“Butterflies can be ordered and architectural,” says designer Jason Wilde, describing the zoological portrayals and museum prints he favors. Organized specimens displayed with wings wide are replicated on eye-catching fabrics, wall coverings, artwork and inside framed exhibits.
“Butterflies are like an organized floral pattern that brings nature in, but at the same time, they’re not fussy or grandma-flowery,” says Wilde, who views them as a response to a desire for cleaner, more tailored interiors. A master at mixing and layering patterns, Wilde considers butterflies an ideal foil for open, abstract florals. “They become a contrasting geometric that creates balance.” Wilde has used butterfly wallpaper to form “an instant museum wall,” and loves the idea of a chair completely covered in the motif. “If that’s too much for someone, a single butterfly pillow is a good place to start,” he says.