How To: Mix Patterns

1️⃣ Start with to your ‘hero’ fabric, one that you absolutely love, and let that decide your colour scheme (you don’t have to use all of the colours, just one would be ok, and then you can build on that).

2️⃣ Then, ORDER LOADS OF SAMPLES! This is so important, as the more choice you have, the easier and better the scheme will come together!

3️⃣ Start throwing spaghetti at the wall. By this, I mean pull out any fabrics that share at least one colour with your hero fabric (and make sure the colour-match is fairly accurate).

4️⃣ So now you have the long list. Next, you’re going to start whittling them down. Be ruthless. Follow these rules:

✨ Stick to a tight colour palette of 3-4 colours

✨ Make sure patterns are different scales

✨ Try to use different types of pattern (floral, stripe, geometric, organic, ethnic etc)

✨ Try to incorporate different textures (mainly prints and weaves, but there’s also velvet, corduroy, leather, sheers, wool etc.)

✨ Make sure you include one darker fabric. This will help to anchor the scheme and stop it feeling too sweet or insipid (unless you want that look?!)

5️⃣ If you’re feeling lost, use this formula:

1 x large scale pattern
1x small scale pattern
1 x stripe
1-2 x plains