June 2, 2014

trending: pattern mix masters


The last day of school has finally arrived and I'm both thrilled and frightened at the thought of kicking off summer in a few short hours. I have a 3-year-old who is acting very...three lately. And the thought of a change to her schedule that might further muck her up almost makes me want to go hide in the closet until September. So let's ease into this week by talking about a trend I can't get enough of - pattern mixing.

In the right space, I love a collected look. A room that looks more curated over time and layered, very lived in. These spaces always feel comfortable and welcoming to me. Almost as though you are going into the 'real' room of someone's home, not the staged living room for guests. A backstage pass to someone's private space you could say.

Now this style certainly isn't for everyone and when it's not done well it looks like a hot mess. But there are a number of people who do it well and do it often.

Anna Spiro
Anna Spiro
Jamie Meares
Tilton Fenwick
Jeffrey Bilhuber
Katie Rosenthal
John Robshaw
What do you think? There are certainly levels of this trend, hardcore mixes for the bold and daring and more subtle mixes for those who just want to dip their toe into the mix.

Are you on board? Would you give it a try in your own home? Or will you leave the mixing to the cocktails?

28 comments:

  1. I wouldn't consider myself hardcore but I do like the Katie Rosenthal room. Mixing more modern patterns is my thing.

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  2. Wow…that red color painted bathroom I liked the most. After reading your post, I am planning to paint my bathroom with this beautiful color. Amber…wonderful collections you have here on this post. Thanks for this brilliant write up.
    living-rooms-looks

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  3. I love almost all of those! Katie, Jamie and Anna are my faves, I like the look on solid sofas. Happy first day of summer vacation! :)

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  4. I love to mix but I am not nearly as bold as these pros. Could I just move into anything designed by John Robshaw? Gah!!

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  5. Thrilled and frightened! :) That would sum it up for me, too. But, we still have a week left.

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  6. Absolutely love the look, but I can't pull it off. Whenever I've tried, it looks like a schizophrenic decorated :D

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  7. Mix, mix, mix! I love it everywhere and always!

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  8. This summer means kitchen remodel for me...demo is two weeks from today...eeek...so I am thrilled and anxious at the same time! I am more of a neutral girl in my own décor...but do like to mix tone on tone colors and textures.

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  9. I only like it as far as a mix of mismatched cushions on a sofa. Most of these rooms make my eyes hurt (not because they are ugly though!). I just can't even think straight with that much visual stimulation. Give me a spare scandinavian room any day.

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  10. I love all of these looks, but sometimes I wonder if I could really live in them at this extreme. I need a little calm to balance out my personal crazy. :)

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  11. I love, I love, I love, I love!

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  12. Love a good mix - there have been a few spreads in HB the past few months where the mix of pattern was bold but done so well. Gotta admire a homeowner that is willing to go for it.

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  13. I adore it all however am swooning over the Katie Rosenthal coffee table!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

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  14. Love the mix. Love layers and "accidental decorating". Love rooms that have meaning. At 64 I'm too old for beige.

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  15. I love it, but I think I might get tired of it too quickly! So I might leave it for the cocktails…

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  16. I like the look but when it is executed well. There are a lot of people mixing just way too much and it doesn't make sense. But if done well, it can be the life of the party!

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  17. I love it...but I don't think that I have mastered the mix yet. I love all of the pictures included in this post. I could live in any one of them!

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  18. Love it but it's a bit hard to live with...I might like it for a month or too than move on...

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  19. I like both my patterns and cocktails mixed. Good luck with the kids!!

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  20. I love a mix! But, maybe a bit more subtle. It's one of those looks that I can die for in photos but might be too much in my house : )

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  21. You picked out the perfect pattern mixes!! and I totally laughed out loud about it looking a Hot Mess if not done right! lol so true!

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  22. Love it. (Have no idea if I do it well but I know I do love it when I THINK I've gotten it right) Jamie Meares is a master though, I bow down to her bravery. xxx

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  23. I loooove a good pattern mix! Enjoy your summer!

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  24. Wow. That is some serious pattern mixing. I too like the Katie Rosenthal room the best……however a lot of pattern brings me right back to the 80s and big Waverly and Laura Ashley patterns. I don't know if I could live in an environment like that again!

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  25. Love the more subtle mixing of fabrics like the first several images but the last one is pattern overload for me! Congrats (and good luck :) with the start of summer!

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  26. When it works it is very good but I have seen it go wrong:(

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