Become a Pattern Pro With Tips from Designer Caitlin Wilson

In her new book, Wilson reflects on pretty patterns.

Photograph by Katie Nixon, from Return to Pretty (Abrams, New York) by Caitlin Wilson

Marie Antoinette’s sumptuous bedchamber at Versailles is the aesthetic equivalent of cake (with a side of cake!). Gilt cherubs adorn the soaring ceiling; crystal chandeliers twinkle above; and—my obsession—a hand-woven floral pattern festoons everything from the walls to the stools to the bed’s balustrades. Without that lavish motif to envelop the space, her bedroom wouldn’t have been nearly as dreamy.

Paired with fanciful florals and woven in soft pastel hues, age-old plaids can become unforgettable. Photograph by Katie Nixon, from Return to Pretty (Abrams, New York) by Caitlin Wilson

Marie must have known that more is definitely more. Even if you’re not planning on practically tenting an entire space in one beloved pattern as she did, using beautifully designed motifs can add warmth to a home and bring a room to life. More than that, patterns are one of my favorite ways to tell a client’s story. Like a picture, patterns speak a thousand words.

There’s truly nothing as charming as dainty wallpaper in a powder room; it turns even the smallest spaces into transportive experiences. Photograph by Katie Nixon, from Return to Pretty (Abrams, New York) by Caitlin Wilson

And yet, little strikes fear into the heart of DIYers and professional decorators alike as much as picking patterns. How do you select one you won’t tire of within a week? And what’s the trick to using multiple patterns in the same room, so the cast of characters doesn’t compete? I’ve found what matters most is taking the plunge. If you’re unsure of which design direction you want to take in your home, your hero pattern can be a tool that helps you choose the right path, whether you’re going for preppy (cue the French ticking stripes!) or traditional (chinoiserie, at your service). Once your primary pattern is selected, it can kick off an entire interior—inspiring your color palette, furniture selections, and even the art. Just be sure to bring a swatch of it wherever you go as you’re shopping; you’ll want to have it on hand to see how well it jibes with other fabrics, finishes, and objets. I’ll sometimes tote a pattern along with me for weeks, looking at it throughout the day in different light—even in the car—just to ensure I love it. As with any big decision, you need time to mull it over.

Touch and feel our abundant rug options in our showroom. Hand-knotted, low-pile rugs typically have more intricate detailing, while our plusher styles offer a luxury feel. Photograph by Katie Nixon, from Return to Pretty (Abrams, New York) by Caitlin Wilson

If you’re anxious about mixing patterns of different scales and hues, know that you don’t have to beeline to your nearest design center to thumb through 100 million fabric swatches. Just find that one hero pattern you can’t live without and use it as a jumping off point for others around it. Rachel Ashwell’s Shabby Chic brand ingrained in me my love for soft palettes and simple stripes. The fashion houses of Chanel and Hermès, to name a few, inspire me to be unabashedly myself and fearlessly feminine. A floral can be both fresh and nostalgic, exotic and traditional, colorful or neutral. Look for a clear, unmuddied color that’s inspired by nature and it’s more likely to go the distance. Most of what we design takes its color cues from gardens, florals, or the carefree pinks and blues of summer sunsets. Those natural colors are just easier to live with!