Mixing patterns and colors… It shouldn’t be scary.

Are you a scaredy-cat when it comes to mixing patterns?  Do you wonder how some designers and home decor bloggers seem to do it effortlessly, while if you give it a go it looks like your room was designed by the Ringling Brothers?  How about color?  Are you go big or go home kind of person or are you more of a beige is my favorite color person?   I love patterns and color. I’m not terribly brave about using mixing lots of patterns together (I’m in a support group for that) but I love them just the same.  What I’ve found is that there is usually an easy rule of thumb to follow, and as long as you know a few basics, you’re good to go…

Choose an inspiration piece. 
Have something you love?  Use it to pull color into the room.

I love this rug from Target’s Threshold Collection. The colors are great and it’s easy to add coordinating colors and patterns to the room once you have an inspiration piece to play off of.

Size Matters. 
Try varying the sizes of patterns.  Pick a color scheme and find coordinating items with small, medium and large sized patterns.  You don’t want matchy-matchy, but you do want it to all work together.

Pinterest

The large pattern on the throw, the medium size on the window treatments and small on the pillows.  The colors tie them together and the varied sizes keep them from being overwhelming to the eye.

Repeat.
Whether it is a color, a fabric, a shape or a finish, having an element that repeats throughout the room is a great way to tie everything together.  Here is a great example of just a few pops of bright color can pull the whole room together.

Pinterest

I think if this room didn’t have the pink that it would feel very bland and kind of cold.  The pink brings an element of fun to it.  Someday I will have a Mom Cave and I guarantee this shade of pink will be in there in some way!

Texture.
Texture is a big thing for me. I often have lots of things in the same color family, but just layer different textures and finishes.

I love greens and browns and whites.  Oh, and a little bit of sparkle.  I’m just drawn to this look.  All of the vibrant colors are fabulous and I love little pops of them, but at the end of the day, this subdued palette is my aesthetic.    When it comes to mixing and matching patterns and color, there are plenty of guidelines to help you out, but I think the most important is that something in it needs to speak to you.  It’s your home, your space… how do you want it to feel?

It’s Time for Springtime!

about Vivienne Wagner