Dear AT,
I recently purchased this bedspread from Target and I absolutely love it for my dorm.
Now I'm at a loss for what kind of pillows/curtains/rug I can put with it.
I'd love to have more than just a few solid colors, but I will if I must.
Do you think I can add patterns without complete catastrophe?
Thanks! Lindsay




I think you could do a couple simple black and white patterns -- say, black and white stripes in different widths and combinations, and maybe some dots. But keep it simple and keep it to that color pallette, otherwise I think it will give you a headache. :)
view JulesDC's profile
I was thinking a wide stripe also. I think pottery barn (I know) has something like what I was thinking, but there colors are less rich like yours and more country. Wide black/white stripe would be pretty cool.
view amt230's profile
I agree with stripes. Mixing patterns can look really cool - go for it!
view Cynthia in SF's profile
I don't know, but can you tell me who makes that bedding? I can't find it on the target website :-(
view tyrene's profile
Another vote for stripes!
There are other options, but I think it's a matter of knowing it when you see it.
view ValHalla's profile
i'd go with stripes (you could do varying widths) and maybe, a very very small print that from a distance looks solid.
view Enamorada's profile
striped bedspread and sheets with a small scale pattern. see the isadora bedding collection at kohls dot com.
view Lady J's profile
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/landingpages/candies/home/bedding/PRD~c9032/Candies Isadora Bedding Coordinates.jsp
view Lady J's profile
tyrene, it's the Scroll comforter:
http://tinyurl.com/6jnob9
Lindsay, check out this slide show "Decorating in Black and White" to get ideas:
http://www.bhg.com/decorating/color/neutrals/decorating-in-black-and-white/
You'll get some ideas about pattern mixing. Colors. Styles. Like picture 12 shows a bathroom, with FOUR patterns. A checkerboard bathtub, leaf towels, buffalo check ottoman, and polka dot robe.
You'll also see harlequin diamonds, toile, little checks, stripe variations. Notice how several rooms (pay attention) have a taupe, camel, or beige tone as an accent. You'll see that in wall paint, furniture, sisal rugs with a black border.
You can browse sheets for days online, like at Smart Bargains
http://www.smartbargains.com
There's are a couple of stripes, there's a white with black border trims.
Do a search for:
black white bedding
over at http://www.google.com
and then click on IMAGES at the top. You'll get photos of black and white bedding (mostly).
Zebra and damask. Traditional and modern. Monogrammed and graphic floral. Repeat using:
black white rugs
Get ideas, look at images, notice how they balance a room (if it's a room shot) with other things. Solid color pieces.
These curtains could work:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80117478
If you add in a bright solid for the sheets, then pick up a matching sheer curtain and place between the two black and white curtains, like these:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30109193
JCPenney has a great bright orange (mango) and a pink and a blue that would go well with the bright IKEA sheers:
http://tinyurl.com/6oxdzv
No, you don't use all the colors and all the patterns at once. But you can pick out a basic set of white for when you are not in the mood for any color. And then a set of the favorite color, and maybe just pillowcases in the brights?
view TRUE BLUE's profile
Anything black-and-white will work if you don't use any other colors. If you use colors, I'd keep them all solid, unless you're a design genius.
view Lisa Hunter (Montreal)'s profile
Thanks for all the great feedback! I love the black/white/solid color suggestion for curtains. And stripes could work I think. I'm off to go hunt for some striped pillows.
-Lindsay
view designfancy's profile
Use black and white either larger or smaller pattern. Small, medium, large usually works well.
view hippyvieja's profile
Those are some nice looking sheets, would look good in a dorm room
dorm bedding
view Dormroom's profile