Question: I have trouble knowing how to combine fabric patterns. You seem to do it in a seamless way so no pattern stands out too strongly. Do you have any recommendations for how to accomplish that look?
Phoebe’s Answer: Balancing patterns of fabric involves many factors. Color, scale, and texture to name a few. I thought it might be easier just to show you a few examples:
Here is a small-scale fabric I used on the walls and for the curtains
with a contrasting, larger pattern on the chair.
Here we have fabric on the walls in a small scale pattern, fabric on the curtains in a larger scale, sheer curtains in a stripe, a quilt in an even larger pattern, an embroidered fabric on the pillows bringing in an accent color of blue, and a solid fabric on the headboard echoing the same blue.
Here, multiple shades of turquoise and teal are repeated. The large scale pattern on the chair lies beautifully. The curtains are in a smaller scale in the same colors. The pattern was perfect for scalloping the edge of the curtains. The rug was custom-dyed in matching stripes, introducing another pattern and a different scale. The fabric on the bedskirt is the same as the curtains.
In the bedroom above. I used a wallpaper in a medium scale with a tiny check on the upholstered headboard. Trims and monograms are very effective on this pillow, adding new dimension to the combination.
This medium scale pattern was repeated on the curtains, the chair and the ottoman. A non-matching check pillow in the chair reflects he geometric design of the quilt.
A small print wallpaper is used on the walls.
Here one of my favorite linens was outline quilted and used on the sofa. Solid linens were used on the pillows and the slipcovered ottoman. A small diamond pattern was used on the chair with the ruffled skirt. We used solid linen on the curtains, but used a cotton half-inch ruffle on the leading edge.
