Prime Highlights
- Katie Harbison promotes a “palette over pattern” approach to achieve calm, timeless interiors.
- She believes natural materials and unified tones help homes feel more grounded and cohesive.
Key Facts
- Harbison often uses linen, oak, and stone as foundational materials because they age beautifully.
- Patterns are used sparingly in her designs so they complement the space instead of overwhelming it.
Background:
Interior designer Katie Harbison, the new Editor-at-Large for Homes & Gardens’ By Design, is sharing a straightforward approach to creating homes that feel timeless, calm, and naturally elegant. In her latest piece, Harbison explains why she rarely relies on bold patterns and instead focuses on building spaces around thoughtful palettes and long-lasting materials.
Harbison clarifies that she does not oppose pattern as a design tool. Used well, prints can add charm and character to a room. Her design philosophy, however, centres on how a home will feel years from now. Patterns, she notes, are often tied to trends and tend to date more quickly, while well-chosen palettes maintain their relevance over time.
According to Harbison, timeless interiors begin with materials that age beautifully, linen, oak, and natural stone. These elements create a calm, neutral base that supports colour and texture throughout the home. She believes that when a palette is consistent, the entire house feels more grounded and cohesive, allowing each room to transition smoothly into the next.
She also describes the emotional power of a unified palette. Rather than overwhelming the senses, it provides a sense of calm and “visual rest,” helping architectural details, craftsmanship, and natural textures stand out. Pattern, in her approach, becomes a carefully placed highlight rather than the star of the room. Powder rooms, children’s spaces, Persian rugs, and natural veining in stone are some of the places she believes pattern can truly shine.
Inspired by her time in Florence, Harbison appreciates the relaxed, confident style of Italian interiors, where tone and texture lead the design rather than heavy decoration. For her, choosing a clear palette over bold patterns helps create homes that feel personal, age well, and stay timeless.
