Make Mine Eclectic

Trends? Psh.

December 22, 2008 at 9:42 pm (Inspiration) (2008, antique, best of, black and white, bold colors, clear, collections, compilation, cute, decor, decorate, decorating, displays, eclectic, empty frames, end of year, favorites, found art, frames, fun, home, house, ideas, industrial, Inspiration, last year, list, new year, personality, picture frames, remake, repurpose, retro, reuse, round up, style, taste, trend, trends, vintage)

It is the end of the year and every one starts rounding up the “best ofs”  lists.  I have been seeing a lot of lists of trend that people would either like to see more of or never see again.  The lists made me ponder.  I came to the conclusion that I do not care what is considered “trendy” or “in style”.  I like what I like and could care less what others think.  Actually, I think that I prefer things that were never in style (both clothing and home decor), because then it can never be considered out of style.  Also, if I like something, it is because it speaks to me.  It shouldn’t matter what list it is on.  I change my mind all the time, but not based upon what other people believe is “cool”.  I, personally, never fit into one category anyways, because I mix pieces from all different styles.  There should be no rules when it comes to your own tastes and your own home.  If you truly love it, go for it.

Whew.  With that said, I will step off of my soap box and show you all a visual list of the things that I have loved this year.  Not because they are trends or not, but because that was what was speaking to me this year.  I hope some one can find this inspirational, but in no way am I saying go out there and copy every picture.  (Would that make it a “trend”?)  Here goes:

1. The first thing that I have loved this year is collections.  They can be utilitarian or completely useless. To me, collections can be like art.  Some people think that if objects don’t function, they just sit there taking up space, but I think they can be beautiful.  Here is a group of cameras and a small group of stereos. 

 http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/look/look-framed-vintage-camera-collection-on-the-cheap-072111

Angela and Adam's Mood Change. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/fall-colors-2008-midwest/midwest-25-angela-and-adams-mood-change-066295

Graham and David's Modern Escape. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/2008-fall-colors-southwest/southwest-26-graham-davids-modern-escape-066631

3.  This is a little strange for me, but this year I have love all clear, or acrylic, furniture.  There are so many great pictures, but here is a gllimpse of one that I am wanting:

This one even contrasts well with the cabin decor. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/look/look-modern-cabin-071787

4.  No matter what anyone says, I love love love both empty frames and leaning frames.  I lean frames as opposed to hanging them all the time.  Against a wall, on a desk, on the floor…  Just a couple examples:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/inspiration/inspiration-cluster-of-frames-059600

Damien and Rachel's Chromatic Casa. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/fall-colors-2008-east/east-56-damien-rachels-chromatic-casa-066516?image_id=28726

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/downtown-la/vintage-industrial-design-cleveland-art-053339

6.  I am loving repurposed decor and furniture.  I have always been a fan of old, vintage, or antique items, but it more recently has occured to me how great it can be to repurpose some items into new things in the home.  Some of my favrite ideas below:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/boston/green-ideas/repurposed-truck-spring-kitchen-stools-064396

Mail box used for laundry. Patrick's World of Wonder. http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/121808patrick/001h

This is a vintage sign remade into a sliding door. I'm sorry, but I do not find where the image came from!

 7.  I am also a fan of decorating in black and white.  Don’t get me wrong, I love punches of color, but black and white can make a huge statment and go with so many additional colors.  Some great black and white pictures:

I'm not sure where this picture came from, but it is gorgeous!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/inspiration/white-apartment-black-accents-072358

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/hot-posts/january-most-popular-january-jumpstart-posts-best-of-2008-072729