Tricia Guild Tempts Us to Go Crazy with Color

By Marni Elyse Katz
November 1, 2010

Master of the Art of Seduction by Color could be the perfect pseudonym for designer Tricia Guild, whose fabric and wallpaper designs tempt us to experiment with patterns and palettes we never would have dreamed to try. Since 1970, Guild's luxury furnishing company, aptly named Designers Guild, has been churning out a dizzying array of patterns and prints that are at once feminine and fresh, energetic and calming. Tricia Guild's fifteenth book, Tricia Guild: Colors, Patterns, and Space (Rizzoli New York, 2010) out this month, showcases a mix of color-drenched spaces, including a New York City loft, a Paris pied-a-terre, a French chateau, and an Ibiza seaside retreat. Guild took a moment from her design and travel schedule to chat with us and shop on eBay for pieces that inspire her designer patterns and fabrics.

The Inside Source: What inspires the gorgeous and creative color palettes of your designer fabrics and wallpapers?

Tricia Guild: Mother Nature is probably the greatest inspiration—the colors in a garden are always an exercise in what works with what. And my travels.

The Inside Source: What's your dream trip?

Tricia Guild: India, India, India. I have been traveling to the sub continent for thirty years and it never ceases to amaze me; the majesty of Rajasthan, the tropical wonder of Kerala. A dream trip would last for months and incorporate as much of India as I could fit in! I would love to go to Bhutan, too.

The Inside Source: What are you favorite cities?

Tricia Guild: My favorite cities are London and New York, both for their energy and vibrancy. I adore Paris, and Florence is always beautiful and food for the soul. Stockholm has a refined elegance that I love, and Tokyo for the juxtaposition of ancient and fiercely modern.

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Tricia Guild: Colors, Patterns and Space (photos by James Merrell)
Bright pastels are an unexpectedly youthful addition to an otherwise grand room.
A daringly low-hanging chandelier becomes the focal point of the light-filled space.
A palette of crocus, pink, and gray gives a feminine feel and warmth to this master bedroom.
Lots of black and white bind the geometric patterns, smart stripes, and florals together, keeping the space fresh, rather than fussy.
This family room is decorated in clear, bright colors, including a tomato red and a strong acid yellow.

The Inside Source: Anything else that is inspiring your fabric designs and wallpaper prints right now?

Tricia Guild: The Opera. I am a complete addict and go as often as I can. The wonderment of the music, the costumes, the marvelous voices, the extravagant sets, and the whole magic of going to the theatre is always inspiring.

The Inside Source: What was your earliest design moment?

Tricia Guild: Gardening with my grandfather and deciding which color sweet peas to plant!”

The Inside Source: Are there certain interior design eras that you adore?

Tricia Guild: I love the eccentricity of the '40s and the streamlined elegance of Art Deco. I also love mid-century European furniture.

The Inside Source: Do you have any home decor collections?

Tricia Guild: I am crazy about ceramics and have a collection of work by Bruce McLean. His work is totally intriguing—more like sculpture and crafted with a quirky originality and subtle humor that is all his own. I also love contemporary art and have work from Howard Hodgkin, Craigie Aitchison, Bill Jacklin, and Michael Heindorff, to name but a few.

The Inside Source: Do you have tips for home decorators who are afraid or uncertain how to mix color, pattern, and texture?

Tricia Guild: Go for it! It is so rewarding when your home truly reflects your personality and likes and dislikes. There is a thought that you will tire easily of stronger colors, but I wholeheartedly disagree. If you truly love something, the chances are you will always love it. If you use strong color, I advocate using white or natural ceilings, and keeping your color combinations to just a few carefully selected ones rather than layering on multiple ones.