Eclectic decorating style combines the elements of two, sometimes more, distinct decorating styles and creates a unique, unduplicated look that is unmistakenly individual.

Notice that I didn’t say, “throw anything and everything you like into a room and you’ll end up with a fantastic eclectic style space.”

You’ve probably been in one of those rooms before, and your first instinct is to turn and run.

While you are mixing and matching styles, there are three main elements that you will use as guidelines.

• First, think function...color...shape. Use one or more of these elements to create your eclectic space.

  For example, you might love the color red, and you are also quite adventurous with style, a risk taker when it comes to putting things together in unexpected ways.

  So, you create a neutral background by painting the walls a light, creamy off-white, and you anchor the space with a clean lined sofa upholstered in a nubby tan. From there, your accent pieces, area rug and artwork playfully combine textures and shades of red, using a combination of contemporary and rustic selections.

• Next, combine two styles with accents of a third, as a general guideline. Don’t throw too much together.

  In our example above, contemporary and rustic style lived happily in the same space.

  If our home decorator had included heavy-handed elements of shabby chic and retro in the same room, our ‘turn and run’ instinct might have taken over!

• Finally, find the commonality in the pieces you’ve elected to use in this space.

  Your contemporary decor with its clean, straight lines might include an asian inspired entertainment center, with the commonality being the straight lines of the piece.

  Glass and iron accent tables with their graceful curved legs will be comfortable in a space with a vintage trunk coffee table with iron pulls.

  The photo at the top of the page uses color as the common theme in the space, combining traditional style with elements of contemporary and country accents.

Most of all, have fun with your eclectic decorating style. Express your personality and lifestyle through interesting and unique selections for your home!