I've come across a floral wallpaper that I'd like to use in my traditionally styled, 15-by-18-foot living room, which includes four tall windows and a fireplace. The wallpaper comes with fabrics in the same colors and pattern. Large-scale, repeating images of roses, leaves and birds are set against a cream background.
Would it look all right to accompany the wallpaper with coordinated draperies and upholstery? Or is that too much of one pattern and one color scheme?
The do-your-own-thing school of interior design would simply tell you to take whatever approach you personally prefer. But that's not very helpful, is it?
My answer is that before deciding what to do, you should take account of factors such as the style and placement of furniture in your living room. There are some underlying principles to consider.
If the wall covering is the same pattern and coloring as the upholstery, there's a good chance the sofa will disappear into the covered walls behind it. Furniture placement can help avoid this, but it's still likely to be a problem.
In general, this effect does little to enhance the room's design. So instead I recommend that you cover all large upholstered pieces with either a plain fabric or one in colors compatible with the wallpaper. And I would restrict repeats of the wallpaper pattern to small items such as decorative pillows or the covering of occasional chairs grouped around your fireplace.
You should choose cream-colored window coverings, which would complement the background of the wallpaper, and perhaps trim them with braid or fringe in one of the other colors used on the wallpaper.
It's important in a room the size of yours that a large-scale pattern be confined to a single major surface. Otherwise, the setting will look cluttered and confused.
Rita St. Clair is a Baltimore-based interior designer. Readers with general interior design questions can e-mail her at rsca@ritastclair.com.