PATRICK MELE

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE 2114-10 Deemed the “perfect chocolate brown” by Patrick, this rich shade launched his palette. Use it in matte on walls to help hide imperfections. Benjamin Moore

EYE CATCHING 6914 Patrick loves using an acidy yellow-green as an accent. It’s just right on a desk lamp or statement vase. Sherwin-Williams POTTER’S CLAY A1853 Mellow out dark walls by using neutrals in textiles—try a throw or drapes in a monochromatic pattern. Glidden

natural fit

Designer Patrick Mele wakes up rich earthy browns with dazzling leafy greens.

DO NOT DISTURB 1117-6 Let nature shine as an accent. Lively green in plantings or pottery energizes a room.

Pittsburgh Paints CHANTILLY LACE 2121-70 Like a cool glass of milk, this color always refreshes. Coat trim in a high-gloss sheen. Benjamin Moore

SHADE SHIFTING Subtle pattern extends the brown-andwhite scheme.

Bittersweet Chocolate Benjamin Moore

FRESHEN UP WITH PATTERN

PATTERN: Mauritius in Orage, Pierre Frey ACCENTS: Olive Moss, French Quarter Gold (Benjamin Moore) WALL: Stampede (Benjamin Moore) TROPICAL VACATION Life’s a breeze with this palm print. Patrick loves it as a wallcovering with golds, taupes, and a hit of spring green as accents. For a more subtle take, paint walls in Stampede and use the palm pattern on drapery panels.

PATTERN: Tam Tam in Bananier, Pierre Frey ACCENTS: Dragonwell (Benjamin Moore); Onyx, Delicate White (Pittsburgh Paints)

DOSE OF ADVENTURE Need an escape from the everyday? This bold basket-weave pattern stuns as a wallcovering in a small space. Patrick plays it up with black trim, a matching gold-green shade on the ceiling, and white accents or upholstery.

“I love the crisp, true color combo of brown and white.” Patrick Mele

STUDIO SAVVY Patrick transformed his friend Brian Reilly’s New York City studio apartment while staying true to Brian’s overall look. “He’s an exceptional floral and event designer, so I brought in the heavy dose of naturals as an homage to his style,” Patrick says. WALLS THAT WOW The starting point was the chocolate brown walls. “In a tiny one-room studio, you can either go for impact or just keep the walls white,” Patrick says. He balanced the bold walls by keeping accessories mostly white and mixing in greens through accessories and plants. “It’s definitely a ‘less is more’ approach— don’t be afraid to edit one item out!” OUTSIDE IN “The color palette is pulled directly from nature. Look outside in the garden or backyard and you can see how the colors work beautifully together—the brown in the dirt, new leaf green, acidy green in florals —it makes for a gorgeous color mix.”

IT’S EASY! See how to use fabric to pick a color scheme. BHG.com/FabricVideo

Patrick Mele

STYLE IS “Everything, literally! Style is the way everything gets expressed about one’s self. Style is what makes life fun!” LATEST OBSESSION “Iris, Albert Maysles’ documentary about fashion icon Iris Apfel. It’s such an incredible fi lm, and a great story about style, life, and love.” BEST WAY TO SPEND $50 “A bottle of Brunello di Montalcino. You can’t go wrong with a good bottle of wine!” I GET INSPIRED BY “Traditional tribal mudcloths. The look and feel of the tribal weaves not only inspire my day-to-day work,

NEW!

Natural Balance® Wild Pursuit™ blends three proteins to give your dog the grain-free, meaty diet he instinctively craves.

A few of Patrick’s favorite things FLORAL COLOR CRUSH “The acidy green trim on these deep purple orchids—so gorgeous!” SIGNATURE FRAGRANCE Hermès Eau d’Orange Verte, $71; sephora.com HANDY DANDY NOTEBOOK “They’re a design classic—accessible and beautifully designed!” Moleskine Classic Notebook, $16.99; overstock.com. ITTY-BITTY INSPO “I love the shape and attention to detail in such a tiny item.” Vintage Dansk Antelope Figurine.Q