Ep. 436: Color, Pattern, Texture with Vern Yip
The ladies welcome back interior designer, author, and TV personality Vern Yip to discuss his new book Color, Pattern, Texture: The Foundations to Make Your Home Your Own as well as his recently released HBO series Home Reimagined.
Vern breaks down a few designer secrets for how to use color, pattern, and texture together, why meaningful pieces and physical samples matter, and how to layer scale and tonal variation for rooms that feel personal and enduring. He also shares kid-friendly design tips, smart ways to compromise on shared spaces, and how to bring human scale and warmth to large, unconventional structure.
Quick Decorating Takeaways:
Start with meaningful, restrictive items (art, rugs, heirlooms) and then choose paint.
Use physical samples and an inspiration box—screens can’t convey scale, texture, or real color.
Layer many patterns by varying scale (extra-small to extra-large) for richness.
Use tonal variation (not exact matches) to create depth and longevity.
If you avoid pattern, amplify texture and contrast finishes (rough vs. smooth, matte vs. shiny).
For small rooms: fewer, larger pieces (e.g., a sectional + swivel) often feel more spacious than many small items.
What You’ll Hear on This Episode:
00:00 Welcome & Introductions
01:00 Vern Yip: New book Color Pattern Texture
03:00 Why color, pattern, texture matter together
07:00 Where to start — meaningful items vs. paint chips
10:30 The Inspiration Box: collect tactile samples
14:00 Pattern layering by scale & practical benefits
18:30 Texture’s role when pattern is limited
22:00 Tonal variation vs. exact color matching
26:00 Color, pattern, texture dictionaries & cheat sheets
30:00 Kids’ rooms: give them voice + longevity tips
36:00 Balancing opposite partner styles — finding compromise
42:00 Designing for large volumes — bringing human scale
49:00 Vern’s show Home Reimagined — pilot & episodes
54:00 Listener dilemma: small mountain cabin layout advice
01:08 Closing notes & where to find Vern
Decorating Dilemma:
Hi Melissa,
Great job—your cabin already feels warm and personal. Vern applauds your pattern-forward choices (that rug and Francis Floral pillows are perfect) and suggests orienting seating to make the fireplace/TV the clear focal point. His practical solution: swap the sectional so it faces the mantle/TV, add a swivel chair for flexible conversation/viewing, and favor fewer, larger pieces (a well-scaled sectional + one or two chairs) to make the small room feel more expansive and comfortable.
Vern also notes lowering the mantle and using floor-to-ceiling drapery, appropriately scaled lighting, and a substantial rug will bring human scale and coziness to the lofty elements.
You’re on the right track — these tweaks will maximize seating and make the space more functional without losing your Ralph Lauren–inspired vibe.
— How to Decorate
Also Mentioned:
Color, Pattern, Texture: The Foundations to Make Your Home Your Own (Order Now; pub. Oct 14)
Home Reimagined (pilot streaming now on Magnolia / HBO Max / Discovery+; new episodes before year end)
Vern Yip on Instagram & Facebook: @vernypdesigns
Vern’s book signing: Ballard Designs Atlanta (Oct 23) - RSVP HERE: https://bit.ly/3KYMlJO
Shop Ballard Designs | Website
Please send in your questions so we can answer them on our next episode! And of course, subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can always check back here to see new episodes, but if you subscribe, it’ll automatically download to your phone.
Happy Decorating!
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