Inspiration: Bohemian Pattern Clash Melbourne

We love looking to fashion for inspiration in the home, mostly in the form of new colour combination ideas. Marc Jacob’s recent Spring 2009 show reminded us of something we’re currently trying to pull off – artfully clashing patterns.

This room looks like a flower bomb exploded inside. Using a similar style of pattern, in this case floral, ties the look of the room in – a mix of scale in pattern elements creates visual interest.[ Image from Real Living]

[ Images from style.com] You can look at these outfits as palette’s for inspiration. We like mixing a strong, solid colour with more subdued patterns as in the middle image.

A patterned floor treatment gives instant textural impact to a room.

Inspiration: abstract pattern paintings by Adelaide artist Sam Songailo. [ Images from Sam Songailo ]

Comments (9)

time and time again I think this looks great for a styled photo.... but not for real life. Imagine adding your clothes and shoes and general stuff of life to the mix and all you have is a big mess.

clashing patterns on clothes is fabulous. love it. adore it. wish i had the boldness to go for it more often.

but when it comes to the home, it's a whole other risk. the clash is something you have to live with for much, much longer. plus, it's static. so it takes a very good eye to be able to bring on the clash attractively.

the room above doesn't make it in my book. the wallpaper is too cheap and teenage angst-looking and the bedspread, while lovely, deserves more.

Room is way too busy. It would makes my head hurt.

I like pattern "clashes" myself (except when done well, they form a cohesive whole and don't really "clash") - I actually have to work to see 'clashes' but that may be how I interpret what I see. I really like the room pictured above, but I see more repetition and commonality with the botanical wallpaper, applique flowers on the coverlet, the flower image on the table, the cut flowers in the vase and the dense foliage landscape view. I also see commonality with the treatment of contrast between the white and darker tones that are used in the room. To me, the constrast evokes movement which coheres throughout the different patterns...

I can barely coordinate colors let alone multiple crazy patterns!!

Clashing aside, does anyone know who makes the quilt in the first photo?

I think Marc is a design genius, but the room in the first picture is HIDEOUS. I would not be able to relax in there. Way too much going on.

I second dcaries in needing to know where the flowered quilt is from!