Maximalist’s Dream from the Hectic Eclectic

The Hectic Eclectic

As a DIY decorator, blogger and influencer with well over a hundred thousand Instagram followers amassed over the last couple of years since she began, it’s fair to say that Brandi Love of the Hectic Eclectic has an effortless flair for interior design. Located in a little country town south of Toowoomba in Queensland where she’s raising her three kids, Rosie the cat and four chooks, in between the household mayhem, Brandi creates stunning spaces brimming with so much colour and character that every inch of her home is a visual feast.

Boho eclectic maximalist

A self-described boho eclectic maximalist, while her interior-design style may seem haphazardly throw together at random, Brandi’s gorgeous rooms are very much curated and carefully constructed. There’s method in her madness.

“I like to blend styles and bend the rules when it comes to decorating,” says Brandi. “I love colour and patterns and seeing how I can bring them all together.”

Eclectic combinations

Pairing vintage finds with some modern touches, home-crafted feature pieces and every colour of the rainbow, Brandi has a talent for making every space look incredible cohesive, while teeming with a joie de vivre that’s in alignment with her happy disposition as a mum of three littlies.

“I start with the floor,” she explains. “If I put a rug down, I will try and implement the colours in the rug into the rest of the room. I’ll always keep a block colour scheme (the mixing of two shades that are opposite on the colour wheel) in mind when mixing patterns as a resting point and also to help break up the clash of patterns. If I can add a common texture to my colour block, even better!”

A visual feast

“I always have new projects on the go so my favourite rooms are ever changing. At the moment my favourite project is the scrap wool wall hanging in my daughter’s room. We made it out of left over wool and a few balls of clearance wool. Total spent: $15.”

Finding design inspiration in so many places, Brandi looks to Pinterest for new ideas and among her favourite Instagram accounts are Jen from @blissfully_eclectic and Christin from @earthlyurbaninteriors, both of which are a colour explosion.

“Don’t be afraid to embrace colour,” Brandi says, even though it may go against everything you’ve ever learnt about interior design. “Start small and introduce complimenting colours and soon you’ll get a feel for what you like.”

Decked out

With the weather warming up and the festive-entertaining season on the horizon, Brandi recently gave her balcony a makeover. Set beneath a pergola, the 3.2-metre Early Settler Reclaimed Teak table provides the perfect place for alfresco dining and entertaining friends backdropped by plenty of lush deck plants and twinkling festoon lights overhead.

“I can’t wait to entertain out here,” says Brandi. “My new outdoor table is just so beautiful, I want to cry!” Coupled with the Zarli outdoor chairs in black, this beautiful space will no doubt set the scene for long lazy brunches and balmy barbecues for many years to come.

The Hectic Eclectic Shop

Aspiring to help people create homes full of personality and creativity that they love, Brandi recently launched an online homewares store called The Hectic Eclectic Shop with a friend, selling colourful homewares and inspiring décor to decorate your home.

Quick quiz …

(Images courtesy of @the.hectic.eclectic)