Shop by Style: 5 More Tips for Coordinating Contrasting Patterns

Crafting beautiful interiors with contrasting patterns is a skill. And it’s one that we get asked to teach a lot here at NewWall. Last year, we took to our blog to provide our top 5 tips for successfully coordinating contrasting patterns. Since then, conversations around this design phenomenon exploded! It seems there’s an appetite to learn more. So, we’ve obliged. Using only the finest examples from the pattern pioneers, House of Hackney, we’re excited to share part 2!

A quick recap

Before we give you our next 5 tips for crafting spaces with contrasting patterns, let’s quickly refresh our originals…

Florescence Alabaster by House of Hackney

Palette pairing: pick a color, and make sure your patterns carry it through.
Blocking for balance: contrast bold prints with block paneling/single color fabrics to allow it to shine.
Texture: vary patterns using velvets, linens and silks to break up matching items.
Furnishing fusions: pair modern patterns with ornate antique furniture for a twist on pattern pairings.
Scaling: Pair large prints with small, delicate designs for pleasing, contrasting features.

Want to brush up a little more? Read the full article here.

Let’s move on to part 2…

1. Find focus

Each and every room is a little bit different. To understand what contrasting patterns will go best, you need to start by analysing the space, to find your focus.

Take Victorian/Edwardian Era buildings. Typically, these are bursting with space, but lacking spice. In this case, you could go for bold, brilliant wallcoverings, and highlight features with blocks, as we’ve done below…

Amatoria Noir by House of Hackney

However, if you’re in a newer build, your space will likely be more compact. In these cases, opt for brightening, simple patterns on the walls, and go bold with upholstery, curtains and throws.

Amatoria Velvet Noir by House of Hackney

2. Incorporate Color Theory

No matter your space, you have 3 core elements: wallpaper, fabrics and furnishings. To hone harmony between these elements, use color theory.

Source: i0.wp.com

Color wheels are a quick way to sanity-check your palletes before you commit. Applying this is simple. You have 3 possible options:

1. Complimentary: opposite sides of the wheel

2. Analogous: next to each other

3. Monochromatic: variations of a single color

Lauriston Stripe Cerulean by House Of Hackney

Once you’ve picked, pairing pleasing patterns will become a breeze.

3. Unique unifier

This is for those who’ve attempted a pattern, but feel it’s missing something. When picking a bold pattern, we often think the rest should be left simple to let it shine. While this sometimes works…it can leave your interior feeling stuck. This is because you’re missing your unique unifier.
A little flourish that ties the bold with the plain, something that makes your interior shine. But what could it be?

The beauty of a unique unifier…is that it’s unique. So, it’s up to you! But, if you’re looking for some inspiration, trying bringing in a border.

Artemis Wallpaper Border Black by House Of Hackney

A long lost interior treat, the wallpaper border is a way to contrast, celebrate and shake up your coordinating patterns. But, if that’s a bit much for you, you could achieve the same unifying quality with a lovely linen blind or curtain…

Florescence Noir Cotton Linen by House Of Hackney

4. Stick to a style

Can you summarize your style in 1 sentence? If not, drop those fabrics… because you’re not quite ready.
How can you pick wonderfully contrasting patterns, if you don’t know what you’re trying to achieve? Before you buy, be sure that you can finish these sentences.

I want my space to feel…
I want to enhance…
I’m inspired by…
I want to avoid…

Floribunda Magna Zenith by House Of Hackney

Floribunda Magna Zenith Velvet by House Of Hackney

Once you’ve done that, you’ll understand your style influences and needs. From there, it’s a case of sticking to it! Before picking, always ask whether it ties in with your bottom line.

5. Craft collections, not chaos

We’ve established your 3 core elements for crafting your space are wallpaper, fabric and furnishings. But, that doesn’t mean the rest is a free-for-all. You need to make sure your secondary elements work with the space too. From picture frames to candles, photographs to artwork – these should be collections that complement the contrasts that you’ve created…not add chaos!

Andastra Amazonite by House Of Hackney

We hope you found this part 2 of coordinating contrasting patterns helpful! Ready to shop? Remember, you can filter by style, to find the perfect patterns for you. For those featured today, simply click below.

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