Next Up

Picking Fabrics + Patterns at HGTV Urban Oasis 2015

By: Dana Dalrymple

Follow Dana on:

See how bold, colorful fabrics come together at HGTV Urban Oasis 2015 and get expert tips from interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn.

HGTV Urban Oasis 2015 Behind the Design.

Photo: FlynnSide Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Scroll For More Photos

1 / 9

Fabulous Fabrics

It's always easier to choose paint colors from fabric than finding fabric based on a pre-existing paint color.

"I always start with a fabric then I pull my colors from it to create a house," says interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn. "Usually I start with an inspiration fabric for the palette of the whole house, and then I break it down by room."

Photo: FlynnSide Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

2 / 9

Natural Light is Your Friend

Test colors in an all white room with natural light so that nothing is obstructing the appearance of the fabrics and the colors read true.

Photo: FlynnSide Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

3 / 9

Mix and Don't Match

Choose tones slightly off of the wall color so your space doesn't appear too matchy.

Photo: FlynnSide Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

4 / 9

Guiding Light

Colors can change, so always hold fabrics up to a window to see how they will read in full daylight.

Photo: FlynnSide Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

5 / 9

Nailhead Detail

Compare a variety of nailheads with different fabrics. Nailheads bring a high-end look to an upholstered piece of furniture.

Photo: FlynnSide Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

6 / 9

Play Up Scale

A mix of different scale prints adds variety.

Photo: FlynnSide Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

7 / 9

Take Pictures

Take pictures from afar and see how patterns read from far away.

Photo: FlynnSide Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

8 / 9

Coordinate Colors

A wall color can simply be an accent color of a certain fabric.

Photo: FlynnSide Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

9 / 9

Edit Down

Edit your fabrics down to the ones that read best.