Remember when Mom told you stripes don’t go with florals? Well that was then, and this now. Mixing it up is oh so current!

Patterns are back big time in decorating, but mixologists beware, else the elegant living room could be the stage for the circus coming to town.

So, a few simple rules on mixing pattern for a spectacularly beautiful room:

Start out by keeping the number of patterns in a room to a maximum of four or five, else it could look more cluttered than chic. If patterns are new for you, start with an existing carpet, wallpaper, or paint color to help you anchor your overall color scheme.

Repeat any fabric you use at least one more time. And though one color in each pattern should be shared in all the patterns, don’t feel compelled to match all the colors perfectly. The same pattern in contrasting colors can be used to great effect.

Choose ones that compliment and blend beautifully and you can combine them with confidence. If you are mixing patterns in adjoining rooms, it’s important to have a common thread – a color or a weave – that connects them in some way.

Vary the scale of your patterns. Mixing various types of patterns is a good way to get started, for instance a large floral will look great with a tiny stripe and a medium plaid. As a general rule, a good mix includes a small-, a medium-, and a large-scale pattern.

Distribute patterns throughout a room to avoid a cluttered look. Combined patterns need space, and we sometimes need a rest from them.

Finally, in a room with multiple patterns, make sure there’s a place for the eye to rest. It could be as small as the lacy white pillow nestled into the chair. The pillow and other white accents also help separate and highlight the patterns.

– On the House