Statement patterns bring instant charm to any room. Whether you’re bold enough to cover your walls and ceiling in a hand-printed damask paper or find a smaller risk like a striped throw pillow more your pace, there’s no denying the instant power of pattern. A major contributor to the British Arts and Crafts movement and renowned textile designer, artist, poet and social activist, William Morris, proved just this. His detailed designs have added the perfect touch of organic imperfection to every room since Morris & Co.’s founding in 1861. From dense tapestries and swirling florals to symmetrical blooms and open compositions, these playful patterns invite a closer look at every surface, ensuring each corner of a home is equally loved. But how much pattern is too much pattern? How do you know which patterns to pair? If you’re looking to refresh your space with a dash of blooming life, we invite you to join us in asking, “what would William Morris do?” 

Make Yourself at Home 

Simply Severn Soft Pink

In order for your home to feel cozy and inviting to others, it must first make you feel comfortable. Your home is, after all, just that: yours. So play with patterns in whatever way makes you happy! Love bold, bright juxtapositions? Go wild with contrasting colors and crazy scale. Prefer a lighter, sweeter touch? Take inspiration from a spring garden with pastel pinks and greens. Remember that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to self expression. Morris himself advised to “have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”

Vary Your Scale

MELSETTER TEAL GREEN

When pairing large swaths of pattern, like wallpaper and rugs, scale is your friend. Covering large surfaces in patterns of equal scale gives your eye no direction. Without variety, the space can feel small and guests can feel trapped within the maze of colors and textures. Instead, pair a more detailed wallpaper with a larger, open-patterned rug, or vice versa, to differentiate the planes. Tie the two patterns together with a consistent color or motif, like garden florals. 

Complement The Color Palette

Pink & Rose Burgundy

When styling a colorful pattern, take the full palette into consideration. To ensure a space feels cohesive, dial into three to four main colors and ensure a balance of warm and cool tones. For example, @prettylittleedwardian’s layered green bed frame atop the meandering Morris & Co. Pink & Rose Burgundy Rug provides a visual reprieve, while maintaining a cohesive color story. The addition of the Pimpernel window covering ties the room together, adding depth and intrigue in complementary teal and blush tones. 

Layer The Love 

Marigold Blue Rug

Known for his lush gardens, Morris knew the beautiful, inspiring power of nature. The muse for many of his most famous works, his gardens layered blooms of various scale, seasonality, and fruit. Just like a balanced garden bed, each room in your home is a canvas for lush layering. Take a page out of Morris’ book and toss away any equations for the perfect pattern mix. Instead, layer textiles, prints, art, and textures for your own mix of beauty. Curate a space that inspires you to live, love, and create with passion.

Ready to jump into pattern play? Our brand new collection of washable designs from Morris & Co. makes it easy. Explore the full collection of playful, blooming patterns and bring charming depth to every room in your home.