Eclectic chic: How to mix styles, eras and textures

Make mini-rooms in an open space

Create separate areas in both the corners and the centre of a large room. A reading chair positioned beside a lamp and a bookshelf creates a functional vignette. And don’t be tempted to always push furniture against the walls. Place a sofa in the middle to create an instant partial divide and arrange other pieces asymmetrically to add interest.

Have fun with your couch. If you’re tired of your couch or it’s in need of a revamp, there’s no need to toss it or have it reupholstered. Replace the back cushions with multiple smaller ones in a variety of textures, shades and patterns for an easy, affordable new look.

For fail-safe mixing, keep either the design or the colour simple: Choose a single hue in different textures or designs, or mix similar patterns in two or three colours.

Mix large and small patterns

Building multiple patterns into a room is super-trendy but can be intimidating.
To make it easier, choose basic shapes like stripes and checkerboard, or keep the colour scheme simple.

Craft a mantel from a shelf

A modern, free-floating mantelpiece adds a perfect display space above a traditional fireplace.Choose a cantilevered shelf with hidden brackets for the neatest look, but remember to keep your knick-knacks light.

Blend country charm with contemporary design

A sleek dining table refreshes this cottage-like space and provides the perfect balance of old and new. You can also give a modern kitchen retro appeal by adding vintage fixtures to cabinets.

Invert your paint shades

Try flipping the colour scheme in two adjoining rooms to tie the spaces together and highlight your home’s architecture. In one room, choose a colour for the walls and a lighter neutral for trim; in the other, paint the walls light and use the darker shade for picture rails, crown mouldings and door frames.

Improvise a cute window seat

Throw a length of chintz fabric over worn vintage furniture to give it a new lease on life when placed under a dormer window. Don’t bother reupholstering; just drape fabric loosely for a laid-back and romantic finish.

Get grand with curtains. Floor-length curtains give a regal feel to any room by making ceilings appear higher and hiding old or small windows. Keep curtains simple and use natural fabrics in the bathroom — they’re less prone to mildew.