Mixing Patterns and Color

Talented designer mentor Kati Curtis, principal of Nirmada, educates on the tricks of mixing patterns and color.

After attending What’s New What’s Next here in New York City last week, I was happy to see that pattern, craft, and color are trends that are here to stay. Minimalistic interiors might look great in magazines, but people seem to want comfort and meaning in their homes – especially now. I find that many of our clients are afraid of exploring what they really crave in regards to color because they’re afraid they’ll “get it wrong”. The same goes for pattern. Many people are afraid of their spaces looking to “busy” or don’t understand how different patterns can be combined successfully to create harmony in a space.

I always encourage our clients to explore not only color’s emotional impact on their environment, but what colors and patterns have meaning for them. Once you understand some simple rules of color and pattern, you can easily gain the confidence to pull something beautiful and meaningful together in your own space.

a dining room Nirmada recently designed mixes patterns and colors beautifully

The key is BALANCE

1.    Complimentary color schemes are always pleasing to the eye, but make sure saturated colors are slightly muted so your scheme is not too overwhelming. “Complimentary” means opposite on the color wheel. In this Master Bedroom we designed, you can see how the Designers Guild teal flocked wallpaper compliments the orange-toned wood furniture from Grange and the Client’s own heirloom carpet.

2.    Mix masculine and feminine for balance. Masculine elements like dark wood paneling and animal prints can be mixed with feminine patterns and colors to create a balanced room. This Home Office shows how masculine elements like a pony skin Corbusier Lounge chair from Cassina can be balanced by pattern and color as the pink rug from Anthropologie softens the look.

3.    When selecting textiles for a room, use a solid fabric for major elements (the sofa, or headboard), and use pattern on smaller pieces to add interest (side chairs) and to tie all of the colors together. The Living Room below is anchored with a sofa upholstered in a solid purple velvet from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams and is accented with a side chair upholstered in an Osborne and Little fabric, and pull up chairs in paisley from Anthropologie.  A patterned antique rug brings everything together.

4.    There are no rules when it comes to furniture styles. When selecting furniture; consider scale, color, finish, and detail rather than whether it’s all mid-century or Louis the 15^th.  Eames stools from Herman Miller compliment French side chairs, an antique wing chair upholstered in a graffiti-print fabric from Victoria Keen, and is topped off with an Asian screen from the Clients’ travels.

5.    Don’t be afraid to have some fun and express your style. These “faux” animal heads mounted above a fireplace add color, pattern, and humor to the space. Best of all, no animals were harmed!

6.    Despite all of these “rules”, don’t try to be too “matchy-matchy”. What are the chances a rug you picked up in Istanbul is going to match your wall hanging from Bali? A truly curated space is one that is uniquely crafted over time. A professional designer with a knowledge of sources and materials can help you pull a home together that looks like it took a lifetime to design, and most importantly, reflects your own personal style.

Nirmada, author of this feature, is a Interior Design firm in New York City. Kati would love to talk to you about designing a space expressly for you.

You can also find a full list of all our global mentors [ who are top professional interior designers ] on our Mentors Page.