The Mother of ‘Eclectic’ Interior Design (2024)

Style|The Mother of ‘Eclectic’ Interior Design

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/24/style/kelly-wearstler-interior-design.html

You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load.

The Mother of ‘Eclectic’ Interior Design (1)

Skip to contentSkip to site index

OK, she didn’t invent it, and she doesn’t like the word “eclectic.” But after almost 30 years in business, the designer Kelly Wearstler has remained a celebrity in an often faceless field.

The interior designer Kelly Wearstler at home in Beverly Hills, Calif. Ms. Wearstler’s sixth book will be published this month, and she has become one of the world’s most famous interior designers, but has a style that can be hard to define.Credit...Jennelle Fong for The New York Times; 2023 Larry Zox/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York (painting)

Supported by

SKIP ADVERTIsem*nT

The Mother of ‘Eclectic’ Interior Design (2)

By Jessica Testa

Reporting from Los Angeles

If you had suddenly been blindfolded and transported to Dahlia, a co*cktail lounge that opened in May at the Downtown Proper hotel in Los Angeles, you might have asked yourself: Where in the world am I?

The high walls are painted dusty rose, and the booth cushions are upholstered in velvety brown, like the desert floor after rain. Artworks in a terra-cotta palette cover the walls, including a bulbous wicker sculpture that looked somewhat suggestive, like one of Georgia O’Keeffe’s abstract flowers.

There was a sweating glass bottle of Mexican mineral water on a table, along with a small plate of lime wedges so fat and juicy that they seemed otherworldly.

Had you been dropped into a boutique hotel bar in San Miguel de Allende? Sedona? Santa Fe?

The answer might not have become any clearer when Kelly Wearstler, the woman who designed the bar and the hotel, walked through the stained-glass doors. She was dressed in oversize denim from head to the pointed toes of her leather Loewe ankle boots, which had a built-in denim cuff folded over the shaft. When she spoke, it was with a slight Southern twang.

“Oh, can you still hear the accent?” asked Ms. Wearstler, 55, who was born and raised in South Carolina before moving to Massachusetts for college.

Not long after she graduated, she moved to Los Angeles, where she has lived for 30 years. Jobs as a waitress and onetime Playboy model aside, she has spent most of that time designing decadent homes, high-end hotels and idiosyncratic objects to decorate them, like marble sofas, chunky credenzas and lamps covered in spore-like spheres.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit andlog intoyour Times account, orsubscribefor all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber?Log in.

Want all of The Times?Subscribe.

Advertisem*nt

SKIP ADVERTIsem*nT

The Mother of ‘Eclectic’ Interior Design (2024)

FAQs

What is the origin of eclectic interior design? ›

The history of eclectic decor style

The idea transitioned into architecture from the 19th century with the Victorian-era obsession with global fashions. Rather than sticking to neo-classical or Gothic revival, many architects of this era selected elements from a variety of styles to create a brand new look.

Is Kelly Wearstler still married? ›

Personal life. Wearstler and her husband, Brad Korzen, married in 2002 and have three sons. The family has remodeled and sold a number of houses in Southern California, including the former Beverly Hills estate of film producer Albert Broccoli, which they moved into and renovated in 2007.

Why is Kelly Wearstler famous? ›

Kelly Wearstler is well-known for her maximalist interior design style, which employs big pieces as focal points to create a buzzy atmosphere without being overly cluttered. She believes in design as storytelling and describes it as “a sort of falling in love over and over again”.

How much does Kelly Wearstler charge? ›

Kelly Wearstler is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Kelly Wearstler for your event is $50,000 - $100,000.

Who popularized eclectic interior design? ›

William Carroll Pahlmann (December 12, 1900 – November 6, 1987) was a New York-based, mid-twentieth-century interior designer who popularized the eclectic style of design.

Who is the founder of eclecticism? ›

In modern philosophy, Victor Cousin was the founder of modern Eclecticism.

What does Kelly Wearstler eat in a day? ›

According to Racked, in Bon Appetit's January issue, the designer reveals she starts her day with a 5:30 AM session at Barry's Bootcamp and then has nothing but juice (and maybe some coffee) until dinner time. “Besides almonds or granola, I don't eat a lot during the day -- juicing is what gives me energy.”

What style is Kelly Wearstler? ›

A multi-layered, stimulating sensory experience is at the center of Wearstler's design approach. Through an exploration of materiality, color, forms and an intuitive juxtaposition of contemporary and vintage, architectural and organic, graphic and instinctual, she curates a wealth of experiences into every space.

Where does Kelly Wearstler live now? ›

Who is the No 1 interior designer in the world? ›

1. Kelly Wearstler: Renowned for her bold and eclectic designs, Kelly Wearstler is a trailblazer in the world of interior design. Her work often features a mix of vibrant colors, unique textures, and luxurious elements, creating spaces that are both opulent and inviting.

Who is the mother of interior design? ›

Candace Wheeler: The Mother of American Interior Design. Candace Wheeler, designer and reformer. Metropolitan Museum of Art: Candace Wheeler (1827–1923).

Who was Kourtney Kardashians interior designer? ›

The reality star and her celebrity designer, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, reveal some of her favorite decor pieces—and where to find them for yourself.

What hotel did Kelly Wearstler design? ›

DESIGNED BY KELLY WEARSTLER, SANTA MONICA PROPER HOTEL IS A BEACHSIDE DESTINATION WITH A SOPHISTICATED SENSIBILITY. THE CLIMATE, HISTORY AND ICONOGRAPHY OF THE CITY IS THE INSPIRATION FOR THE IDENTITY OF THE PROPERTY AND ITS INHERENT STORYTELLING.

What do interior designers usually charge? ›

On average you can expect to pay $100 to $200 per hour, typically totaling around $5,200 in design fees, not including the cost of furniture. Understanding the different levels of service that interior designers offer can help you determine if hiring one is the right choice for your project.

How do I contact Kelly Wearstler? ›

If there is a problem with your order, please email us at concierge@kellywearstler.com. If you receive a damaged, defective or incorrect item, we will work with you to make things right.

How did eclecticism begin? ›

The world eclecticism actually comes from the Greek word “eklektikos.” The word was commonly used in philosophy and encouraged picking the best doctrines from multiple schools of thought, then combining them to create a completely unique school of thought, specific to the person choosing the doctrines.

What is eclectic interior design concept? ›

Eclectic interior design is a style that elegantly incorporates aspects from several design styles into a single space. It has a casual combination of furnishings and design that draws from a wide range of influences.

What is the background of eclectic approach? ›

Eclectic approach is a method of language education that combines various approaches and methodologies to teach language depending on the aims of the lesson and the abilities of the learners. Different teaching methods are borrowed and adapted to suit the requirement of the learners.

What is the origin of the word eclectic? ›

Eclectic comes from the Greek eklektikos (meaning "selective"), from the verb eklegein, "to select." Eclectic was originally applied to ancient philosophers who were not committed to any single system of philosophy but instead selected whichever doctrines pleased them from every school of thought.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Nathanael Baumbach

Last Updated:

Views: 6351

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (55 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nathanael Baumbach

Birthday: 1998-12-02

Address: Apt. 829 751 Glover View, West Orlando, IN 22436

Phone: +901025288581

Job: Internal IT Coordinator

Hobby: Gunsmithing, Motor sports, Flying, Skiing, Hooping, Lego building, Ice skating

Introduction: My name is Nathanael Baumbach, I am a fantastic, nice, victorious, brave, healthy, cute, glorious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.