Less is more? Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds would suggest not. New York's most influential couple made a case for layering varying patterns in their Tribeca apartment – and we're considering it our pass to follow suit.
Mixing patterns can be seen as controversial, but when done right, this risky design technique adds maximalist flair to any sized space. Blake and Ryan have opted for a dark floral couch, an ornate rug and upholstered arm chairs that juxtapose their lighter-colored furnishings. And who better to showcase them than Hugh Jackman?
Hugh visited his Deadpool counterpart for what appears to be a Wrexham viewing party (because, of course), and in doing so, he offered us a look at Blake and Ryan's textured living room. We're no stranger to seeing this space on Blake's Instagram (fans will recognize the same space from her Serena van der Woodsen-approved party pics), but Hugh's shot offers a more detailed look at how they use pattern in their space.
The couple's understated twist on the 'pattern drenching' design trend can feel risky, but in opting for similar-hued furnishings, they have maintained a seamless color scheme that feels cohesive, despite its eclectic undertones. It's a reminder that using texture in interiors doesn't need to be boring – we should buy that antique chair or bold printed rug and bring it to life along other pieces in our space.
More is always more. Layer texture and pattern to create excitement in a home. More rugs, more art, more objects,' comments Martin Waller, the founder of global design brand Andrew Martin.
Martin Waller is the founder of the globally renowned design house Andrew Martin, and he remains at the heart of the brand to this day. The London-based designer has shaped furniture, fabric, and wallpaper trends through his experimentative designs – based on a variety of cultures. At the turn of the millennium, he published his bestselling design book Fusion Interiors (available on Amazon).
This space uses a similar pattern-clashing technique
Designer Matthew Williamson agrees. He recommends following Blake and Ryan's lead by prioritizing a patterned rug that sets the tone for the rest of the patterned furnishings.
'One of the best places to start when bringing color and pattern into the home is with a floor covering, setting the tone and anchoring the rest of the space. A beautiful rug can give you a palette or a sounding board for the rest of the room,' he says.
'You could pick out specific colors from the weave and take them onto the walls, into the soft furnishings and even up onto the ceiling for a dramatic look. You could also experiment with pattern, pairing a leopard print rug with a striking floral wallpaper or sofa.'
Matthew Williamson is an award-winning British interior designer, known predominantly for his unique and unrivalled use of pattern and colour. Having begun his illustrious career in fashion under his namesake brand over 20 years ago, Matthew has drawn on his decades of experience and pivoted seamlessly into the world of interior design. He now develops several homeware collections to sit his growing residential and commercial interior design portfolio. His latest achievements are the launch of his first interiors book, Living Bright, a personal guide to embracing colour, and the Design Kitchen, a newly designed space for the Design Museum in Kensington, London.
Shop the Blake and Ryan-inspired edit
Clashing patterns begins with influence from Blake and Ryan's Tribeca abode. We're picking up these buys for a similar aesthetic.
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