How to mix color and pattern at home

One thing I get asked really often is how I manage to ‘pull off’ mixing so much pattern and color in my work, so I thought today I’d share a few secrets that I use to make abundance of color and pattern work in any space.

• When choosing accessories with prints, work in the same color palette for all of your patterned accessories. I like to start with curtains. So, as I browse through a wide range of curtains,  I look for one specific color. For this exercise, I chose to work with blue.  I found this sweet blue patterned footstool and a blue patterned pendant lamp to add to this room. The three patterns are very different from each other, but because they’re all in the blue family, they get along really well together.
  
• Add neutral colors, to help the eye rest. I always include neutral colors so that things don’t get *too* hectic. The mellow color of the couch, the simple jute rug and the natural wooden cabinet do the trick in this space.
• While shopping for home accessories like plant pots, curtain rods, and lighting  (the Argos shop has many lighting options,) make sure the colors of the accessories recall one another. Look at the kelly green floor lamp,  the adorable colored buttons on the settee, the cacti pots, the mustard occasion table and the Matisse print, you’ll notice that certain elements match. This is done on purpose to recall different shades around the room for cohesion.
• When picking the wall colors consider the art, drapes, and other wall decor–all of things that are going to be placed at or on the wall–don’t you think that the ikat curtains look good framed in the dusk color? And that the Matisse print looks pretty on the orange?

Once you get the colors and patterns working together they no longer compete with the eye for attention.

This post is created in partnership with Argos. Take a minute to look through their HUGE selection of home goods. I was blown away with all of their options for lighting, curtains, and other home accessories. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible. (All words and ideas are my own.)

Succulent image via here. Matisse print image from here. All other item images via Argos.