I warned you on day one that I was no shrinking violet when it comes to pattern and color. So today I am going to share a few secrets on mixing bold patterns and colors together in a layout that remains simple and graphic. Let's get started!
MIXING PATTERNS
Combining different patterns can be stunning and dramatic on your pages...if you do it right. There's a trick to mixing and matching patterns and colors. You need a healthy dose of creative imagination and some courage to use variety. With a few simple design principles, you can mix patterned papers without worrying if they really GO together.
Principle 1- Choosing Colors
Color remains an extremely important aspect, particularly how you use it. Patterned Papers have a gazillion colors to choose from. So how do you decide which papers to mix? Well, that all depends on if you plan on scrapping color or black & white photos.
For now, let's say I'll be scrapping a color photo (don't worry, we'll get to b&w photos in pt. 2). When scrapping a color photo you will want to draw your color pallet from the photo itself. Here is the photo I will be creating with. I snapped this shot of my sister-in-law and her fiance as they were walking to their car after a family wedding.
Notice the colors which jump right out at you? Pink, Black, Green and maybe a touch of red? Because of this photo I will be using this color combination to choose my patterned papers.
Principle 2 - Gallon, Quart and Pint
Now let's talk about the pattern you choose. This has been a design principle in Interior Decorating forever and it works in scrapbooking too. When mixing patterns, mix pattern sizes as well, otherwise know as scale. One pattern should be large, one medium and one small. If you decide you want a floral pattern as your attention getter, pick a large pattern. Be sure that the other patterns are smaller and more subdued.
Principle 3 - VARY PATTERN TYPES
Mixing various types of patterns is a good way to get started. Think florals with stripes and grid paper. Using three florals together, even if they are different scales, will look busy and cluttered. As you can see, for this layout I chose a floral, a dot and a stripe.
Wanna see how it turned out? Okay, here's the finished layout...
So, have these design principles helped demystify mixing patterns for you? Have any more questions on these principles? Think I have lost my mind? Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! See ya tomorrow!
