Make a raCKet with color and pattern
Pops of color and pretty patterns almost always have a place in my team’s projects, so we are constantly scouring our sources for something fresh, fun, and a bit unexpected. But the color experts in us met our match when we spotted whimsical hand-painted pickleball paddles from one of our favorite local artists, Missy Monson. If that kind of color and pattern can make a paddle that pretty, think about what it can do for your home. Talk about game on!
Don’t get me wrong: We at MDD love timeless, tailored looks. But a little edge keeps things interesting, and it often comes in the form of color and pattern. It doesn’t have to be something that fills the entire room. It can come by way of pillows and poufs, place settings for the season, or a vase of favorite flowers. Pieces you can change out as your mood and mindset moves from bright and bold to a place that’s more subtle and subdued, then back again. Like in the Lake Minnetonka cottage we designed (above), where key furnishings on the porch provide a neutral backdrop to summery pops.
That said, some color and pattern is worth committing to. Perhaps it’s a signature light fixture, a plush piece of furniture, or a soon-to-be-favorite work of art. For all the above and more, check out our picks below. And don’t rule out the possibility of upping that game of pickleball with, of all things, a little colorful pattern. Happy summer!
Design moment: We’re fans of the palette from the family-run Italian fabric company Dedar, and their jacquard velvets, like the ones here, are luscious. When we saw their Tiger Beat pattern in Papaya (which is an abstraction of a tiger’s stripes) on a tennis racket cover, we were in love!
Local art: Excelsior artist Missy Monson is the artist behind those fun hand-painted pickleball paddles, and her small florals, still lifes, and mostly coastal landscapes find their way into many of our designs. They just create this sense of happiness and relaxation.
Alfresco chic: Why not set your summertime table with zesty style? We put together this place setting with pieces from Ampersand (an orange melamine dessert/salad plate by Mario Luca and a Le Panier acrylic stemless wine glass, Basque Stripe napkin, and a Delft blue Straw Loop placemat, all by Juliska) for combining a look that’s effortlessly elegant and perfect for the porch or deck.
Seasonal cocktail: Sure, there are more vibrantly colored cocktails, but it’s hard to resist a refreshing Cucumber Smash this time of year. And it’s so easy to make, you’ll be back to your fun in no time! Muddle 1 teaspoon of sugar, 2 slices of cucumber, and 4 basil sprigs in an old-fashioned glass. Add 2 ounces of gin and crushed ice, then club soda (or lemon-lime soda if you lean toward something sweeter). Cheers!
Statement piece: Here’s some color I could live with for a long time—and have actually been wanting in my own home forever. Brooklyn-based Trueing suspends hand-blown orbs from colorful glass chains (amber and pink are two faves) in very cool compositions.
Design tip: Bring in pops of pattern and color with pieces you can easily swap out—like pillows and poufs—whenever you want to change things up.