The buyers’ guide
to eclectic interiors

Start with some funky furniture

“When it comes to creating an eclectic space, the first step is to forget any rigid discipline in terms of interior ‘rules’ and listen to your intuition and instincts. Have fun with colour and form. If you need inspiration for bolder colour combinations, look to your favourite art pieces,” advises Eleanor Gregory, Selfridges’ Buying Manager for Home. “Sculptural furniture pieces can offer some great energy, particularly small side tables or footstools.” Her favourites? A bold Kartell stool (arriving at Selfridges soon) or a recycled plastic one from Normann (left).
 

Try some bold tableware  

If you’re new to maximalism, a dinner party is the perfect opportunity to experiment with aesthetics. “The trick to a great table setting is to think about what you’d want from a dinner party – a mixture of personalities, a fun atmosphere and plenty of conversation starters,” says Selfridges buyer Robyn Redmond. “Focus on layers and texture – think funky plates, colourful glassware and bold napkin rings. I love the new Soho Home dining and tableware collection, as well as Anna + Nina’s playful pieces. It’s also about using height in the right spaces, which is easily done with jugs, floral arrangements and candlesticks.”

Quirky details make all the difference

“Chequers are very popular right now – which is great since they’re a favourite pattern of mine!” says Paboy Bojang, the founder of In Casa By Paboy, whose bright cushions are guaranteed to spark joy (take that, Marie Kondo.) “People are not afraid to be bold at the moment.” For those less confident with colour, we asked him for his tips on mixing and matching. “Normally, I put four or five colours in front of me and move them around until I feel good about a selection.” These could be fabric swatches, or even coloured scraps of paper. As for furniture, Paboy recommends keeping the bigger items more simple and using bold pieces to accent. An asymmetrical wall mirror from Ferm Living also helps expand the space and allows bolder details to breathe. "To strike a balance between eclectic and overkill, use one theme to anchor your interior scheme. This could be shape, colour, texture or time period," advises Eleanor.

Unique candles add extra character

“An easy first step could be as simple as introducing a few decorative pieces that have a sense of humour and offer a visual pun. For example, a Fornasetti candle adds artistic flair to any space,” advises Eleanor. Robyn recommends using candles for tablescaping purposes: “No coffee table is complete without a candle, and thanks to And Objects, once the candle has finished burning, the Murano glass vessel can be used as a vase or a storage pot. Goodbye single-use!” As for the best candles, Jo Malone, Diptyque and Neom candles create some of our favourite scents.
 

Choose things you love (and that will last)

Whilst trends come and go, the key to evolving your space is only choosing things you truly love. “A few pieces that give you joy can last a lifetime!” says Stefano. Smaller items can be swapped in and out depending on season or mood. “Anything that I don’t need I save for later, as trends often come back,” says Paboy. “My latest collection of bolster cushions was created entirely from scraps of fabric. With textiles there are so many ways we can reuse and repurpose them.” Perhaps that means making your own napkins, or transforming a tablecloth into a cushion cover. For artist Laetitia Rouget, no piece of paper or cardboard is wasted. “My new hobby is to work with papier-mâché. Reuse all the paper and cardboard in your house, mix it with water and glue. Then it’s time to be creative! Personally, I will be doing a few bins, lampshades, chairs and vases for my house.” With Christmas on the horizon, why not experiment with some eclectic DIY gifts?