The Look: Think of Jacobean as the "fairy tale forest" of fabrics. Originating in England during the reign of King James I, Jacobean designs feature winding branches, "Tree of Life" motifs, and stylized flowers and animals.​

The Vibe: Old-world drama and historical richness.

Best Pairing: Perfect for wingback chairs or heavy drapes in a traditional or "Grandmillennial" living room.

The Look: Brocade is the royalty of textiles. It’s a thick, heavy fabric where the pattern is woven into the cloth (often with metallic threads) rather than printed on top, creating a raised, embossed effect.​

The Vibe: Opulent, formal, and serious.

Best Pairing: Use it on formal dining chairs or throw pillows to add a touch of luxury to a velvet sofa.

The Look: Check, sometimes called “gingham”, is the simpler cousin of plaid. A true check pattern resembles a chessboard—just two colors (one usually white) interacting in symmetrical, even squares.​

The Vibe: Crisp, clean, and classic.

Best Pairing: A staple for farmhouse kitchens or cottage-style sunrooms.

The Look: Pronounced "ee-kat," Ikat involves tie-dyeing the threads before weaving. The result is a signature "blurry" or bleeding edge to the pattern, which often features diamond or geometric shapes.

The Vibe: Global, energetic, and bohemian.

Best Pairing: adds a traveled, collected-over-time feel to eclectic living rooms or boho bedrooms.

The Look: Bold and breezy. Awning stripes are wide, confident stripes, usually alternating a solid color with white. They are perfect for making a space feel taller, wider, or more playful.

The Vibe: Coastal cool and summery.

Best Pairing: Outdoor furniture, sunroom cushions, or a statement armchair in a nautical-themed room.

The Look: Typically found on men’s silk ties, the Foulard pattern features a small-scale, repeating print (often little geometric shapes). It’s neat, tidy, and often set on a lightweight fabric.

The Vibe: Sophisticated, preppy, and tailored.

Best Pairing: Works well in a home office or library, perhaps on an ottoman or accent pillows.

The Look: Floral is the garden party of the fabric world. From realistic botanical prints (chintz) to abstract blooms, this category covers anything featuring flowers.

The Vibe: Romantic, feminine, and fresh.

Best Pairing: A floral accent chair can breathe life into a neutral room. Large-scale florals feel modern, while tiny buds feel vintage.

The Look: Technically a type of weave rather than a specific pattern, "Jacquard" refers to any fabric where the design is woven directly into the structure using a special loom. It allows for complex, intricate patterns with texture.

The Vibe: Substantial and high-quality.

Best Pairing: Because it’s durable, it’s excellent for high-traffic upholstery like family sofas.

The Look: A dynamic zigzag pattern. Chevron is made from repeated “V” shapes—graphic, upbeat, and great when a room needs movement without feeling busy.

The Vibe: High-energy and modern.

Best Pairing: Great for rugs, throw blankets, or kids' rooms where you want to add movement and fun.

The Look: Medallion features a large, symmetrical central motif (usually circular or diamond-shaped) that repeats. Often inspired by Middle Eastern or Victorian designs.

The Vibe: Anchored and elegant.

Best Pairing: Because the motif is large, it shines on flat surfaces like area rugs or the back of a dining chair.

The Look: A close relative of Ikat, Jaspe (pronounced "has-peh") is a Guatemalan resist-dye technique. It typically features streaky, marbled lines or "space-dyed" effects that look like ripples of water or wood grain.

The Vibe: Rustic, textural, and artisanal.

Best Pairing: Looks stunning in western or rustic interiors, adding depth without overwhelming the eye.

The Look: Imagine a UPC code on a price tag, but make it fashion. Barcode features lots of thin, uneven lines clustered together—sleek, graphic, and great for breaking away from the rigidity of standard stripes.

The Vibe: Contemporary and edgy.

Best Pairing: Ideal for modern apartments or industrial lofts to add visual interest without traditional clutter.

The Look: A curvy lattice made from mirrored S-shapes—often reads like soft “onion” arches and feels globally inspired or glam, depending on color. It has roots in Persian and Gothic architecture.

The Vibe: Exotic yet orderly.

Best Pairing: A fantastic choice for transitional spaces—it bridges the gap between geometric modernism and traditional curves.

The Look: The famous "teardrop" or "kidney" shape with a curved upper end. It originated in Persia (the boteh) and became a craze in the West via Scottish weavers.

The Vibe: Psychedelic-meets-traditional. It can be boho or buttoned-up depending on the color.

Best Pairing: Rich jewel-toned paisley looks incredible in a study or den, while brighter versions suit a boho-chic living room.

The Look: A pattern of stripes crossing at right angles. Unlike a check pattern, plaid involves multiple colors and varying stripe widths.

The Vibe: Cozy, warm, and traditional.

Best Pairing: The ultimate choice for a cozy cabin aesthetic or a holiday-ready throw blanket.

The Look: A repeating array of simple filled circles. Named after the polka dance craze of the 19th century, it’s one of the most recognizable patterns in history.

The Vibe: Playful, retro, and energetic.

Best Pairing: Best used in small doses—like on an accent pillow or a nursery armchair—to add a pop of fun.

The Look: Meaning "four leaves" in Latin, this shape looks like a four-leaf clover or a flower with four petals. It’s a staple of Gothic and Renaissance architecture.

The Vibe: Architectural and lucky.

Best Pairing: Commonly seen on rugs, garden stools, and latticework furniture, it adds a graphic punch to any room.

The Look: Short for "Toile de Jouy", this pattern features complex pastoral scenes printed in a single color (usually blue, red, or black) on a white background.

The Vibe: Vintage French farmhouse.

Best Pairing: A bedroom or guest room showcasing toile pieces makes a bold, classic statement.