Some parts of the design process are easier than others. I am drawn to textiles that command attention. So for me, making a statement comes naturally. As I look back at my last 20 years as a designer, I know that one of the hallmarks of my aesthetic is a bold pattern, especially when I use it on drapery treatments. And as I peruse showrooms and samples, it’s those wings of textile beauties that draw me to imagination and execution, delivering a look that shows its confident side.

When searching for inspiration for your own design scheme, consider fabrics like these that turn up style volume with vibrance.

Geometric Grandeur

Geometrics are an ideal choice for adding structure and order to a room. Here, I used a LULU DK diamond pattern in navy and white for the straight pleated curtain panels that frame the windows. The panels give a playful boost to the solid blue seats that cushion painted white bamboo chairs and balance the chevron rug.

Mini Matters

A mini embroidered vine climbs the panels in a master bedroom that we recently completed. While the fabric’s motif is not oversized, it is graphic. The pattern pops off of the white ground, making an arresting contrast to the tone-on-tone crosshatch wallpaper that covers the room’s perimeters and a second geometric in light blue with dark accents.

Neutral and Noticeable

Don’t let a neutral fabric fool you. This tan-and-ivory botanical that I used for a dining room window treatment has plenty to say. My intention for this space was to dazzle with an intense color so I upholstered the chairs in a jewel-toned velvet. What came next was an accent of a neutral pattern that drew attention without taking over the room.

Iconic and Modern

There are so many variations of the age-old Tree of Life pattern. It is routinely being reinterpreted and reimagined. From Schumacher, the “Citrus Garden” fabric does just that. Its palette of fresh green-and-blue is joyfully interrupted by zesty lemons. While not an exact Tree of Life interpretation, it’s a pretty alternative that has become welcomed as a new classic into many interior spaces. Here, I used it to add movement in a sun-drenched family room with seating pieces in solid hues.

Blue-And-White Oversized

Public spaces throughout the house are oftentimes the key priorities, but I find it just as inspiring and satisfying to tackle some of those small spaces that are all about function. This mudroom was never going to be wrapped in plain white. I saw it as an opportunity for its own personality. To offset handsome stripes on a window seat cushion and coordinate with the painted floor, a breezy linen with a large-scale floral motif dances over the window.

Design is multi-layered, not only aesthetically, but in the process as well. Sometimes it’s fine to rely on one element to carry the weight. As you imagine the spaces within your own home, cut to the chase with a statement pattern. It will waste no time making an impact—the kind that will define you as someone with style.