An eclectic interior is a space with a style that escapes an unambiguous definition. The foundation is the lack of unambiguous assumptions and the aesthetic of the whole is often defined by the interior designer’s personal taste and original vision.

It’s no secret it’s a style we feel good at. Why? Implementing projects in this style allows us to play with form, color, furniture texture and add ons. It opens up the opportunity to create an individual and unique interior.

Combined, a historic table from the beginning of the 20th century, chairs and a chandelier from the ‘70s, a Moroccan carpet, and items from various stylistic conventions, create a coherent composition in this interior.

The open kitchen is separated from the dining room by a metal structure whose industrial character has been softened with a light shade of gray. A brass strip adds lightness and elegance. Kitchen furniture is simple in form. Some of the fronts are made of raw brass.

The countertops and wall cladding is a quartzite composite with a pattern similar to the Calacatta marble. The kitchen annex is harmoniously connected to the living area of ​​the apartment.

We hunted for the dream chest of drawers for six months. Finally we found it and after renovating, we placed it next to the table in the dining room. The three-arm wall lamp was created out of several Italian lamps from the ‘70s, the candlestick is a design classic, the production of which was restarted a few years ago, and the oval-shaped lamp is a design classic from the ‘60s. Contemporary elements such as a round mirror, an abstract graphic or a ceramic decorative object fit right in.

A dressing room hides behind an old door brought from Belgium. The remaining doors, despite being made contemporarily per our designs, match perfectly. Instead of a classic, stylized hall rug, we decided to use tiles in a modern, geometric pattern.

Combinations of forms that seem too contrasting and objects from different aesthetics, placed in a context different from the one we are used to, allow the interior to take on a completely different character. In these kinds of projects, it is also extremely important to us that art appears as a necessary decorative element.

We selected minimalist-shaped brass taps for the simple, free-standing bathtub. For the floor, we decided on a ceramic, black scale tile with a golden glitter (!) fugue. The washbasin was placed on a commode from the ‘60s. We wanted this small bathroom to take on a bathing room character that would remind of holiday travels, hence the palm motif on the blinds, a palm lamp and a hand-woven rattan lamp coming down from the ceiling.

We debunk the myth that monochrome spaces are boring. They are not, especially for a bathroom in shades of rose and gold! Oval lamps, a terrazzo countertop and large-format Italian tiles with a pattern called “head cheese” make for another nod to the ‘60s.

Of course, it is worth remembering the context of the place and to respect its architectural tissue. Especially when it comes to apartments in old tenement buildings, we are definitely in favor of bringing out and emphasizing all exceptional details.

We love this combination! A contemporary table with Italian chairs from the ‘70s and abstract paintings on the wall. All this with classic coffers in the background.

A contemporary edition of the classic door joinery. Glass sliding doors have been installed in order not to waste space between the living room and the entrance hall. Palace-worth, French mirror from the beginning of the 20th century fits perfectly into the eclectic interior convention.

In these kinds of projects, the eclectic style allows for going beyond the classic plan and character of space. Owing to the combination of objects from different conventions, the created interiors are a nod to the past, but at the same time they are firmly rooted in the contemporary context.

The enfilade layout of the rooms stayed unchanged. The remaining elements were adapted to the residents’ contemporary needs. The tiled fireplace, the stucco layout and the door joinery have been designed contemporarily, but in their form they resemble the fragments of the preserved architectural details, and therefore give an impression as if they have always been there.

Among these few items, only the chairs are from several decades ago. Such a composition makes for an intergenerational dialogue between art and functional objects from different eras.

In our opinion, the fact that the eclectic style is gaining new following in Poland proves the importance of the search for an individual aesthetic. We are very happy that we can finally look for inspiration from within ourselves instead of thoughtlessly and ineptly introducing momentarily dominating tendencies and short term trends.

Interior design, comprehensive project supervision: JAM KOLEKTYW

Photographs: Jola Skóra

Styling: Anna Olga Chmielewska