Decorating Guides
Pattern Primer: How to Pair Different Prints
From demure florals to fearless camouflage, learn to mix patterns without making a mishmash
I reupholstered my dining room chairs in a fun floral a few weeks ago. I knew what color I wanted (I'm into teal right now), but picking out the pattern was brutal. I have an open living space, so my selection needed to pair well with the stripes, florals and chevrons in my living room. I went back and forth on several patterns; in the end I decided to just match the colors, not the prints — doing both was just too much to handle.
At one time or another, we've all come across a similar pattern dilemma: What goes well with my favorite plaid armchair? Will my new chevron ottoman work with my damask bedding? Can I use polka dots, animal prints and florals in my child's bedroom?
Finding the right balance is tough, but this pattern primer will give you all the need-to-know information about your favorite prints. Two designers, Suzanne Tucker, cofounder and principal designer at Tucker & Marks, and Abbe Fenimore, principal designer at Studio Ten 25, share their expert insights on print personalities, pairings and interesting new decorating techniques.
At one time or another, we've all come across a similar pattern dilemma: What goes well with my favorite plaid armchair? Will my new chevron ottoman work with my damask bedding? Can I use polka dots, animal prints and florals in my child's bedroom?
Finding the right balance is tough, but this pattern primer will give you all the need-to-know information about your favorite prints. Two designers, Suzanne Tucker, cofounder and principal designer at Tucker & Marks, and Abbe Fenimore, principal designer at Studio Ten 25, share their expert insights on print personalities, pairings and interesting new decorating techniques.
Floral
Characteristics: Romantic, timeless, light and airy.
Where to use it: Everywhere! Wallpaper, draperies, bedding, pillows and upholstery.
Pairs well with: A stripe that pulls out a less-obvious color in the floral pattern — that way the room will look less “decorated.”
Pulling it off: “Center a large-scale floral pattern on smaller pieces for a wonderful effect,” Tucker says.
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Characteristics: Romantic, timeless, light and airy.
Where to use it: Everywhere! Wallpaper, draperies, bedding, pillows and upholstery.
Pairs well with: A stripe that pulls out a less-obvious color in the floral pattern — that way the room will look less “decorated.”
Pulling it off: “Center a large-scale floral pattern on smaller pieces for a wonderful effect,” Tucker says.
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Ikat
Characteristics: Global, eclectic, exotic, earthy, adventurous, handmade looking.
Where to use it: Pillows, dining chair cushions, curtains.
Pairs well with: Stripes, tone-on-tone graphics and solid silks, Fenimore says.
Pulling it off: “Ikats make for a great surprise lining on a more traditional drapery treatment, or as one side of portieres as you pass through,” Tucker says.
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Characteristics: Global, eclectic, exotic, earthy, adventurous, handmade looking.
Where to use it: Pillows, dining chair cushions, curtains.
Pairs well with: Stripes, tone-on-tone graphics and solid silks, Fenimore says.
Pulling it off: “Ikats make for a great surprise lining on a more traditional drapery treatment, or as one side of portieres as you pass through,” Tucker says.
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Paisley
Characteristics: A true chameleon. Energetic, retro, daring, bohemian, but also warm and cozy.
Where to use it: Curtains, curtain linings, walls and upholstery
Pairs well with: Herringbone.
Pulling it off: “Use large scale for a bold and playful look,” Tucker says. “Keep your paisleys tonal for a more transitional look.”
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Characteristics: A true chameleon. Energetic, retro, daring, bohemian, but also warm and cozy.
Where to use it: Curtains, curtain linings, walls and upholstery
Pairs well with: Herringbone.
Pulling it off: “Use large scale for a bold and playful look,” Tucker says. “Keep your paisleys tonal for a more transitional look.”
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Animal
Characteristics: Eclectic, sassy, fearless, vibrant, glamorous.
Where to use it: Rugs, pillows, bedding, wallpaper, drawer liners and artwork.
Pairs well with: Shimmery velvets and nubby linens, Fenimore says.
Pulling it off: “There is a very fine line between chic and sleazy, so buy the best — it needs to be top quality,” Tucker says.
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Characteristics: Eclectic, sassy, fearless, vibrant, glamorous.
Where to use it: Rugs, pillows, bedding, wallpaper, drawer liners and artwork.
Pairs well with: Shimmery velvets and nubby linens, Fenimore says.
Pulling it off: “There is a very fine line between chic and sleazy, so buy the best — it needs to be top quality,” Tucker says.
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Polka Dot
Characteristics: Fun, happy, outgoing and playful.
Where to use it: Rugs, pillows and accent pieces — on a small or large scale.
Pairs well with: Similarly colored stripes and plain colors, as long as they don't compete.
Pulling it off: "Steer clear of giant polka dots, or you'll look like a game of Twister," Tucker says.
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Characteristics: Fun, happy, outgoing and playful.
Where to use it: Rugs, pillows and accent pieces — on a small or large scale.
Pairs well with: Similarly colored stripes and plain colors, as long as they don't compete.
Pulling it off: "Steer clear of giant polka dots, or you'll look like a game of Twister," Tucker says.
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Plaid
Characteristics: Buttoned-up conservative and classic; French, English and Scottish feel.
Where to use it: Upholstery pieces and headboards with straight lines; silk curtains when paired with vibrant colors.
Pairs well with: Similarly colored florals and solid colors.
Pulling it off: "Pay attention to matching the pattern exactly — nothing looks worse than a badly sewn or mismatched plaid," Tucker says.
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Characteristics: Buttoned-up conservative and classic; French, English and Scottish feel.
Where to use it: Upholstery pieces and headboards with straight lines; silk curtains when paired with vibrant colors.
Pairs well with: Similarly colored florals and solid colors.
Pulling it off: "Pay attention to matching the pattern exactly — nothing looks worse than a badly sewn or mismatched plaid," Tucker says.
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Quatrefoil
Characteristics: Tailored, formal, elegant, French.
Where to use it: Upholstery on large pieces, like sofas and chairs; stencil patterns; etched glass; iron gates.
Pairs well with: Solids, stripes and chevrons, but not herringbone, Tucker says.
Pulling it off: For a look that's less formal, more eclectic and edgier, look for quatrefoil prints that incorporate at least three colors, Fenimore says.
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Characteristics: Tailored, formal, elegant, French.
Where to use it: Upholstery on large pieces, like sofas and chairs; stencil patterns; etched glass; iron gates.
Pairs well with: Solids, stripes and chevrons, but not herringbone, Tucker says.
Pulling it off: For a look that's less formal, more eclectic and edgier, look for quatrefoil prints that incorporate at least three colors, Fenimore says.
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Damask
Characteristics: Demure, subdued, versatile, traditional.
Where to use it: Metallic wallpaper and on flooring and draperies.
Pairs well with: Florals, stripes, solids and plaids — everything except another damask or pattern with the same scale.
Pulling it off: “A true woven damask can be used on the reverse as well, with subtle differences in coloration,” Tucker says.
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Characteristics: Demure, subdued, versatile, traditional.
Where to use it: Metallic wallpaper and on flooring and draperies.
Pairs well with: Florals, stripes, solids and plaids — everything except another damask or pattern with the same scale.
Pulling it off: “A true woven damask can be used on the reverse as well, with subtle differences in coloration,” Tucker says.
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Camouflage
Characteristics: Adventurous, fearless, natural, forgiving, organic.
Where to use it: Small accents, such as upholstered ottomans, beanbag chairs and dog beds (great for hiding all that hair).
Pairs well with: Solids, stripes, plaids and chevrons.
Pulling it off: "Treat camouflage as a textural solid," Tucker says. "Keep the color palette neutral and sophisticated."
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Characteristics: Adventurous, fearless, natural, forgiving, organic.
Where to use it: Small accents, such as upholstered ottomans, beanbag chairs and dog beds (great for hiding all that hair).
Pairs well with: Solids, stripes, plaids and chevrons.
Pulling it off: "Treat camouflage as a textural solid," Tucker says. "Keep the color palette neutral and sophisticated."
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Characteristics: Versatile, on trend, bold yet relaxing.
Where to use it: In small doses, such as on vases, curtains or pillows. Try a tile or painted accent wall to make a statement.
Pairs well with: Almost any other print, Tucker says. The trick: Keep the color palette consistent and balance the scale — one large and bold pattern, another small and subtle.
Pulling it off: To avoid a DIY look, mix it with luxurious velvets, Fenimore suggests. It also pairs well with metallics and jewel tones, especially when used as artwork.
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