Tips for Mixing Patterns

1. If the mixing of various prints, plaids, or solids has you confused, remember that you can mix any of them with stripes.
2. To mix several sizes of prints in one room, begin with common colors. Diversity in the scale of the patterns -- tiny prints juxtaposed with larger motifs -- also prevents problems from arising, as does the inclusion of at least one print with a dominant white, airy background.
3. For guidance, you may want to try this basic formula: one large-scale print, a medium stripe, a small dark print, and a small light print.
4. Keep in mind, too, that a vertical stripe needs a stopping point. If the space has no molding to stop the eye, it's important to use a border at ceiling level. If you are using wallpaper and don't have a companion border available, you can create one by cutting off a 4- to 5-inch-wide strip of your wallpaper and hanging it horizontally.

Toile Pattern Slide Show