonable to them.
-Out of this collected material they constructed their new system of philosophy. The term
comes from the Greek (eklektikos), literally "choosing the best".
Eclecticism in architecture originated in Europe and was inspired in part by the Beaux
Arts style in France and Victorian architecture in Great Britain.
Beaux Arts designs tend to be decadent and draw on classical architectural elements,
especially columns and symmetry. These buildings feature sculptural decoration that
was carefully chosen to express the purpose of the structure. Because Beaux Arts
developed after the Industrial Revolution, architects used new materials like cast iron,
and many buildings reflect the increasing importance of technology in daily life.
6. CHARACTERISTICS
- Mixing different visual elements.
Mixing prints, patterns, and textures is the foundation of eclectic design. Eclectic
decor brings together different shapes, compositions, and design elements that
normally wouldn’t complement each other to create an additional dimension or layer
of interest.
- Fusion of modern and traditional.
Eclectic design marries decor from different time periods. You might see vintage
furniture paired with minimalist art of architecture. You might also see a mid-century
modern style bathroom complete with French Renaissance accents.
- It’s carefully curated.
Eclectic interior design may look effortless, but decorators need to carefully curate
the individual variables to make sure that everything works together. There is often a
unifying element or theme, like color, texture, or a specific focal point.
7. -Disparate furniture
Unmatching furniture is one of the most prominent characteristics
of eclectic interior design. Eclectic style professes mix and match
of contrasting elements. In these lines, a dining table could have
chairs of multiple colors and still manage to look uniform on the
whole.
-Plain background
The walls of eclectic interior design are largely painted with neutral
colors to compensate for the eclectics of the
rest of the interiors.
-Statement pieces
Statement pieces add to the eclectic nature of the interiors. From
statement lights to statement furniture, one big accessory is
enough to add to the core of eclectic design.
Eclectic interior design is an evolving style that perpetually adapts
elements of evolving trends into its core characteristics. Hence,
there is always something new in this design.
8. Some of the Features of this Style are-
Combining different periods and styles for a
cohesive look
A mixture of various colors, textures, finishes,
shapes.
Geometric shapes, contrasting colors, patterns
Replenish the space with objects you love.
Materials: mix of materials with textures, colors,
finishes.
Fabrics/textiles: rough and smooth textures,
patterns
Color: palates vary different themes, neutral
background colors and accent colors
Furniture: rough textures and finishes
Décor: gallery wall with art, handmade items,
statement objects.
9. Furniture Design
Eclecticism extended to furniture design as well. Asian and Middle Eastern production
methods and designs were used prolifically and have come to earmark certain decades of the
19th and 20th centuries - like Japanese lacquered surfaces or the introduction of the
ottoman (Turkish divan). The Victorian Era meant fair use of multiple types of design in
furniture production.
Furnishings are fusion of different styles (modern and classic) with
an attractive mix of patterned upholstery and colors; materials (old
and new, soft and hard); wood, metal, glass etc. For illustration a
Victorian style coffee table is paired with contemporary armchair, a
dining table has two different types of chair, etc. traditional style
coffee table with printed or floral patterns of throw pillows and rugs
in a living room.
10. Fabrics
In this style, materials with contrasting colors, patterns, textures
(smooth and rough textured), mix of bright colors such as red, green,
purple, orange, etc., with added textures, bold patterns not only
create unique design, but also add richness and luxurious feel to the
room. Textiles with various prints and pattern-geometric, printed,
floral, ikat pattern etc., of cushions, blankets, throws, curtains have
to coordinate with each other
Decor
Eclectic style homes are organized with various type of
accessories; vintage pieces, memoirs from travel that gathers our
travel memories, mirrors, wooden baskets, colorful and patterned
throw pillows, patterned rugs that bring softness and comfort for
underfoot, plants/ hanging pots that create a relaxing atmosphere
to the room. In addition, walls with beautifully decorated art
works, handcrafted pieces bring in personality and visual interest
in this style.
11. Walls, Flooring and Ceiling
Flooring and ceilings with neutral colors and simple patterns,
walls with neutral/colorful accents with simple design wall
papers, statement pieces, handmade items add visual
interest and boast eclectic interior décor. Coordination of
multiple colors within a room brings an attractive and
cohesive look to eclectic style within.
Lighting
Ambient lightings decorated with floor and table lamps, lanterns,
candles with a combination of classic or modern materials, accents
of wood, handmade light fixtures add beauty, serenity and vibrant
atmosphere to Eclectic style. In addition, light fixtures can act as
statement pieces in any room.
12. Tools used in making furniture :-
Hand saws
Power saws
Planes
Sanders
Files
Hammer
Mallet
Drill
Screw Gun
Tape Measure
Square
Sawhorses
Workbench
14. Examples:
--Industrial style solid wood buffet table
Rustic style oak finish framed tv stand
cream and brown colour ottoman
-Mid-century modern two-piece end table
-Eclectic interior design is about bringing
together disparate patterns, textures, colors,
sizes and proportions on one platform, i.e the
interiors.
In the context of interior design, this means
bringing together characteristics of traditional
interior design and Scandinavian interior design
in one room.
15. Some of the other examples of eclectic design could be seen onboard ocean
liners (which at the time were the primary form of overseas transport). The lavish
interiors were crafted with a mix of traditional styles—in an attempt to ease the
discomfort of months abroad and to create the illusion of established grandeur.
At a similar time, such vessels were being used to transport colonists to undeveloped
areas of the world. The colonization of such areas, further spread the Eclectic
architecture of the western world, as newly settled colonists built structures
commonly featuring Roman classicism and Gothic motifs.
16.
17. The Innovation of Eclecticism
Eclecticism was not a definition of a specific aesthetic but
a description of a sensibility towards design that
borrowed from historic example and chose from them or
integrated them heterogeneously. Eclecticism is an
unique aesthetic in that it allows for choice based on
individual taste, necessity, and inclination. This in itself
came to represent a more egalitarian society in which
wealth became more evenly distributed, and was freed
from the restraint of class and aesthetic exclusion.
18. From the 19th century on, a growing middle class began to have access for the
first time to products that were previously out of their economic reach. This was
do to innovations of the industrializated age, more specifically the advent of
machine processes and automation. Production became cheaper. Furthermore,
novel and cheap materials - like that of plywood and cast iron — meant that many
people could afford to buy decorative elements like clocks, china, wallpaper,
furniture, and rugs among other things.
INDUSTRIALIZATION AND COLONIZATION
19. Manufacturers and merchants took advantage of the importation of exotic
products, many of which were used in decoration — Chinese vases, Persian rugs,
silk cloth from India, etc. Insofar as the middle class understanding and experience
of the world, railroad and steamships gave opportunity to many to travel across
the country or abroad. Books, magazines and newspapers described these distant
lands, whetting an appetite for non-Western aesthetics.
Curiosity cabinets were a reflection of this. The wood and glass storage pieces had
shelves that could house a variety of objects exotic, strange, and novel, a quaint,
interactive addition to a room that piqued the interest of visitors.
20. The new design style began to include everything that was fashionable, comfortable,
relevant and attractive in the styles preceding it. Nowadays any interior that cannot
be defined into one particular style is usually called eclectic. Freedom, lack of cliches,
multicomponent, mixture of all kinds of shapes, colors, materials, proportions, natural
and ethnic motifs – all this gives maximum opportunities for imagination in interior
design.Many consider the reason for the popularity of the eclectic style to be
romanticism, which implies absolutely free movement in historical periods and the
rejection of the strict framework and canons established before in art.
How eclecticism is used in the modern style furniture
21. The harmonious blend of furniture in different styles is the basis of eclectic style. A
Victorian chest of drawers, baroque armchairs and a modern sofa can coexist in one room.
Furniture pieces with dynamic shapes are highly valued. Vintage items are welcome –
refurbished chairs, dressing tables, furniture with wooden carvings can be combined with be
sofas and armchairs with modern silhouettes and colors.
A characteristic feature of eclectic style in the interior design is the abundance of various
decorative elements. Accessories play an important role in this style. Most often, it is they
who create contrasts in the room, while at the same time are used as a connecting link
between the elements of the decor. Accessories are selected in accordance with two
principles – similarity with the main decoration of the room in which case you need a
repetition of textures, ornaments, palettes or, contrast. The second option is typical of the
eclectic style. For example a vintage chandelier can be combined with a high-tech metal
fixture, a gilded mirror frame against a background of rough brickwork, a chair with fluffy
upholstery and a leather pouf, etc.