The 1950’s brought out the best in
Art Deco and in the 1960’s Americans began mixing styles and the Eclectic
House plans emerged as a strange but personal reflection of one’s own sense
of style. To be sure, these plans were one-of-a-kind and created an
approval for the out of the ordinary and progressive design for a home. So
ever since that time, designers have been offering the opportunity for any
homeowner to explore the possibilities for mixing styles in a clever and
creative way that makes the Eclectic
Home plan a viable option for anyone who is adventurous, creative and
perhaps well traveled.
Today we are seeing a variety of
that have evolved and identified further such as the Neo-Eclectic Colonial and
the Neo-Eclectic Mediterranean. And of course there are other forms that
have been labeled with the “Neo-“ tag and the reality is that any home that
leans toward a particular style but incorporates design elements of other styles
is truly “eclectic” by definition. And thanks to the professionalism and
expertise of the great designers the mix of styles has turned out the most
unique and creative structures that compliment the neighborhoods and provide a
special touch to any outstanding residential community.
When a plan is labeled as an
Eclectic Home plan, there will be the presence of mixed styles where one might
see a Queen Anne Turret with mixtures of Federal and French influences.
The Eclectic home combines styles that have been around for centuries as if they
have been waiting for someone with an unusual artistic sense to put them
together. Exterior finishes are left to be combined by the use of brick,
perhaps along side stucco or siding. Even the use of faux materials has a
place within the non-existent boundaries of set design.
Interiors of Eclectic
homes can vary in style as much as the overall building designs. The
variation in interior designs usually comes from someone who has traveled
extensively and has adopted a fancy for a variety of unique and cultural design
elements. As with the exteriors, there are really no rules on what
finishes go with which. The key is to incorporate the eye of an expert
home designer or interior designer to incorporate elements of color, space and
placement for the right theme to emerge in a way that says this eclectic home is
“coordinated”.
Many have heard the term McMansions
and this too is an example of the Eclectic house. They are usually
oversized and pretentious and they are often described as cheaply constructed,
with inexpensive materials and a whole plethora of mixed details. So you
see, when someone says “eclectic” they are really saying, “Anything Goes” and
they are usually right about that. The eclectic house plan is a melting
pot just as our culture is a melting pot of people, cultures and
opinions.
An Eclectic home can be weird,
strange, unconventional, and unusual. However, when a homeowner truly
wants their living space to be a perfect reflection of who they are, there are
no rules on how the design conforms, just the element of balance that can be
administered by the professional designer to turn an eclectic home into a living
work of art.
Preston Wood and Associates is a member the "American Institute of
Building Design" or "AIBD". The "AIBD" is a national organization with
chapters in every major city including
