A layered approach to sprucing up a home's decor

Combining patterns, textures, colors and accessories in unexpected ways can add a new dimension to a space. "Layering," as interior designers call it, can transform rooms from boring and unfinished to exciting and complete.

"The best layering in design should look natural," says designer and blogger Linda Leyble of The Colorful Bee in Great River.

Leyble points out similarities between layering in design and layering in fashion. "Most of us innately understand the art of layering in fashion, even if we think we don't," she says. "We do it unconsciously every day. We add a sweater over a shirt and then add a scarf with a similar color scheme. We add jewelry in the same colorway, plus shoes, a purse and other accessories that blend. But when it comes to our rooms, we either err on the side of blandness or we go overboard with too much stuff."

Here is the work of five designers that incorporated layering meant to showcase each homeowner's personal style.

LAYERING WITH PATTERNS

Earlier this year, designer Marlaina Teich gave a complete makeover to the sitting room at this South Merrick home. "The space was outdated with wall-to-wall carpeting, wallpaper border around the room and overhead lighting," says Teich, whose design studio is in Bellmore. "I wanted to design a look that was classic with an edge."

Teich used a gray and gold color palette, starting with the boldest pattern first -- a graphic wallpaper on an accent wall. To continue the theme, she added a chevron pattern fabric for the window treatments, a Moroccan patterned area rug, a striped pattern chair, an animal print chenille fabric on the armchair and a distressed leather sofa to tie in the look.

"The space is intimate, so I repeated the colors throughout the space in the patterns used, in order not to overwhelm the eye," she adds. "All these patterns together create a subtle energy."

DESIGNER TIP: "It is important to take into consideration the scale of the patterns used," Teich says. "A mix of pattern scale, as well as the proportion it's used in a room, is important in finding just the right balance."

LAYERING WITH MATERIALS

Designer Kerith Flynn of Margali and Flynn Designs combines a variety of materials -- limestone, wood, marble and sisal -- in this East Hampton kitchen. "I layer everything," says Flynn, who is based in Williston Park. "The clients were looking for a bright, comfortable and highly functional kitchen to entertain family and friends."

To create a warm, casual look, Flynn mixed dark and light hues, layering white wood cabinetry with a dark walnut center island. To add more interest and texture, marble countertops were layered with a marble mosaic backsplash. She placed limestone flooring in the indoor and outdoor space, separated by sliding doors. To minimize the height and scale of the space with its 10-foot ceilings, she used a blue sisal wallpaper and pendant lights over the island.

DESIGNER TIP: "When layering, you need to be careful not to clutter a space with too many different patterns or accessories -- sometimes less can be more," Flynn says.

LAYERING WITH ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS

Woodbury designer Robyn Baumgarten focused her attention on the main living space -- the living room, sitting room and foyer -- of this Fort Salonga home by adding architectural details throughout.

"My client purchased a beautiful home with great bones," she says. "The problem was the colors, mantels and moldings were very dated."

Baumgarten created a neutral palette with dark floors. She arched the entryways, added wainscoting and paneling to the walls and crown and base moldings. She removed the existing fireplace and staircase and replaced them with a more glamorous look. Other elements in the process include the refinishing of the floors, custom cabinetry and molding around the doorways. "Molding is very important, and that was very key in this house."

The mantel in the living room was crafted with layers of wood. "We ripped the old fireplace out and did an entirely new design," she says. "I wanted the mantel to have simple lines, yet make a major statement."

DESIGNER TIP: "Decide what your focal point of the room is -- where your eye is drawn to. Maybe the art makes a statement. Maybe the pillows make a statement. Or maybe it is the rug."

LAYERING WITH ACCESSORIES

To add dimension and interest to the foyer of this Hewlett Neck home, designer Kate Singer layered with decorative accessories. "This is a family of four children," says Singer, based in Huntington. "It is a busy household." The foyer is the first thing guests see when they walk into the house. "The style is a blend of casual elegance," says Singer. She started layering with the largest piece first -- the wall mirror. An antique oil painting is placed in front of the mirror, along with two different-size enamel boxes that also hold keys, a vessel of fresh flowers and a ceramic lamp that provides soft lighting to the space, especially in the evening. Underneath the mother-of-pearl console is a rustic basket that can hide clutter.

DESIGNER TIP: Singer suggests highlighting a few interesting pieces, as she did in here. "You can have too many layers, and the items may start to appear cluttered and may detract from one another rather than enhance and add interest to the space," she says.

LAYERING WITH FABRIC

Designer Margreet Cevasco uses fabric to change the ambience in some of the rooms of her Sea Cliff home. "I almost always change my furniture and window treatments seasonally to change the feel of the space to reflect the weather," says Cevasco. "I try to use solid textural fabrics that lend themselves to modification through layering of interesting patterns or contrasting color."

In the summer, she adds a taupe linen runner to two dark gray chairs that sit in her living room, which gives the area an overall lighter look. In the winter, she removes the fabric on the chairs and uses a fur throw. "Using fabrics allows you to add color without committing to the color permanently," she says. "It can change the look of an otherwise very basic piece."

Layering for Cevasco can also be practical and functional. "The linen runner protects the chair from my cat's paws -- it is easy to remove and wash," she says.

The window treatments -- a mix of woven wood shades with simple drapery panels -- also serve a dual role. The shades control the light and provide privacy, and the drapery adds pattern and design.

DESIGNER TIP: "As in fashion, accessorizing must be done with a sense of balance and restraint," Cevasco explains. "Editing and knowing when to stop is the most important element of any art form."