Do You Live an Eclectic Life?

If, like me, you are not a fan of following rules or being put in boxes, you may already find yourself living an electric lifestyle. When I was younger, I thought one day I would do what all my friends did, have a particular style. Fifty years later, I found what it was all along!

My Home

As I look around the sitting room in my tiny 400-year-old cottage, I can see an antique bureau with colourful abstract books, some signed modern art prints sitting happily alongside a huge oil portrait I bought in my 20s. The leaded diamond windows (original to the cottage) are dressed with chic fabric and a multitude of mismatched cushions on the window seat.

The floor is covered in vintage rugs of rich vibrant reds, greens and creams, contrasting with the cool stone fireplace and mass of church candles. The rustic bookcase, brought from a charity shop, is bruised and battered, with many of my favourite authors including Joanne Harris, Jojo Moyes, John Steinbeck and, of course, William Shakespeare. :)

On top is an old carved piece of wood made into a lamp base and the most beautiful lamp which I made from a plain shade and covered it in some fabric I bought in The Victoria and Albert Museum, in London. I read once that you should never have anything in your home that isn’t useful or beautiful, and I love that philosophy. :)

Upstairs, my large open plan bedroom (the only room upstairs), has a huge brass bed with a block printed throw in raspberry, and pink candy striped sheets and pillowcases. Over the bed is huge unframed picture, painted in eye-catching blue and violet flowers. Old-fashioned pink roses from the garden, a handful of books and an old brass lantern sit on my bedside table.

My Clothes

A long clothes rail hangs in the corner with some of my favourite dresses, many bought over a decade ago. There are silk scarves, cashmere jumpers, mostly bought at local thrift stores. Long flowing skirts, pretty shirts and comfy loungewear. There are flip flops for summer, warm Ugg boots for winter… not much else as I prefer to walk barefoot whenever possible.

Although I like nice clothes, I prefer to mix new items with thrift shop finds, it is always a joy to find something I love for a fraction of the price! Nowadays, I prefer to spend my money on doing things, rather than having, though that doesn’t mean I want to dress cheaply, or my home to feel less cosy or loved.

My Garden

When I moved in to the cottage 18 months ago, the walled garden was an enormous project. So huge that I thought I would not be able to tackle it on my own. But I covered it all in tarpaulin, started in one corner and worked my way through.

Now I have a rose garden, a small vegetable patch and a mass of cottage garden flowers including lavender, peonies, daisies, delphiniums and lupins. There are gorgeous wicker chairs and big wicker baskets, all bought for a fraction of the price at thrift shops, car boots or auctions.

At the top, by the huge stone wall, I am installing a fire pit surrounded by rustic benches and classic deck chairs, mixed with modern day colourful rugs and solar lights. I have to admit it has been a lot of hard work, but I have spent very little and am extremely proud of myself. The fact that I did it on a tight budget adds to my delight. :).

Style

I spent so much of my life expecting to have a particular style. I didn’t really mind if I was a hippy, smart, classic… I just wanted to get a style, any sort of style, like everyone else seemed to. Now I am so pleased I live this eclectic lifestyle. No matching dinner plates, I prefer old china plates I pick up at car boots of thrift shops, old furniture, a rustic garden. It suits who I am.

Everyone who comes to my cottage says how lovely it feels… warm, cosy and charming. However, you could look at my home and my lifestyle and think nothing matches, and in a way you would be right. But it does match me, and I think that is the most important thing. :)

Join the Conversation

Do you live an eclectic lifestyle? Has your style changed over the decades? How would you describe your style?