Our Experts

Bonnie Ammon Bonnie Ammon Interiors  |  Iantha Carley Iantha Carley Interiors  |  Josh Hildreth Josh Hildreth Interiors  |  Jamie Merida Jamie Merida Interiors  |  Skip Sroka, ASID, NCIDQ, ICAA Sroka Design, Inc.

What high-low combo is easy to pull off?

“Make an inexpensive find into a lamp, then splurge on the shade. Lamps are the jewelry in a room.”  — Josh Hildreth

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“You can spend less on accessories and lighting. But be careful where they go so they don’t look cheesy.”  — Iantha Carley

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“I framed 15 kids’ watercolor pictures and hung them amid luxe furniture in complementary colors. It took the art to a new level.”  — Jamie Merida

Name your go-to neutral or bold paint hue.

“I love hot pink; if you use it right it isn’t too feminine. Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace is a crisp white that is a great backdrop for color.”  — Bonnie Ammon

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“I use pale colors as neutrals. Man on the Moon by Benjamin Moore is warm with a cream cast.”  — Skip Sroka

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“I love Farrow & Ball’s Charleston Gray; it’s soothing, with a hint of purple. I’m about to paint my front door in it.”  — Iantha Carley

Tips for playing with pattern

“I mix Motifs of different scales and combine them with solids to break things up visually. I Use one dominant color to focus the eye.”  — Bonnie Ammon

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“You should have one exciting, multi-color print with two-toned supporting patterns. Mix in a textural pattern too.”  — Josh Hildreth

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“Playing with pattern is intuitive. Remember to edit; don’t get messy and overdo it.”  — Skip Sroka

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“I’m a big fan of pattern play, but the balance has to be there. Big, bold florals may go with a small paisley.”  — Jamie Merida

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“I love mixing lots of patterns—but you have to know when to stop. Start largE and work your way down in scale.”  — Iantha Carley