Home & Design

A host chair in a vibrant Brunschwig & Fils fabric sets the tone in a Northwest DC dining room by Kelley Proxmire., Inc.

In Living Color

There’s an art to designing a restful room,” opines Kelley Proxmire, an expert at creating moods with color and pattern. “Rooms should be welcoming and crisp, calming and pretty.” Below, the designer shares further insights.

TIP 1  Choose one strong color, then add complementary hues.

TIP 2  Balance is key to combining strong colors and patterns.

TIP 3  Pastels tend not to blend with bolder colors; stay within the tones of stronger colors and patterns for a cohesive look.

TIP 4  Contrast dark shades with crisp white to keep a space light and bright.

TIP 5  Be aware of the scale of a pattern and how it complements your colors.

TIP 6  Mixing mini-prints with stripes, checks and florals is in now.

You may also like:

Design from a Distance
How to experience local art and design now
Novel Mix
Jay Jenkins refashions a 1929 apartment in Baltimore, juxtaposing antiques and bold, modern art
Nordic Style
A design team revives a faded Cleveland Park gem with an airy new floor plan and a Swedish farmhouse vibe
HOME&DESIGN, published bi-monthly by Homestyles Media Inc., is the premier magazine of architecture and fine interiors for the Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia region.

The company also publishes an annual H&D Sourcebook of ideas and resources for homeowners and professionals alike. H&D Chesapeake Views is published bi-annually and showcases fine home design and luxury living in and around the Chesapeake Bay.

The H&D Portfolio of 100 Top Designers spotlights the superior work of selected architects, interior designers and landscape architects in major regions of the US.

Stay Connected with HOME & DESIGN Newsletter

Copyright © 2025 Home & Design. All rights reserved. | Back to top
magnifier