Mixing & Matching Patterns with Tempaper’s Jennifer Matthews
You may have been told a time or two that patterns are not meant to go together. This restrictive rule of thumb does not ring true among design enthusiasts today. Vibrant, eclectic interiors have returned to the scene – replacing the neutral palettes that seemed to pervade every home for the past decade – and with them has come the opportunity to mix and match to your heart’s content.
Choosing to combine different patterns and styles provides you with endless opportunities to get creative in your space. However, if you’re nervous about plunging headfirst into the proverbial deep end when it comes to your design scheme, we tapped Jennifer Matthews, co-founder and creative director of Tempaper Removable Wallpaper, for some insight on the subject.
Layering different patterns and styles brings eclectic charm to any space (Photo courtesy of Veneer Designs).
Why Mix & Match?
“Combining multiple patterns and styles brings character and soul to your home, creating eclectic, cozy spaces that feel lived in. Far from appearing overly staged, this approach creates visual interest through contrast while allowing you to tell a story in any room of the house. Mixing and matching prints is an excellent form of expression. Organized chaos at its best.”
Balance out a room by pairing small, busy prints with larger, more simplified patterns.
(Left: Photo courtesy of Jeweled Interiors, Right: Photo courtesy of The Rath Project).
Tips & Tricks
“While there are general guidelines that will help you to mix and match different styles successfully, try not to overthink it. The goal is to create harmony in your space. If you think the patterns are in danger of being too much, you can always give your eye a resting point in between patterns by bringing in a solid color or textured elements.
If you’re unsure which patterns will go best together, start by identifying your color palette. Prints in the same color family almost always coordinate beautifully. You can also experiment with patterns of different scales. For example, if you opt for wallpaper with a small, busy print, you can balance out the room by integrating a rug with a larger, more simplified pattern.
I love prints so I find it hard to go wrong! Nothing has to be permanent, so don’t be afraid to take risks in your home. You never know how impactful the result will be!”
Tempaper’s new Grasscloth Chambray (left) and Speckled Terrazzo (right) provide textured allure in any space.
Patterns on the Rise
“Textured prints have been a mainstay in home décor for some time. Stone and grass cloth continue to be popular choices for our customers. Our new textured Grass cloth Chambray colorway and Speckled Terrazzo stone design fulfill this need in such a beautiful and functional way.
Nature-inspired patterns and tropical prints will always be in style, though these are constantly evolving. For example, the oversized banana leaf motif that was highly popular two years ago now incorporates a conversational feel by infusing jungle animals and scenery. Our latest collaboration with The Novogratz highlights a whimsical animal print featuring playful monkeys and elephants known as Monkey Business. Animal patterns inspired by fashionable skins such as leopard and cheetah spots or zebra and tiger stripes are all the rage in both fashion and interiors.
Interiors are also leaning toward a more refined, timeless aesthetic, which lends itself well to chinoiserie patterns. If you’re looking to integrate organic forms in a way that stand the test of time, choose painterly florals that exude classic appeal.”
Left: An elegant chinoiserie pattern is accompanied by a Persian rug with a coordinating color scheme (Photo courtesy of Erin Kestenbaum) / Right: Tempaper’s Pomegranate Chinoiserie temporary wallpaper makes a statement, complemented by a sheepskin stool (Photo courtesy of At Home With Ashley) .
Dos & Don’ts
“I once saw a room that featured a mural of chinoiserie wallpaper paired with a modern piece of abstract art. The result was unexpected, but stunning. I’ve also seen a chinoiserie paired with a bold, crisp geometric that was beautiful. The biggest pattern faux pas I have come across was a space that mixed multiple animal prints of multiple color ranges in one room. The combination was overwhelming and clashy.
A great place to start when mixing patterns is to stay within the same color family. Choose your main pattern, then select one or two less busy prints in the same color family. For example, if you choose a large blue and yellow floral print, try adding small dots in a light blue or neutral tone, with a larger blue and white striped print.
Think opposites! It can also be fun to play with juxtaposition. Try florals with geometrics, large patterns with smaller ones, or bold patterns with more muted ones. Whatever your approach, mixing patterns is fun, so don’t be intimidated!”
Create an accent wall with a beautiful large-scale chinoiserie design, then embellish furniture with a smaller-scale Tempaper pattern.
How to Use Tempaper When Mixing & Matching Patterns
“I have seen people adorn an accent wall with one of our larger patterns, then embellish furniture with a smaller-scale Tempaper design in a coordinating color. We have seen our designs on headboards, bookcase shelving, staircase risers, ceilings, desks and more. There’s no surface too small or big for Tempaper!
Whatever you are trying to design around – whether it be a luxury hand-woven carpet, that great painting you bought on your trip to Italy last year or just a unique decorative pillow you bought at your local boutique – there is no shortage of Tempaper prints to complement your desired aesthetic.
One of the biggest motivations behind our company is to encourage the ease of adventurous design. With removable wallpaper, you are free to follow your impulses and try new things, without the fear of commitment. Whatever pattern you choose can easily be peeled off and replaced with another pattern as soon as you find yourself wanting a change. What’s more perfect than that?”
Jennifer Matthews is the co-founder and creative director of Tempaper, the first removable wallpaper company that launched in 2008.