Slavishly adhering to one style, especially one from the past (even if your home is Victorian or Colonial, for instance) can become very contrived, boring and unrealistic. Good design has truth to it, and the truth is we live in the 21st century. For example, Victorians were the original electicists - borrowing from Asian and colonial styles and mixing up all sorts of things. And if you want to be true to your 18th century home, you'll eliminate the kitchen, electricity, whirlpool tub and even indoor plumbing plus a myriad of conveniences that we take for granted and that the people living in that house originally would have loved to have had! But slavishness shouldn't extend either to modern styles. There are wonderful designs which stand the test of time from almost every era. Good lines and good designs mix well no matter where or when they come from, and this mixing, if done well, can create something more meaningful and interesting to us, to who we are now.

One of my personal mantras for my own home is that if I like it, then it works (it's the Duke Ellington thing again). I can always find a way to make things I like look good together. These things, at least for me, represent quite a range: antiques and modern furniture, contemporary art from around the world, primitive pieces and fine crafts, all sorts of natural materials - various woods used together, leather, stone, shell, sisal, wools - and the semi-unnatural such as glass, ceramic, and metals (all kinds - don't be prudish about mixing silvers and golds and coppers and brass - the idea that you can't mix metals is so un-eclectic), neutrals and more saturated colors, the practical and the simply stylish. Are you getting the idea? What holds these things together are good lines and a certain type of beauty that I find attractive.

You can do this too, especially if you have a good design sense and know what you like. But not everyone can do this type of decorating themselves. You can't just throw a bunch of different things together without a thought or a plan and expect it to look good. So I'm going to give you some ideas to start with, emphasizing a couple of current design themes. Of course, these are just a few. The whole idea of eclecticism is that there are an infinite number of choices, styles, and outcomes.

Here are some great combinations of styles that go together, sometimes naturally, and sometimes with a little pushing (but it's worth it!):

Asian is very stylish now, and one of the best things about it is that it has a philosophy behind it - the whole Zen concept of living life well, simply and beautifully. Asian mixes wonderfully with many styles and periods - sometimes this is obvious because these other styles stole a lot of their ideas from Asian art and design to begin with - but also because the best Asian style is elegant, deceptively simple and very graceful. It allows space, both literally and figuratively, for other styles and personal expressions. It uses a judicial amount of emptiness to emphasize the selections you make and the scenes that you create in your home.

Many elements from Asian to traditional to contemporary combine here beautifully.		Asian chairs and accessories, a contemporary table, and a lovely wall of art combine simply and perfectly.		An Asian sculpture, a primitive Asian bench and contemporary art look great together.

• Asian and Contemporary. The clean lines are what holds these styles together. The natural colors used generally in Asian styles can blend dramatically with both the monochromatic end of contemporary, and the use of brighter colors in accents and art.
  
  
• Asian and Antiques (and a little contemporary too). Beautiful lines just look good together, and simplicity and the complex mix well. Think of an intricately carved antique dark wood desk put into a room with classic Shoji screens of light rice paper and light woods and a stone floor, and add a contemporary brushed steel floor lamp and a classic Persian rug - this would be a very elegant and warmly accessible space.
  
  
• Asian and Arts and Crafts. The original designers of Arts and Crafts borrowed heavily from Japanese styles, so these styles form a natural synergy. A good combination would be more contemporary Asian and a mixture of materials, such as a lot of glass and stone, to counteract the heaviness of all the wood predominate in Arts and Crafts styles.
  
  
• Asian and sleek European. Again, the clean lines are what works well, but also the contrast between the inherent warmth of Asian and the coolness and sleekness of the harder-edged Euro-styles create a great counterpoint.
  
  
• Contemporary Asian and Antique Asian. A beautiful and natural mix of rougher, more primitive, more "country" styles and the sleekness of the most modern of big-city materials and styles. Very natural textures - rough hewn woods, bamboo, rice paper - mix well with steel, glass, and polished stone.

Nature is another current design trend. There's a lifestyle, almost spiritual, quality about this style also:

caring about the environment

          perhaps daydreaming about living a simpler life closer to the earth
          (or maybe even really doing it)

                     appreciating the beauty and lines of the natural world

that leads quite naturally to bringing nature into the home or office. There are many very tasteful ways to make your interior environment reflect nature's beauty, and to artfully use nature's elements in your design scheme, whatever it may be. Working with nature can be as simple as using stunning elements such as shells, fossils, or stones. Or dramatic black and white photographs of natural scenes or close-ups can lend an abstract elegance. Natural designs such as stylized leaves and branches can be incorporated. Use natural textures and materials such as stone, wood, leathers, natural fibers, sisal, grasscloth, bamboo, naturally finished metals, textured walls and more in these combinations:

Natural textures, colors and rock formations create a soothing bedroom.	Grass textures, striking plants, and large patterned fabrics bring nature to a basically traditional room.
Shell specimens and shell fabrics, plants and natural textures, and the view doesn't hurt!	Antler candelsticks, branches and natural motifs add richness to this space.

• Nature and Asian. The elegance of Asian is inspired by nature, and blends beautifully with a nature theme.
  
  
• Nature and Contemporary. Contemporary is warmed up with natural elements and styles.
  
  
• Nature and The Tropics. Natural elements blend effortlessly with tropical woods and rattans, shutters, breezy curtains, and all the beauty of tropical style.
  
  
• Nature and High Country. Country style starts with country life. Simplify and elevate country, use restraint and add natural elements and you've got a beautiful combination.
  
  
• Nature and Ethnic. Primitive and ethnic styles are close to the earth, and often use natural in motifs and as inspiration. So go further with it and add more natural themes for a rich, warm, inviting style.

The ideas here are just a start to give you springboard for your own brand of design. You don't have to stop here. Designing eclectically gives you all the freedom in the world to express yourself. You can add anything you like that works together - that looks good, complements other pieces, adds depth and beauty and the unexpected into your life and your home.

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