{"id":262563,"date":"2017-12-06T16:40:46","date_gmt":"2017-12-06T21:40:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/?p=262563"},"modified":"2018-04-09T16:56:19","modified_gmt":"2018-04-09T20:56:19","slug":"andrea-schumacher-mixing-patterns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/andrea-schumacher-mixing-patterns\/","title":{"rendered":"Andrea Schumacher’s 7 Useful Tips for Mixing Patterns"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"In

All photos by Emily Minton Redfield<\/p><\/div>\n

Not long ago, the idea of patterned upholstery and wallpaper<\/a> might have conjured visions of grandma\u2019s house \u2014 an old-fashioned aesthetic filled with paisley prints and frilly florals. But the narrative has changed, and interior designers like Denver-based Andrea Schumacher<\/a> have mastered the art of bringing patterned decor into the 21st century.<\/p>\n

Perhaps it\u2019s her background in set design \u2014 in a city where clean lines and natural elements like wood and stone usually take the spotlight \u2014 that drives Schumacher to add a little drama to her projects. Deploying every motif from Asian pagodas and Greek keys<\/a> to painterly splatters and hard-edge geometries, the designer artfully mixes modern and traditional styles, using a combination of large- and small-scale prints, layered textures and palettes both muted and bold.<\/p>\n

But, there is such a thing as too much. \u201cYou have to decide when it\u2019s done,\u201d Schumacher says. \u201cIt\u2019s kind of like an artist walking away from her canvas and saying, \u2018I need to stop. This work is finished.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Read on to find out her best practices for infusing your interiors with the next generation of pattern.<\/p>\n

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Take Risks<\/h2>\n
\"Designer

Designer Andrea Schumacher upholstered A. Rudin<\/a> head chairs in Schumacher<\/a> (no relation) velvet and a Sansui three-dimensional cut velvet by Donghia<\/a>. Brunschwig & Fils<\/a>\u2019 Bamboo Trellis pattern covers the walls of the dining room.<\/p><\/div>\n

When it comes to decorating with pattern, there\u2019s no need to be timid. Schumacher suggests going bold by starting with a large-scale print that has a lot of different hues and using that palette as a springboard for additional prints. \u201cYou only live once,\u201d she says. \u201cReally go for it \u2014 don\u2019t be afraid of color.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pairing traditional and mid-century elements and using an unusual mix of patterns can yield conversation-starting spaces, as seen in a dining room Schumacher designed for a family in Denver. \u201cWe wanted to do an updated and fun take on a classic, keeping kid-friendliness and color at the forefront,\u201d she says. \u201cYou would think the prints we chose were a bit disjointed, but I love how they give the room a sense of movement.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Layer Neutral Colorways<\/h2>\n
\"Tamba

Tamba wallpaper by Osborne & Little sets a tranquil mood in the bedroom. Further subtleties come from custom draperies in Rochelle by Colefax and Fowler<\/a> and custom pillows donning a modernized chinoiserie<\/a> Shantung Silhouette print by Schumacher.<\/p><\/div>\n

Dramatic and bold might not work for everyone, but that doesn\u2019t mean you have to sacrifice interest. For a more understated effect, look for patterns that follow a similarly neutral, soft colorway<\/a> and layer them together to create a room that is still full of personality.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe wallpaper was our inspiration for the design of this master bedroom,\u201d she says, noting that classic, elegant taste runs in the family as the client\u2019s mother has the same wallcovering in her own master bedroom. \u201cIt provided the perfect foundation for the room\u2019s soothing palette.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Strike a Balance<\/h2>\n
\"An

An oushak rug<\/a> from Shaver-Ramsey grounds a Schumacher-designed living room. Romo\u2019s Black Edition Cromatico drapery fabric in violet keeps the room lights and airy, and lavender grasscloth wallpaper from Kneedler Fauch\u00e8re ties the room together.<\/p><\/div>\n

Add interest to a monochromatic color scheme by using varying shades within a similar palette, bringing in hints of pattern both subtle and muted through the artwork, draperies and area rugs<\/a>. Generous use of a complementary solid will keep all of the different patterns balanced.<\/p>\n

\u201cColors create richness and mood, while patterns create depth and interest,\u201d Schumacher says. \u201cWith this project, we wanted there to be a unique color story. We kept the hues light at the front of the house and then infused a more vibrant palette toward the back of the home. The common color thread throughout this living space feels really feminine and sophisticated.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Go Big in Small Spaces<\/h2>\n
\"Andrea

Schumacher transformed a petite powder room into a statement-making space with a vibrant red vanity from Waterworks and Sussex wallpaper in black and white by Designers Guild.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cI\u2019m wild for pattern in a small space,\u201d Schumacher says. \u201cFor example, a powder room is a perfect opportunity to take a risk and do something completely unexpected. Since powder rooms are typically small, it isn\u2019t as cost prohibitive as a larger space, and when you are on to the next thing it\u2019s much easier to change.\u201d<\/p>\n

And just because you\u2019re outfitting a small space with pattern doesn\u2019t necessarily mean your patterns have to downsize. Whether it\u2019s an oversized pattern or a small, repeating one, Schumacher suggests you go with what your heart tells you. \u201cIf a print sings to you, use it, regardless of its scale,\u201d she says. \u201cIn a larger space, though, prints in varying sizes help to distribute an overall color scheme and tell a story.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Think in Threes<\/h2>\n
\"Andrea

Schumacher\u2019s own study in Bow Mar, Colorado, holds true to her curated-over-time philosophy, filled with pieces that she\u2019s collected over the years. Here, she followed her rule of three with Nina Campbell<\/a>\u2019s whimsical Paradiso wallcovering, a modern geometric print on the sofa and a vintage Kurdish rug<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

Schumacher likes for rooms to feel like they\u2019ve been put together over time. \u201cI\u2019m all about retaining things \u2014 taking what people already have and repurposing or recovering them,\u201d she says, \u201cand then blending in different styles, custom pieces and antiques with items they already own.\u201d<\/p>\n

This sort of approach typically means mixing traditional patterns with modern ones. In order to create a cohesive feel, the designer says a good beginning rule of thumb is to mix three different prints in three different scales: one with an organic feel (think floral), another with a geometric pattern and a time-tested classic print.<\/p>\n

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Maximize Every Surface<\/h2>\n
\"For

For a dining space in Crested Butte, Colorado, the designer upholstered a banquette in Hurlingham fabric from Cowtan & Tout and wrapped the space \u2014 even the ceiling \u2014 with Phillip Jeffries\u2019s Diamond Weave grass-cloth wallcovering in Richmond Bisque.<\/p><\/div>\n

Pattern doesn\u2019t only have to come in the form of fabrics. Yes, you can upholster pieces of furniture and weave in accessories such as throw pillows and cushions, but other surfaces should also be considered. Even the wood grain in hardwood floors or the lines of wainscoting can have an effect on the overall pattern of a space.<\/p>\n

But Schumacher points to perhaps a less obvious point of inspiration. \u201cCeilings are often overlooked,\u201d she says. \u201cGo the distance! Add that last bit of panache. Wallpapered ceilings can add a ton of drama or be just enough to create a cozier atmosphere.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Create a Focal Point<\/h2>\n
\"A

In this Boulder, Colorado, home, Phillip Jeffries wallpaper adds interest above the fireplace. Carleton V\u2019s Puff drapery fabric and a Tibetan Wave shag rug from David E. Adler lend quieter patterns in the background.<\/p><\/div>\n

There is something powerful about designing a room so that some of the patterns command your attention and make a statement while the others act as supporting elements. Take this Boulder, Colorado, residence for instance, which was designed by Schumacher for a client with bohemian tastes<\/a> who was not afraid to take risks.<\/p>\n

The fireplace became the star of the room with the help of an oversized, repeating motif and small tiles that were arranged to create a larger patterned landscape. \u201cWe didn\u2019t want the TV to be the focal point of this space,\u201d Schumacher says. \u201cSo we created a custom cabinet with folding doors above the fireplace, creating visual interest in our client\u2019s favorite colors \u2014 blue and green.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Find Patterns for Your Life<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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