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Wallpaper & Maximalism: A Guide from Design Experts

Learn how you can "get the look" in your home by pairing wallpaper patterns and textures. 

07/20/2022
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york wallcoverings

 

Find the Common Thread 

"The trick to maximalism is properly mastering the art of ‘pattern-on-pattern’ without sacrificing balance, rhythm, line… the intellect behind it all. The great irony of maximalist spaces is an embedded and wonderful sense of calm and welcoming solitude. My tip is to find the common thread: What is the detail that is hiding between the lines (literally)? What is the shape that you realize is prominent in one and abstracted in the other? What is the tonal connection that ties them? What is X-factor or ‘opposites attract’ pull that simply reads like a no-brainer?” – Drew McGukin, Drew McGukin Interiors

 

Always Mix and Never Match

“We love to pair multiple wallpapers in a room with a big, bold exploded pattern upon the walls and something more geometric on the ceiling. It's all about playing with scale and mixing papers that feature complementary hues. Our soon-to-launch Premium Peel-and-Stick wallpaper collection with York is the perfect opportunity to really play with papers and make a major maximalist statement." – John Loecke and Jason Oliver Nixon, Madcap Cottage

 

Repetition. Repetition. Repetition.  

“Cohesiveness can take shape in many forms, but one key element is repetition. Repeating elements can create loads of drama and supply consistency from room to room. You can achieve repetition by repeating a material throughout multiple spaces or interpreting a variation of the same color scheme in each space. Because maximalist design tends to use many materials in combination, I suggest laying out material samples from different areas together to gain a better understanding of how they interact.” – Alyssa Johansen, Builders Design

 

Small Rooms Don’t Need Small Patterns

“Wallcoverings always make a room feel more inviting and interesting. As far as the scale of the pattern, too many people think that a small room needs a small pattern, but quite the opposite is true. Using a very large pattern in a small room makes the space feel larger. I think if someone wants to branch out into this maximalist movement, they should consider starting with a powder room. This is a space where you can have a lot of fun with wallcoverings and design.” – Karen Viscito, Karen Viscito Interiors

 

Get Your Mojo from the Ceiling 

“You can’t be a maximalist without addressing the ceilings… all of them. If you don’t have ceiling mojo… Game. Over. Need some inspiration? I suggest York’s Leopard Appaloosa design in Buttermilk paired with Fleabitten in Tan on the ceiling.” – Drew McGukin, Drew McGukin Interiors 

 

Courtesy of York Wallcoverings

 

Meet The Experts 

Drew McGukin 

Owner & Principal Designer of 

Drew McGukin Interiors

John Loecke & 

Jason Oliver Nixon 

Founders of 

Madcap Cottage 

Alyssa Johansen 

Creative Director of Builders Design 

Karen Viscito

Owner & Principal Designer of 

Karen Viscito Interiors

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