'Grandma chic' interiors are on the rise, and with them, so is pattern mixing. This wide open briefing can feel intimidating (what patterns should you use? and how should you mix them?). Luckily, Freddie Mercury's foolproof formula of pairing tartan and florals provides a blueprint.
We spotted the Queen frontman's cleverly pattern-mixed interiors in an archival image from 1969, showcasing his Shepherd's Bush, London flat. Freddie plays guitar on a brown leather sofa, with a woven and tartan throw creating texture and pattern. Traditional floral wallpaper gives the walls a classic feel.
Once considered dated, we've seen both of these patterns surging in popularity. From the ditsy floral trend to ultra-stylish brands like Addison Ross creating a tartan collection, these stunning prints are more desirable than ever. To explore the granny chic look, here's a sneak peek into Freddie's apartment. I have also curated an edit of products for recreating his look, and spoken to experts to understand why this look works.
Recreate Freddie's Look at Home
Freddie Mercury brightens his wall with a Family Entertainment poster, and you can do the same thanks to the fact that eBay makes it easy to shop vintage pieces second hand. It would look gorgeous in a gold frame for an elevated twist.
An utterly classic floral motif that will always look beautiful in any season, in any year. The depth this colorway and motif adds to a room is quite extraordinary and can make an icy cold room feel much toastier and cozier almost instantly.
Potentially one of my favorite couches, this distressed faux-leather sofa is ultra-premium. It's crafted from solid oak with angled dowels and rolled arms, cultivating a vintage, minimalist aesthetic.
Traditional tartan meets feminine, country charm in this ruffle-edged cushion. Its pastel buttery yellow check and gathered trim make it a perfect accent for layered, lived-in sofas or cozy reading corners.
Freddie layers blankets to transform his sofa into a suptuous and cozy spot to sink in. This cable knit one from Target feels like if you turned your favorite sweater into a throw blanket.
Reversible and hypoallergenic, this Shetland wool throw reimagines tartan in vibrant pink and purple tones. Draped over an armchair or folded at the foot of the bed, it’s an easy cozy layering trick.
Though not all trends from the '70s are making a widespread return, looking at the interiors from this period is a great way to understand what worked about those spaces and how to translate it into a modern context. Tartan is one of those classic details. Its adjacency to stripes means it doesn't look too overwhelming, and it's a great way to integrate a mix of colors into any room.
As Freddie's space shows, the pattern looks even better when mixed with florals. Megan Slack, design expert and Head of Celebrity Style at Homes & Gardens explains: 'The clean lines of tartan contrasted with the earthy freedom of a floral print will always look fabulous. The key is to incorporate the prints in different parts of the room. Freddie's example of using a tartan throw with floral wallpaper is gorgeous, but you could also mix in a variety of throw pillows, upholstery, or even patterned furniture.'
Pattern drenching is all the rage, and Freddie's example is just one beautiful formula for making it work. How will you be styling a mix of patterns in your home?
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