Mysest56 
July 29, 2019
Paisley, that preppy mainstay of wingback chairs and Ralph Lauren ads, is almost interchangeable with traditional decor. But choose the ideal model, and it feels equally at home in contemporary quarters. And there’s good reason to do so: The undulating teardrop-shaped pattern, born from the Middle East and Asia, lends a sense of energy and movement that few other motifs can match. These spaces reveal at its summit.
JAC Interiors
A vibrant paisley accent wall provides a sense of buzz and excitement to this tween woman’s bedroom. The large scale and pared-down style of the pattern push it into modern territory; a smaller, swirlier print would’ve appeared overly formal.
JAC Interiors
Here is the exact same space from a different angle. The interplay of conventional (wing-style chair, gingham cloth) and contemporary (shag rug, floor pouf) comes together beautifully from the wall treatment.
Lowe’s Home Improvement
Pulling out individual paisley shapes and stenciling them onto a shade at random highlights their distinctive form. The colour functions as art for the space just as much as it displays the view.
Bauhaus Custom Homes
Textured paisley fabric softens the blocky lines of those armchairs. The pattern is spaced loosely enough to offset the conventional motif.
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Kim Metheny
What is it all about paisley and pink that makes them go nicely together? This tone-on-tone wall treatment downplays the delicacy of this routine and gives it a blockier, humbler twist.
Emily Elizabeth Interior Design
At first glance, the wealthy red print on the ottoman and toss pillows in this area doesn’t read as paisley. The slick, stylized take on a dressy pattern retains it in measure with iconic modern pieces such as the Arco floor lamp along with Panton chair.
A hint of pale paisley from the pillows adds visual texture and retains this bedroom from feeling overly plain.
Get more thoughts for blending patterns
Think beyond cloth — mosaics in other substances are every bit as arresting. This artisan-crafted tile kitchen backsplash, a refreshing twist on the conventional backsplash approach, grows more interesting the longer you look at it. And how gorgeous is that bombastic swirl in the border of the cabinetry?
Lorrien Homes & Remodeling
In a more understated but no less engaging approach, a neutral paisley motif lends a hint of personality to this customized shower.
Troy Spurlin Interiors
Brilliant fuchsia, lime and orange zest within this paisley cloth. Having a different palette and plaid or polka dots rather than stripes, this triple bedroom may have veered toward preppy. But the color scheme along with also the simplicity of this room’s other elements keep it fresh.