Tomorrow, and likely the rest of the week, will have me in a high-stress state. The last few months of this election have given me some hope (she says tentatively) and yet the looming reality that we could be taken so far backward is staring us dead in the eyes. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I am terrified. I’m sure some of you are ready to be DONE with hearing about this topic, others might disagree with me, but not acknowledging the extremely high stakes we are faced with at this moment in history feels wrong to me. PLEASE VOTE.
But yes, we are a design site and design is what I am here to talk about. Given the current chaos of our cultural temperature, pattern drenching and the newer ways people are implementing it felt apropos…but the good kind of chaos. Happy chaos? Sure:) Let’s start with the traditional way we think about “pattern drenching”…
The Classic Way
The term feels pretty self-explanatory but to clarify, classic pattern drenching is taking a room and nearly covering everything in the same or multiple different patterns. Wallpaper is key as shown in the two examples above but then expanding additional patterns to the drapes, rugs, upholstery, textiles, you name it is what is important.
What I also think these two examples so beautifully show is how tone and colors impact the “intensity”. In the room on the left, you have this happy, bright room that could be considered a little on the visually loud side, while the room on the left has a much more tonal and neutral color palette which makes is feel a little quieter (dispute having more patterns).
This whole home is an INCREDIBLE example of this technique all while having so much of the homeowner’s beautiful culture through so many of the patterns. A total feast for the eyes.
Here are two other extremely fun examples! For the room on the left, the wallpaper, bedspreads, and window seat work so perfectly together, but then, if you look at the top of the ceiling where the skylight is there’s a completely unexpected tile moment. You almost think it wouldn’t work but it does and I love it so much. Then the room on the right, I adore how they mixed those printed patterns with handpainted accents. I am such a sucker for a cool handpainted pattern.
Now, let’s move on to the ways pattern drenching has become more popular recently and spoiler alert, most are about choosing your moments…
Not Every Wall
So yes, pattern drenching may be an overwhelming concept to a lot of us, so there are some ways to still have a pattern-rich room without feeling like it’s too much for your own style.
Take this bedroom above, while there’s only one wall with wallpaper, I consider the wood slat wall to also add a pattern. It’s just more neutral and quiet. Then look at the amazing bedding that has a total of 6 MORE patterns. Basically, think outside the box when thinking of what is considered “a pattern”.
Another option is to go HAM on multiple intricate patterns in your space but then give your eye a little break with a plain accent wall like they did in this bathroom.
Or you could give all of your walls a simple pattern with a single material (like this wood paneling) and then choose different pattern scales for the main decor pieces in your room as Heidi did with the bedding, rug, and drapes. So cool, so exciting, but in no way too overstimulating.
Tile Play
Tile is a more permanent material so most of us tend to not take huge risks in this area but if you are up for it, it can make ALL the difference. In the living room on the left, it’s all the same tile and color but the pattern is pretty impactful and makes the room so exciting mixed with those squiggle balusters and cool rug. Then in the kitchen on the right, it is a similar type of tile as the living room but they chose two colors and implemented two patterns! But since the tile doesn’t go all the way to the ceiling it’s just visually stimulating enough without taking over the whole room.
Add A Mural
If you love the idea of pattern drenching but prefer not to have a bunch of medium to small-scale patterns repeating everywhere, then maybe I show you the mural/pattern mix. Murals are such a beautiful design element that’s inherently large-scale. So when mixed with small-scale patterns through decor pieces it creates such a dynamic visual moment. I think both of the examples above prove that:)
Seating Only
For my pattern-drenching purists, you might not be happy that this option is being suggested in this post but hear me out. When you have either a big piece of furniture (like a sectional) or multiple upholstered seating options in one room, covering them all in one or multiple patterns can be super visually impactful. Look at this bold yellow floral sectional with those brightly colored striped pillows and plaid blanket. That’s A LOT of pattern in one room (and it’s awesome).
Or in this room. There are two different fabric patterns as well as some patterned pillows and a blanket. Sure, this room isn’t “drenched” but you don’t leave that room not thinking about all that pattern. Arlyn wrote a great post about patterned sofas if you’re in the market.
Bedding Only
Then lastly for those who maybe don’t want to or can’t heavily invest in patterned wallpaper, drapes, new upholstered furniture, etc., playing with your bedding is a really fun and nonpermanent way to pack in a pattern punch.
This photo is from Nickey Kehoe so this bedding is likely not super affordable but there are so many great brands that have incredible options. Just remember to pick a color palette (and stick to it) and mix up the pattern scales like they did in this photo.
That’s it from it today. Hope the happy visuals were a nice break. Ok, now VOTE VOTE VOTE!
Opening Image Credits: Design by Gretchen Raguse | Styled by Gretchen Raguse and Emily Henderson | Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: Gretchen’s First MOTO Reveal: A Tiny Bedroom Comes Alive With The Perfect Pieces From Article (And Fabric On The Walls??)
