"Furnishings in an eclectic s style are drawn from many sources. Ideally, only the best and truest are taken from each source and combined into a satisfying whole. As American families are more traveled, more knowledgeable, and more sophisticated in a style sense than in the past, eclecticism is a natural out- growth. The days of buying an all-of-a-kind "suite" of furniture are past; this is an era of mixing styles, periods, materials."

"Our present eclecticism does not, however, reflect an interest in mere acquisition of oddments and fragments of styles. There is a genuine design, particularly among the young, to acquire furniture and accessories to express their individuality."

"In buying furniture, today's younger homemakers want more than a style label; they want an understanding of antecedents."

"It follows that while there is freedom to choose the best, there is also inherent danger in eclecticism. It must be carefully controlled to be successful, or it will result in a confusion of miscellany. Control can be accomplished by the wise use of color, arrangement, and background. Singly and together, these decorating elements can unify seemingly unrelated furnishings in a harmonious whole. A play of rich color against neutralizing white can be the catalyst, as in the interesting room pictured (above)."

XX,

Jamie