Patricia McLean
Patricia McLean Interiors, Inc., Atlanta, GA
What markets do you attend?
I frequent the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center and started my career working in a showroom there as a graduate of the University of Georgia. I am very loyal to ADAC and frequent the AmericasMart Center during markets. I am an anglophile and have attended Decorex in London many times as well as Maison & Objet in Paris. I grew up partly in High Point and frequent the international markets there.
Do you have a favorite source, fiber, or fabric style?
I use Moattar, Ltd. at ADAC, Keivan Woven Arts (in photo) for antique rugs, and Stark Carpets, Patterson, Flynn & Martin, and Designer Carpets at ADAC for reproduction rugs and carpets.
I particularly like wool fibers. I love Serapis, Oushaks, Heriz, Sultanabads, you name it. I use seagrass and sisal also for affordable area rugs or wall to wall under antique rugs. I do like leopard patterns also. I used a very beautiful subtle one for the St. Regis Residence Showhouse Master Bedroom (shown on this page).
Do you find yourself following any particular trends or design rules?
Many of the antique reproductions are very appealing to me, more than they used to be, as the techniques are so much better now. Abrash seems to be able to be copied nicely, and the colors are more like true vegetable dyes.
I adhere to the idea that scale is of primary importance. I often begin the room from the rug. It is the foundation for many of my schemes. The colors for the fabrics and walls come from there. Also I like fine fabrics and find the colors often blend well with antique rugs.
What is your balance between new and antique rugs?
More antiques, close to 90% I would say. I never buy online or by catalog, as I like to see the rugs. Once in a while if it is something I have used before or seen in person, I might purchase a reproduction online or by catalog.
Want to see more? Go to www.mcleaninteriors.com
