Color and Pattern and Texture, Oh My

Room design by Rachel Moriarty. Photo by Deborah Shields Photography

C O L O R

AND PATTERN AND TEXTURE Oh My!

BY JOANNE LENART-WEARY

D

id you know color is the first thing we see followed by shape? Color impacts us visually, emotionally and even physically because we can actually “feel” some colors.

Pattern and texture elevate color to the next level. The ability to mix all three with panache can take a room to new levels of fabulous. The best rooms not only delight your eyes but make you want to touch and feel your way through the space. Let’s get inspired by the work of some talented designers who demonstrate my “get it right” guidelines.

COMPLETE, NOT COMPETE

The true key to color palette success is not the mix of hues but of saturations. If the intensity of one color completely distracts from the others, chances are you are witnessing competing saturations.

In the room at left, the talented Rachel Moriarty of Rachel Moriarty Interiors in San Diego creates a fabulous color recipe of deep values and completing saturations. The use of yellow in the art also brings the eye up, making the space seem larger.

Room design by Christine Tse. Photos by Veronica Rodriguez

In this beautiful room by Christine Tse of Christine Tse Interiors in London, the art married the complementary color scheme and brought the room together.

FIND THE COMMON THREAD

When mixing patterns and textures, it is essential to find the thread that creates visual cohesion with color, motif or contrast. Nikole Starr with Nikole Starr Interiors in Richmond, TX, blended all three by first applying contrast. The walls and window treatments have a light background with a darker motif. They contrast with the chairs, which do the exact opposite, providing a dark background contrasting the light diagonal lines. Notice how she also brings the blue up in the art, again lifting the eye and honoring the tall ceilings in the room.

POP IT WITH COLOR (left)

Black may be the common shade in this room, but it gets more exciting with the addition of the rosy-red sofa in this beautiful room by Veronica Solomon with Casa Vilora Interiors in Katy, TX. Notice the color is repeated in the Chinoiserie table and then very subtly again in the book binding on the sideboard. When popping an accent color, repeat it three times at different levels in the room. Never divide colors evenly.

Room design by Nikole Starr. Photo by Colleen Scott Photography

TEXTURE TIMES TWO (above)

We feel texture twice: with our eyes and then with our hands. In today’s world, the mix of unexpected pairings adds interest and contrast to every room. The key is to use texture at multiple heights and blend rough with smooth. Nikole Starr did exactly that by blending the rough texture of brick with the smooth velvet on the dining chairs. The visual texture of the chandelier adds weight and balance.

Room design by Jessica McLendon. Photo by Mary Costa Photography

WHAT GOES WITH WHAT?

Once you select your color palette, have fun with pattern. The best combinations include a statement pattern mixed with a smaller-scale pattern, a directional fabric and a blend of texture and sheen. Jessica McClendon with Glamour Nest Interior Design illustrates this perfectly in this cozy and colorful kitchen. Here is my cheat sheet of combinations that work every time: • Toile, Stripes, Checks • Floral, Geometric, Stripes • Floral, Geometric, Polka Dots • Ikat, Plaid, Floral, Mini • Floral, Geometric, Texture

THE WINDOW AUTHORITY™

As an In-Home Design Consultant with JCPenney, you can have a full-time position with base pay, plus the BEST commission program and benefits in the industry. Also, JCPenney is the only retailer who carries the top three best-selling brands: Hunter Douglas, Graber and Norman.

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paid for every $100K in incremental sales with no limit. When you reach $1M in sales, you will receive your salary & commission, PLUS an additional $47,500

OUTSTANDING BENEFITS

Starting Day 1, Design Consultants are eligible for associate discount, medical, dental, paid time o and 401(k)* *Full-time benefits for eligible JCPenney In-Home Design Consultants APPLY TODAY! Send your updated resume to designers-sm@jcp.com.