I’ve always held a firm belief that that pattern brings a liveliness and collected feeling to a space almost immediately. Referencing nature through a dark, moody, silk floral, or abstract art through the geometric lines of a textured jacquard emboldens a space and brings the mind to places beyond its four walls. While that’s true with a single, curated fabric selection, the feeling is amplified and electrified when pattern is layered and thoughtfully connected within a room. The more pattern, and the more unapologetically placed, the more impressive the statement. When executed well, the cohesiveness of the patterns comes together to create a unified space that is impactful, but never overwhelming. As in most cases, this approach doesn’t work everywhere. The more historical the architecture, the greater the ability for the influence of pattern play to permeate. But in the right space, there’s nothing like it.

A few guidelines I reference, loosely, can help facilitate the process - but as always, it’s truly one’s eye and love for pattern that makes a space sing.

1.

Maintain a unifying thread of color

I’m been so inspired by this room created by Maison Pierre Frey that I’m building a Quiet Decency inspired by it. Mixing patterns creates so much joy and energy, and I think the colors should reflect that; picking something daring and distinctive, you’ll never tire of it as its wholly yours. In this space, inky blues are mixed with bright yellows, deep greens, and through lines of black; each pattern plays upon the other in both theme and color relation. The curtains are hand-embroidered in a graphic line, creating an abstract seaside landscape, meant to conjure mist, waves, and mingling seagulls. Close by, the sofa is adorned in a luxuriously moody floral, with dark green leaves and black threaded accents. Related through nature, abstract and impressionist, complementary blues, and color matched yellows, they play off each other beautifully. Coupled with the black, geometric chair that is highlighting the black accents of the sofa, you have a space that feels entirely original and exciting, yet joyously livable.

2.

Explore scale and shape

In order for mixed prints to be comprehendible they have to vary in scale and shape. The intricacies and beauty of each print doesn’t register to the eye when everything is the same size - it’s overkill. Instead, I’ll mix a micro-floral grid with a large, fluid botanic so that each balances the other, and as a result, shines. In this beautiful collection of antique, hand-painted tiles, the variation of shape and scale, within a single color palette, come together to create a vivid landscape that marries individuality and cohesion.

3.

Mix media / texture

Another inspiring space, this time by Billy Cotton, follows my thoughts on mixing media and texture. Leaning into this variation, it cranks up the vivid contrasts of pattern mixing. Texture in a room, whether through wood, metal, shagreen or leather, plays a key role in creating a warm, layered environment. The mix of seagrass walls - which have plenty of color and texture variation on its own - with porcelain tile, silk fabrics, and bamboo chairs, make the space luxurious and original. Pattern can be added through fabrics, tiles, art, and raw materials - the texture of marble, for example, becomes its own pattern.

At the end of the day, however, I’ve always valued individuality more than any strict rule. Each space I walk into calls for it’s own innovation, inspiration, and feel. I keep these concepts in mind, but in the end, I always go with what sparks joy, creates excitement, and reminds me why I’m in the business of creating beautiful places to live. Mix the patterns you love, the colors you can’t stop daydreaming in, the textures you never tire of - and create a space all its own.