Style Chasing: Boho

Show me the light...

My style tends to change just like my moods.  Also like my moods, it is greatly affected by the weather.  I find myself cycling back through the same types of decor and fashion trends every year.  In fact, I almost have it down to an art.  At any given time, you can check my catchall closet and find another three seasons worth of decor in there.  
Lately, it has been hovering around the mid-60's, low 70's in Arkansas and I have been loving the warm weather.  Our winter was pretty mild this year, so I wondered if I'd have the same yearning for warm weather as I generally have in the past.  Yes!  Even though I didn't see a single snowflake in 2015-2016, I still have that familiar desire for sun-kissed warmth and surrounding myself with bright colors (and LOTS of plants).  


It usually happens in mid-February that I start craving mango scented wax melts and pineapple decor, but I have to admit that it did happen a little earlier this year (we celebrated Christmas barefoot in 65 degree weather).  So, while I like a cozy and warm tone for my house during the winter months, I'm always delighted to de-clutter everything and make it light and bright for the warmer months.  My go-to design aesthetic for spring is usually bohemian in nature.  
What exactly is Bohemian?  There seems to be a bit of confusion surrounding the aesthetic and the word in general.  I've seen (and heard) throes of people that use the term incorrectly, so I thought we could explore a bit of Bohemian design.  

Lovely Indeed

Bohemian vs. Eclectic

These two terms are mostly interchangeable.  Many people, including designers, will use the terms as such with respect to the particular design aesthetic of their project.  Both terms are used to explain the relationship of dissimilar objects that unify a particular space when used as a visual grouping.  However, Bohemian style generally tends to encompass a certain mix of eastern and western culture with key patterns and artifacts being present.  These artifacts often include the presence of mandalas, Moroccan/Persian rugs, Buddhist statues/figures, rattan furniture, and elements that heavily focus on texture.  In short, many Bohemian spaces have obvious elements of Eastern religion, but it's not necessarily a prerequisite to achieve the style.  Jewel-toned color palettes are a basic staple for textiles, with heavy metallic accents.  Also, a Bohemian space is interactive.  The textures, smells, and sounds echoed by its elements are essential for making guests feel like they are a part of the environment.  From their supple textiles to the delicate tinkle of Indian bell chimes, Boho homes have a life of their own, embracing each guest like an old friend.  
The term eclectic can be used to describe Bohemian spaces.  The term itself simply means "derived from various sources; diverse".  But, while all Bohemian spaces can be described as eclectic, not all eclectic styles are Bohemian.  For example: a midcentury home may feature a blend of both modern and industrial styles.  Thus, the home is eclectic, but not Bohemian.  It is eclectic because it encompasses more than one featured design style, however neither of those styles showcase typical Bohemian items.  
Bohemian spaces belong to Bohemians.  Eclectic spaces can belong to anyone.  Let's look more into that: 


Am I a Bohemian?  


Style should be reflective of every personality.  Thus, every space will have some eclecticism to it, but what makes a true blue Bohemian?  I've done some digging and researching and here is a paraphrase of the origins of Boho.  

Bohemian Like You...or Me

The term 'bohemian' as we know it today originated in Europe.  It was commonly used by the French to describe new residents that were of gypsy origin (though they were speculated to have arrived from the area of Bohemia in Europe).  The people that the French were describing were actually likely Romani Gypsies, which is where we get much of the associated style influence today.   Bohemians arrived later in the American scene around the middle 1800's.  Still believed to be descendants of Bohemia, they brought with them an affinity for non-traditional lifestyles and many found themselves in the area of journalism.  With a recognizable aesthetic, the term Bohemian grew to encompass those with similar interests and fashion sense.  Over the next 100+ years, we tweaked the phrase to commonly denote artists, musicians, poets, academics, off-beats, lovers, eccentrics, philosophers, and every other sector of the community that strays from cultural norms in dress, thought, taste, and appreciation.  
Though once only prevalent in larger cities, such as NYC, you can now find a the new face of the Bohemian lifestyle in every corner of the United States (and the rest of the world for that matter).  A more modern idea of a Bohemian is this second entry of the Online Oxford English Dictionary: 

  "A person who has informal and unconventional social habits, especially an artist or writer: 'the young bohemians with their art galleries and sushi bars'"

But never fear, even if you don't have Romani gypsy roots, you can still consider yourself a Bohemian and be in good company doing so.  Today's Bohemian is often a staple at organic coffee shops, headshops, outdoor indie concerts, in the corner of a used book shop, having a picnic in a city park, and basically anywhere else humans are wont to be found.  More on that later.  



Styles and Influences

Though the root of Boho design is basically universal, the implementation of it may differ from country to country.  Many large American companies have built their basis on Bohemian lifestyle and style.  You can see these ideas featured in ad campaigns by heavy hitters like Pier One, Free People, Urban Outfitters, and the smaller but significant Earthbound Trading Company.  Brandishing a free spirited vibe and appealing to the inner nomad in the average person, these companies have cornered the market with trends such as hair feathers, henna tattoos, Buddha statues, and eastern textile patterns.  
Below are some of the most easily recognized cornerstones of modern Bohemian interior decor: 

Incense and candles are a staple of any self-respecting Bohemian.
 Bonus points for adding the geodes AND the half moon dish!  

Art that says something.  Moreover, art that brandishes a message of
peace and acceptance.  Very Zen.  Much Boho.  

Eastern Religious Influence.  Above is a wall decal featuring a Hamsa Hand or just a

Hamsa, as it is often called.  You'll often find universal symbols like this in a boho space.

Common symbols are OMs, Buddhas, Hamsas, Yin and Yang, Sun/Moon, and various

 Hindu gods/goddesses.

Saltstone, Limestone, Gemstones, Geodes, anything  natural
and beautiful adds a fresh twist to table decor.  Especially for
those that travel, this can be a segue into an amazing
conversation about how and where you acquired the piece.  

Vinyl, yo!  Ok, so maybe this isn't necessarily a Bohemian feature, but it is
guranteed to up the cool factor of anybody's home and make you instantly
interesting...just make sure you have some rad jams to spin! 

Plants, plants, plants!  What could be more natural than surrounding yourself with
the beauty of the great outdoors?!  Plants are a wonderful way to add a cozy vibe
to a Boho space while cleansing the air at the same time.  Plus, they serve as decor
all by themselves and groupings of plants are most definitely a focal point. 

Floor cushions, pillows, and poufs.  The idea of a Boho room is to be inviting. Most
spaces that ascribe to this aesthetic will have some form of alternative seating.
Luxurious textures in floor cushions also give a space an exotic feel.  

  

Ambient lighting.   The best Bohemian spaces, in my opinion, have amazing, and
unusual light sources.  Along with candles and  unique lamps, you'll often find 'fairy
lights' (which are just a smaller, more flicker-y string light) draped over bed
canopies, hung from doorways, and woven along mantel tops.  Seeing rooms
illuminated in different ways like this really adds a different and more casual
feel to the space.  

Mixed colors and textures galore!  I find that many of these designs are based on
traditional Indian/Persian fabrics.  Think: Morocco, Greece, India.  Also, there's
no limit to the amount of textures and patterns that are found in Boho abodes.  

Give me BOHO NOW!

And, now that you're probably itching to add some Boho to your current space after seeing all of these beautiful vignettes, here are some of my favorite finds from across the Interwebs!  Just click on the blue link below each picture to purchase!

This beautiful wall hanging from Urban Outfitters.

This Moroccan lantern set!  Give me this now.

This darling woven bench seat from Earthbound
Trading Company.  I could just live in their store.

Amazing color combos in this gorgeous duvet set! 

Nothing punctuates a Boho space quite like a
dreamcatcher.

 

And, of course, a Buddha. 

While these features are generally pretty common in Bohemian spaces, they are certainly not limited to only those spaces nor are those spaces necessarily Bohemian in nature just because a few of the elements are present.  Perhaps more importantly than outward style is the personal nature of a Bohemian.  If someone embodies a free-spirit and an open mind, that's the majority of Bohemianism in a nutshell. And, like the spaces they inhabit, Bohemian personal style is full of exciting characteristics--- a blog post I'd love to feature soon!!!  So, I'm going to go ahead and put on my favorite Dave Matthews album (on vinyl, duh), light some candles, and sew some new throw pillows.  I hope this article helped you get into the mood for warm weather and inspired you to take some risks in your own space!

xo, Karee

Article Sources: 

Bohemianism in Culture

Bohemian Modern Definition

Other sources are hyperlinked in text.

This is not a sponsored post; all opinions expressed are my own.  I did not receive any promotional items or monetary compensation in exchange for my reviews.