When you think outside the box, and beyond basic paint color, you’ve got a whole new space to let creativity run free. Be it unexpected accessories, fun prints, quirky geometry and more, these pattern-heavy canvases prove that being playful is a serious kind of style.

Finding Balance

Carl Mattison Design

“I wanted people to walk into this bathroom and be amazed,” said Mattison. “When you open the door from the primary bedroom, you’ve got elements drawing your eye—
the pill-shaped marble behind the vanity, the matching large-format marble on the floor and the rich, walnut pieces tying everything together. It’s a balance of light and dark that makes you feel warm yet sophisticated.”

Q: How do you make patterns go together?
A: If one thing is heavy, another should be light. In this bathroom, the floor has enough white in it to balance the warmth of the walnut vanity. Each tile complements the other, and the purple tones connect the wood and
tile together.

Get The Look
Shower Wall: TileBar, Kenridge Ribbon
Vanity Wall: Marble Systems Calacatta Viola Pill
Countertop: Ikos Honed Quartz
Bathroom Floor: Marble Systems Calacatta
Mirrors: Robern
Light Fixtures: Rejuvenation

carlmattison.com

Organic and Airy

Gina Sims Designs

“This room was isolated from the kitchen, kind of like a tree house, so we wanted to play with that feeling by choosing a botanical paper and taking it all the way up,” said Sims. “We let the pattern be on the walls and kept the rug muted and used solids (with texture) on the windows and chairs. It feels playful while still being elevated.”

Q: Can I install wallpaper on the ceiling?
A: You should not try this yourself! An installation like this takes a skilled professional who knows how to estimate for ultra tall ceilings (and usually that means custom rolls of paper) and has the ability to use scaffolding.

Get The Look

Wallpaper: Hygge & West
Light Fixture: Stray Dog Designs, custom color
Window Treatment Fabric: Fabricut & Schumacher trim
Rug: Loloi Rugs
Table and Host Chairs: FourHands
Dining Chairs: Universal

ginasimsdesigns.com

Bold and Bejeweled

Whitney Durham Interiors

“This is both timeless and visually interesting, but if you look closely at the wallpaper you will notice it’s quirky and fun,” said Durham. “Some of the portraits of people have bunny ears and others have skull faces. I wanted the foyer to show we can have fun with design.”

Q: Where do I start?
A: Start with your favorite pattern and go from there! If you’re worried about making a mistake, start with pillows, upholstery or wallpaper before you mix in your hard selections like flooring, wall tile, etc. Have fun with it! You won’t know what you can and can’t live without until you try it and live with it for a bit.

Get the Look
Floor: Traditions in Tile and Stone
Paint Color: Polished Slate No. 713 by Benjamin Moore
Wallpaper: Le Grand Tour by Johnson Hartig for Schumacher
Chest of Drawers: Scott Antique Market

whitneydurhaminteriors.com

Collaboration of Color

Blessed Little Bungalow

“This sweet family was not afraid of color, but their beautiful new home felt a bit like a beige box,” said Amber Guyton, owner and principal designer. “Using pattern instantly makes a space feel more interesting. You can go monochromatic and fill a space with solids only, but pattern creates interest, emotion and curiosity. This goes a long way in any space.”

Q: What is the rule of thumb for styling with pattern?
A: When mixing patterns, identify a common thread of color to make them instant cousins. Also, think about using opposites. Pair florals with stripes, botanical with gingham and add in a few solids to ensure some
stability and functionality.

Get The Look
Wallpaper, Bedroom: Anthropologie
Upholstered Bed: Interior Define
Wallpaper, Bookcase: Milton & King Paint Color, Bookcase: Cape Verde by Sherwin-Williams
Coffee Table: Anthropologie
Pillows: Home Goods
Rug: Ruggable, Anthropologie

blessedlittlebungalow.com