Tacky Tuscan, Nouveau Rich, Eclectic and Timeless

Hi Christine,

Thank you for answering my question about design tension. 

It has got me thinking about Eclectic styled rooms which I understand is also

a mix of styles, or maybe periods, and would like to know more about it.

What I've been hearing lately is that we need to make rooms look collected

over time and wonder if that ties in with the Eclectic style.

Mary

Hi Mary,

A home that looks like it has been a collection over time is not the same as eclectic.  Let me show you the difference.

It is easiest to show you homes that do not look like they have evolved over time.  I call these nouveau riche, meaning new money.  Another name I have for it is Tacky Tuscan.  ;-)  I have a couple of pictures of homes for you from the New Housewives of Atlanta, where, in the one and only episode I have ever watched, I saw all nouveau riche design. 

I see matching sets, a lack of antiques...

All  brand new furniture, again, no antiques, no classics, match, match, match.  These are homes that could have easily been decorated without an interior designer at all. 

The architecture lacks interest.  Rather it says to me, "Look how large I am, look how high my ceiling is!"  But when you look closely, it looks like a glorified magnified tract home. This look was not collected over time, it could have been collected in a long weekend shopping spree.

As a contrast, look at the room above.  Do you see any matching sets of case pieces or upholstery?  No.  Does everything look brand new?  No.  It might be, but it doesn't look it.  That's the point.  The opposite of the tacky Nouveau Riche look would be what I would simply call, Timeless.

Eclectic is referring to a different principle altogether.  An eclectic look is created when you combine different styles.  For example, the Asian busts combined with the modern art above- is a perfect example of eclectic.  This is also an example of design tension.  There is overlap in the two thoughts. The real difference is simply that design tension is more extreme.

For another example of tacky thoughtless decorating- check out Dr. Phil's house in this post.

The top three photos of The New Housewives of Atlanta are from celebrity Digs.  The other photos are from Architectural Digest.

Design Tension

This post is in response to a comment from this post.

Christine,

Great advice as always. :)

I have a question about the rug and sofa. When you say they are disconnected in style do you mean that the rug is traditional and the sofa is contemporary? I've been hearing a lot of talk lately about design tension and I thought it meant that you can mix styles to create this tension. What is design tension and how do we do it correctly?

- Mary

Hi Mary,

Design Tension is the feeling of harmony that comes from the the use of opposing styles.  Take a look at the bedroom above.  The wall decor, light fixtures, crisp walls and bright flooring and bedding are all very very contemporary- perhaps even modern.  The furniture, on the other hand is extremely traditional.  The caning and turns are historically nothing that would be paired with such a modern interior.  Who can deny, however, that they are the perfect addition to the room.  A more contemporary bed would have been predictable, and certainly have less impact than the beautiful tension that you feel with this very unexpected choice.  This is design tension. 

The use of extremes is always present in a successful use of design tension.  The rug and sofas at the top of the post are indeed different styles, the rug is quite traditional, the sofas are more contemporary.  There is no color connection, or style connection.  And whereas the styles are different, they are just a little bit different- not the use of extremes that create what would be considered design tension.  (in a good way.  ;) 

How do you use design tension correctly?  It is actually pretty difficult for the average joe to pull this look off, and yet for some, the instinct comes so naturally.  It is one of those elements of interior design, where if it does not come naturally, perhaps you could copy a professional, like in the photo above from Veranda. 

If you haven't voted- check out this post.

 XOXO

- Thanks for the good question!

- Christine