Jeni’s Design Diary

When you think of whimsical, what do you think of? My first reaction is fanciful: fairies, wings, shimmer, iridescent materials & surfaces, very saturated colors. A while ago I was told that my house is whimsical. That word had never come to mind while thinking about this house. After mulling over that thought, I do hope that it is! I would love for people to feel like they’re in a special (maybe a bit magical) place when they visit.

To effectively plan that whimsical place I need to have an understanding of how whimsy and interior design relate. So my question is, what is whimsical design? In my quick but not thorough search, it appears that many eclectic designs are also described as whimsical. Mainly the term whimsical has been used to describe the decor, not a design style.

First, let’s define both terms. According to Marriam-Webster, whimsical is defined as: full of, actuated by, or exhibiting whims; resulting from or characterized by whim or caprice; especially: lightly fanciful (whimsical decorations); subject to erratic behavior or unpredictable change. Their definition for eclectic is: selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles; composed of elements drawn from various sources.

Using the above definitions we can say that whimsical design is being unpredictable, characterized by surprises to the visitor; while eclectic design is well edited spaces that combine several styles. There are eclectic designs that are whimsical, and also designs that are whimsical but not eclectic.

To plan a whimsically designed space, keep its definition in mind. It’s to present the unexpected.