Designer Amy Studebaker has an eye for mixing patterns. The guest room that she designed for the Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Palm Beach last year offers a masterclass in the successful layering of them. “I’ve never been afraid to play with design: patterns, colors, textures,” says the designer. “Those layers create luxury but they also hold space for the unexpected.”
A home’s approachability and warmth often starts with an unspoken permission to play, and patterns are a great tool for evoking emotion, says Studebaker, owner of Amy Studebaker Design. Depending on how they’re paired or layered, they can make a room feel comfortable, whimsical, or even handsome, she adds.
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In the guest room (see pictures above), Studebaker created cohesion at the foundation by using “Lisieux Rose” by Soane Britain on both the walls and drapery. “Drenching the room in the soft poplin textile almost acted like a neutral anchor, creating a forgiving canvas that allowed for more pattern and texture without crowding or overwhelming the overall scale.”
Lara Pennington of Lara & Company Interiors is partial to the look that results from mixing small, medium, and large patterns. “That’s what gives a room a really good composition,” she says. “Think about whether you have a geometric pattern or more of an organic pattern theme. I like to do a mix of the two to create interest.”
In this sunny living room, Pennington blended a large black and white stripe curtain with an animal print rug of the same bold colors. Pillows in a small Chinoiserie floral print add dimension and interest.
