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The best part about a new year is a fresh start. While change isn’t exactly easy across the board, it’s definitely welcome in design—and particularly if Shea McGee is calling the shots. The designer has long defined a modern-meets-traditional aesthetic, and she recently released a forecast for 2025 that gives her expertise more of an edge.
Case in point? Her call for pattern drenching a room. It’s quite a maximalist take for the queen of warm neutrals. “It’s something I’ve always wanted a client to give us free rein on,” McGee says in the report.
If you’re unfamiliar with this design term, it’s the practice of creating an enveloping feel with one defining color or print. Here’s how to pull it off so that your “new year, new space” mindset leads to standout style.
Upholster in a Poppy Print
A solitary and sturdy piece of furniture will be all the more eye-catching when upholstered in a detailed print, much like this banquette in a Stockholm kitchen. By covering the pillows in the same fabric as the seat, the furnishing feels fun in an otherwise traditional setting. You could follow suit in your living room with equally balanced results.
Pick a Superhappy Pattern
The key to pattern-drenching is to go all in: Since there’s nothing shy about this trend, there shouldn’t be anything too reserved about your selection. Lean on the example set by this kid’s bedroom and update your space in a floor-to-ceiling print with abandon. A bright and playful pattern will surely influence your mood.
Amp Up a Dainty Print
If bolder styles don’t exactly suit your taste, you can still be a maximalist with subtler options. Even a light pattern makes an impact when used across curtains, cushions, and pillows—like in this colorful Texas home—since it turns up the volume on texture. Sprinkle in a few solid accents to keep the room grounded.
Match the Headboard to the Curtains
One way to make a bedroom feel dreamy is to take an old-school approach to the design: Pick one bold fabric, and then use it on the headboard and curtains. The sweet bedroom in this London home showcases just that, with a red floral print that coordinates with everything else in the room. By using the same print across the wall, the backdrop looks cohesive.