Maximalist design meets playful whimsy in taylor hill's pattern-rich interiors

After years of neutrality, maximalism is making a comeback in interior design, and none other than Charleston, South Carolina's Taylor Hill is embracing the trend. As the owner of Hill Interior Design, she's seen firsthand how British-inspired designs, characterized by their effortless, less-intentional aesthetic, are capturing the hearts of homeowners looking to inject some fun into their spaces.

Grounding the room with an anchor pattern

In a recent project, Hill demonstrated how to successfully incorporate a mix of patterns and textures. She started with a bold, foliage-patterned wallpaper as the room's anchor, providing a cohesive theme that would tie in various design elements.

'Wallcoverings can be a very powerful tool for this,' Hill explains. 'We used a lively foliage wallpaper as our anchor.' The repeated pattern of leaves in varying shades of green serves as a versatile backdrop, complementing natural materials like wood and jute, while also allowing for pops of light-toned leaves that create opportunities for neutrals like the slightly striped ceiling.

From this verdant base, Hill layered in additional texture with marigold floral stripe club chairs, dynamic art, and punchy plum cabinetry. The inclusion of neutral but interesting shapes, such as a tree trunk coffee table and African stool, provides depth without overwhelming the room with color.

Sprinkling in the unexpected

When it comes to pattern, Hill advises diversifying the size, scale, and type of designs used. 'Try to mix and match,' she suggests. 'Color palette can be pretty irrelevant, but it is important to vary the pattern.' In another area of the home, Hill covered the walls with dark wood planks, allowing the different tones of the grain to create an intriguing pattern. But then she introduced plaids and botanicals into the furnishings, injecting a playful touch into the space.

'The light fixture is rather baroque and feels just enough out of place to still work,' Hill notes. 'It came from the homeowner's childhood home.' Incorporating unexpected, personal elements not only adds character but also tells a story.