By Mi-Ling Stone Poole

Q.  I received some almost new furniture from my grandmother and it’s beautiful and very comfortable, but it does not go with my living room decor. I have animal prints in the living room and the couch is a red/cream plaid, with accent pillows in large flowers of the same colors. It also has some green in it, but not dominant. The matching chair is the same as the accent pillows, large flowers. I love the furniture and would like to decorate my living room to go with it. Any suggestions?

— Brandy Hansen

A:  I have found that florals and leopard prints work well together. I’m not sure if you have leopard, zebra or something else, but here’s a tip on mixing and matching patterns. If you have the same color tones you can mix and match the patterns…it just takes a little courage. You don’t want the patterns to fight with one another they should compliment each other. Try using a small, medium and large pattern in your design. You can add a solid green or cream pillow and accent with your animal prints.  Find three colors that you like and use them consistently.

Photo Credit: Mi-Ling Stone Poole
Designer: Susan Dees