A masterclass in high-pigment living by Isabel Ladd Interiors. We tour a Lexington, KY, home that uses vibrant hues and unexpected patterns.
For Isabel Ladd, founder of Isabel Ladd Interiors, a room isn’t finished until it has a “jolt.” Ladd operates on a high-energy frequency of “pattern-pattern-pattern,” a creative obsession rooted in her professional background in textile design.
While many designers steer clients toward safe, neutral palettes for resale value, Ladd advocates for “curated maximalism”—an approach that gives homeowners permission to evolve and inhabit a space that is as bold and layered as their own history.
In this Lexington, Kentucky, project, the homeowners sought out Ladd specifically because they loved her fearless approach to design. Having worked with her before, they arrived with a deep appreciation for her signature style. Ladd’s process avoids the typical “what’s your favorite color” questionnaire; instead, she spends time ascertaining a client’s specific vibe and energy. By setting a specific artistic direction from the start, Ladd was able to transform a blank beige slate into a deeply collected reflection of the family’s lives, reinforcing her design philosophy that a busy family life is never an excuse to sacrifice style.
The dining room serves as a masterclass in pattern play, anchored by a bold wallpaper from Thibaut. While many equate Isabel Ladd with a love for color, she notes that it is her use of visual complexity and “pattern-drenching” that truly sets her work apart. We find patterns in the wallpaper, fabric on the dining chairs, the table runner, the rug, and even two different patterns on the draperies. The real drama, however, happens on the fifth wall: the tray ceiling is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Herb Garden, creating a saturated green canopy that connects the indoor space to the Kentucky landscape visible through the windows.
Anchored by a massive, floral-patterned rug that dictates the color thread for the entire open floor plan, the living room serves as a vibrant study in contrast. To ground the high energy of the patterns, Ladd filled the space with a plush navy velvet sofa and a pair of upholstered armchairs in a subtle blue pattern with orange piping. The secret to the room’s success is what Ladd calls “the weird”—that one unexpected color or texture that breaks the rules. While the room is predominantly swathed in blues and greens, she injected unusual pops of orange to prevent the space from feeling too predictable. Punchy orange appears in the draperies by Lacefield Designs, the artwork, and the pillows by Mind the Gap. A teal-striped ottoman serves as a central focal point, while a mix of silhouettes—from traditional upholstered armchairs to a sculptural woven side chair, ensures the space feels collected over time.
In the eating area off the kitchen, Ladd introduced architectural interest through texture rather than just paint. The wet bar features handmade Zellige tiles, chosen for their imperfect, wavy surface. Layered on top are playful gold sconces. To keep the eye moving, Ladd utilized the tray ceiling as a design opportunity, installing a subtle Thibaut floral wallpaper. A woven rattan and rope light fixture adds a structural, bohemian note that softens the high-gloss green cabinetry in the kitchen. This layering of artisanal finishes feels curated but not overly fussy.
If the rest of the house is a conversation, the bathroom is a joyful shout. Ladd loves a bathroom that “screams happiness,” and this space delivers through a sophisticated play on scale. She layered different pattern sizes (using a large floral on the walls and a smaller trellis pattern by CW Stockwell on the ceiling and in the hallway) to create a room that feels expansive despite its footprint. A deep navy vanity with a marble top provides a saturated anchor for the room, while a circular gold mirror reflects the high-energy, pattern-drenched environment.
In the primary bedroom, Ladd created an enveloping, restful sanctuary. Once again, this room utilizes the technique of pattern drenching, but in this instance a single motif is repeated throughout. The delicate Indian floral pattern by Schumacher appears on the custom draperies and the bed skirt, with a coordinating pattern placed on the Euro shams and accent chair. To ensure the soft palette didn’t feel “flat,” Ladd introduced her signature jolt of energy through color and global textures.
A vibrant, multi-colored vintage Suzani throw is layered over the bed, while a pair of pleated chartreuse lampshades add a sharp, modern punch against the light blue walls. The ceiling is once again included in the story, painted in a soft sky blue to enhance the sense of being completely cocooned within the space.
“Maximalism done right is curated and collected; everything has its place,” Ladd reflects. The result is a richly layered world to explore—one where pattern, color, and the weird come together in thoughtful balance. Perhaps that’s the most effortlessly chic approach of all.
TEXT BY JASMINE BIBLE + PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREW KUNG
— We shared this House Tour: Curated Maximalism story with you in the Summer 2026 issue of NEST Magazine.
