But a single quirky piece in a room makes a huge difference. It sticks in our mind and we never forget it. I define “quirky” as different, unexpected, off-beat, out-of-the-box and memorable. Quirkiness gives a room personality.

For example, who could forget this striped ceiling? Following are more examples of quirkiness that will str-r-r-e-e-etch the imagination so that we, the Design Junkie Community, can express our wonderful weirdness

 Random color is quirky

Over sized objects are quirky

Rick Baye

Giant Branch Canopy

Over sized art is boldly quirky

WL Interiors

Wild wall color is startlingly quirky

Michael Penney

A unique chair is energetically quirky

Russell Groves

Quirky salvaged architectural pieces are unforgettable

Brown Cranna / Douglas Callaway

oliveandlove.com

Flea market furniture adds quirky personality

….even a small inexpensive chair

An unusual contemporary light fixture adds quirkiness

Christine Hanlon

Unique decorative painting is delightfully quirky

Animal prints are a great place to start

for those who are shy about stepping out…

Lisa Sherry

Go quirky at Restoration Hardware

It’s like a flea market!

1890 Iron Stag Head and Antlers approx. $289

Dry Dock Pendant $1695

Deconstructed Wing Chair $1995

(notice the back is intentionally exposed as if it’s unfinished)

Watchmaker’s Task Table Lamp $459

I hope this blog post jogged your creative mind. I need to stretch my quirkiness muscles too so….thank you! my dear Design Junkies, for prompting me to explore more fun ways to create eye candy so I can share them with you.

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There are three tricks to creating the illusion of space. One is to use a limited palette. There’s lots of white in this place, grounded by accents of black with shades of taupe and sepia to soften the look. ?Even the floor is painted white. No other colors are inserted to distract the eye.

The second is to arrange furniture so as to create mini rooms. Here you see the seating area on the right, and the sleeping area on the left defined by a custom screen and daybed covered in matching “toile” fabric that is light and airy.

The third is to do a rigorous purge of your possessions. Paring down to the minimum. This process is hard to do and not for the collector. But the owner, designer Ellen O’Neill, ?chose the classy location ?(in the last gated private square in Manhattan) over her “stuff.” The work/office area below blends beautifully in style and feeling. Just enough space to get something done, but not a whole lot of storage. If you love the black wire basket, you can find a similar one at Wisteria.

Notice how carefully the designer edits her choices. The antique farm table and the large leaning mirror keep the area open. The display of framed art and photographs is tasteful and interesting, but not a lot of color. This is a good thing. It stays within the chosen palette.

Below is Ingo Maurer’s Zettel’z 5 Chandelier which supposedly works as a bulletin board. It’s crazy and funky ?and has gotten a lot of attention in the design world. Its spidery openness ?fills the high ceilinged space without being too blocking or heavy.

And finally, a lovely little black and white vignette. An antique daguerrotype setter’s station serves as a bar.

Photographs courtesy of House Beautiful July/August 2010