Mixing Pattern & Color with Catherine Branstetter
Meet Catherine of Catherine Branstetter Interiors! Based in Nashville, TN, she’s a master at using color and pattern to create beautiful yet cozy spaces. We love seeing what she designs for her clients and how she makes each space truly unique. Read on to learn more about Catherine and how she designed her Coley Home pieces.
Tell us about yourself and how you got to where you are today!
My love for design dates back to when I was a little girl. I grew up in Arlington, Virginia, where my mom was an interior designer. She would work at her drafting table, and I would pretend to draw floor plans next to her at my miniature drafting table. I’d tag along with her to the office in Georgetown, antique shops, and designer showhouses.
Somewhere along the way, I thought I wanted to be a news anchor, so I attended the University of Georgia and received a degree in Broadcast Journalism. I quickly discovered that this was not my calling and realized I was meant to follow in my mom’s footsteps and work in interior design.
I was hired by Carter Kay Interiors, where I worked for almost six years. I was so fortunate to learn from Carter and to live just a few blocks from ADAC, with all the design showrooms at my fingertips. I moved to Nashville in 2019 with my husband Austin (a native Nashvillian) and began working for Rachel Halvorson Designs.
After our son Charlie was born in 2021, I started my own business and haven’t looked back since. We had our daughter Lily in 2023 and—well, life is busy, to say the least. :) It can be hard to juggle it all in this season, but I feel so blessed to have two healthy, beautiful children, a supportive husband, and wonderful clients.
How do you approach mixing color and pattern in a space?
Without fear! I’ve been specifying paint colors I never imagined—rosy pinks, sunny yellows, and berry reds, just to name a few. I think the key is using bold colors, patterns, and wallpapers in places that call for it.
I love a fun wallpaper and coordinating painted trim in a powder room, study, or guest bedroom. But I think primary bedrooms and baths should be more serene. If I’m going bold with paint, I usually flip open my Farrow & Ball deck first—they have the most beautiful, saturated colors. Color without looking like you went through a Crayola box for inspo.
Do you typically follow the 60:30:10 rule when mixing colors and patterns?
Short answer—no! My design process usually begins with a “wow” fabric we love (i.e., the fun pattern or print that will be the star of the show). Then we build the other fabrics, paint colors, and finishes around it.
The Lola Swivel Glider in Ticking, Rose Petal**We've discontinued Ticking, Rose Petal, but our Pinstripe, Shell is a close alternative!*
In an ideal world, I select the fabrics (or at least the main one) before choosing paint colors. In most cases, a mix of pattern, scale, color, and texture makes for a more interesting room. But lately, I have been wanting to use a coordinating fabric and wallpaper so the entire room is drenched in one pattern.
The Crown Bed - Charlotte in Rattan, Rose Quartz with Como, Kelly Green Welt and Simply White Finish
So, it goes to show—there really isn’t one hard-and-fast rule. It depends on what my client is loving, what mood I’m in, where I’ve just traveled, or even the season. I work hard to create spaces that feel truly unique to the client, incorporating pieces they love and that feel like their home—versus one “Catherine Branstetter signature look.”
Color & pattern play seem to be very in right now, is there a favorite fabric or wallpaper you’re eyeing for any upcoming projects?
Ah yes—so many! I just used Studio Humbug’s Horticulture in Moss wallpaper in a client’s powder room, and it turned out so fun! We went with Farrow & Ball’s Sudbury Yellow on the trim and planking, and it is such a happy space. Is it weird that I want to hang out in that bathroom?! I’ve really been loving yellows at the moment.
I also really love Schuyler Samperton’s Caledonia fabric and wallpaper pattern. I’m planning to use the Grasshopper Green colorway in a client’s bar.
Where do you personally look for inspiration—travel, fashion, art?
Travel, always! I come home from trips feeling so inspired. For me, it’s as much about being in a new environment as it is about unplugging. I’m glued to my laptop at home, but when we go on vacation, I try not to open it and instead read design magazines. It’s a great way to hit refresh and return to the office excited about scheming up the next project.
My husband Austin and I traveled to the Amalfi Coast in May, and it truly feels like a postcard. Our hotels—Palazzo Avino in Ravello and Punta Tragara in Capri—were incredibly inspiring. Figuring out where to stay is my favorite (and arguably most important!) part of planning any trip.
We also just returned from Nantucket with our kids, and the island (along with most of New England) is loaded with charm, beauty, and inspiration. This was our fourth summer on ACK, and I always leave wishing we could stay longer. I could bike around the cobblestone streets lined with shingled cottages and climbing roses all summer long. There’s something magical about the island—the design aesthetic and the whole vibe really speaks to my inner “Nancy Meyers / coastal grandma” persona.
Is there a specific design element or trend you always try to incorporate into your projects, no matter the size or scope?
I almost always include something rattan, bamboo, or tortoise in the spaces I design. I love incorporating natural elements, and rattan has always been a favorite.
That, and a stripe! It’s rare for a stripe not to make its way into one of my schemes. My four-year-old says my favorite color is “blue and white stripes.” :)
The Ivy Ottoman in Linen Stripe, Shell - Vertical with Linen Fringe, Moonstone
What are your favorite areas to splurge when decorating your home, and favorite places to save?
Splurge: Antiques and art! These are the pieces that make a room shine. If a piece of art speaks to you—buy it! You’ll always find a place for it. Same goes for antiques. You know those “one that got away” antiques that still haunt you? There’s nothing worse! A pretty antique you love should go home with you.
I also think clients are often surprised by the cost of custom drapery (if they haven’t done them before). But there’s no question they complete the room—and they’re worth it once installed.
Save: I think it goes without saying that kids’ rooms and playrooms don’t need the most expensive fabrics, lighting, or rugs. I have a two- and four-year-old, so we’re hard on furnishings these days. Luckily, there are so many great, affordable sources out there for these spaces—think Pooky Lighting, Schoolhouse, and of course Coley Home for upholstery.
Favorite recipe - food or cocktail?
Good wine, good friends, and a husband who can cook — that’s my kind of recipe! :) I’m more into setting the table than cooking the meal, but I recently hosted a pink-themed dinner for my girlfriends in honor of my mom and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For me, the best recipe is always the one that brings people together.
Drink-wise: A glass of Sancerre or Pinot Noir is my go-to, but “Attitude” Sauvignon Blanc is another favorite. And after a long week? An extra dirty martini with blue cheese olives.
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