How To Use Color, Pattern, and Texture to Tell Personal Stories with Vern Yip
In this final episode of the season, I get to sit down with the one and only Vern Yip—yes, that Vern Yip! You probably know him from his trailblazing days on design television, but today he joins me to talk about his beautiful new book, Color, Pattern, Texture. We dive into everything from the deeply personal story of a scroll his mother carried while fleeing communist China, to how he uses those kinds of meaningful objects as the foundation for timeless design. Vern shares why starting with what matters most to you—not trends—creates homes that are layered, enduring, and uniquely yours. We look closely at some of the spaces from his book, break down why they work, and talk about the emotional side of design: how a room can tell your story, reflect who you are, and even help you step into who you want to become.
Watch this entire episode on YouTube HERE
KEY TAKEAWAYS
In the season finale of the Slow Style Home podcast, I had the honor of sitting down with celebrity designer Vern Yip. Known for bringing interior design into our living rooms through groundbreaking TV shows, Vern has a new book out, Color, Pattern, Texture, and he joined me to talk about the stories behind the spaces we love, why design should start with meaning, and how homes can grow with us over time.
The Story That Shapes It All
One of the most moving parts of our conversation was Vern’s story about his mother. When his parents fled communist China, they had to leave nearly everything behind. His mother carried with her two ink paintings of birds on scrolls, folded into her belongings. Those creases—still visible today—are part of the beauty and the story. For Vern, those paintings represent sacrifice, resilience, and hope. They also became the inspiration for one of his fabric and wallpaper designs: a bird-and-branch pattern available in a range of colorways.
His point is powerful: design that begins with meaning endures. Whether it’s a family heirloom, a travel memento, or something small that carries big emotions, starting with significance gives a room purpose.
Why Meaning Outlasts Trends
Vern stressed that beautiful rooms rooted only in current trends quickly lose their luster. But when a space is designed around meaningful pieces, it grows with you. He compared it to collecting objects on a honeymoon or saving sea glass from childhood beach trips. These stories not only inform your design decisions, they make your rooms unique, layered, and deeply personal.
Inspiration Beyond the Screen
We also talked about the importance of stepping away from screens. Vern encourages finding inspiration “in the wild”—whether on a walk, on vacation, or by simply noticing the textures, colors, and moods of your surroundings. Technology is great, but real life offers nuance you can’t capture through pixels. Scale, texture, even scent can transform how you respond to an object or space.
He shared an example of a client whose design was inspired by sea glass collected with her children. Those subtle, ocean-washed colors became the palette for an entire room. The result was not just beautiful, but deeply personal.
Homes That Reflect Who You Are—and Who You Want to Be
One of my favorite takeaways was Vern’s reminder that a home doesn’t just tell your story of who you are—it can also reflect who you want to become. He described a client who dreamed of someday living in Brazil. By weaving Brazilian influences—colors, textures, and artifacts—into his current home, he was able to live inside that dream every day. Eventually, he did make that move, but the design itself helped nurture the vision.
Breaking Down Color, Pattern, and Texture
Vern walked me through specific images from his book, showing how color, pattern, and texture work together:
Contrast matters. Shiny against matte, organic against geometric, bold against subtle—juxtaposition gives each element its moment to shine.
Color sets mood. A single pattern in three colorways can shift from light and airy to moody to playful. The emotional impact of color is deeply personal.
Texture takes the lead in neutrals. In monochromatic rooms, layers of texture are essential to keep things rich and interesting.
Balance of shapes. Straight lines and curves play off each other beautifully, making each feel more dynamic.
Mixing Eras and Styles
Vern is a big believer in blending old and new. Antique rugs layered with sleek modern furniture, ornate details set against simple lines—these contrasts bring out the best in both worlds. As he explained, when everything in a room is antique, the beauty can feel overwhelming; when everything is ultra-modern, it can feel cold. The sweet spot is in the mix.
Design Without Rules—But With Thought
Perhaps the biggest theme of our conversation was that design isn’t about rigid rules. It’s about thoughtful choices. Vern encouraged us to focus on honesty: what do you love, how do you want to feel in your space, and what story do you want your home to tell? Whether it’s an etching from the Louvre, a family scroll, or a bowl picked up on a trip, what matters is the story it carries and the meaning it holds for you.
This conversation with Vern Yip left me inspired and excited to bring even more meaning into my own spaces. Homes are not just about aesthetics; they’re about reflection, growth, and joy. As Vern reminds us, design has the power to honor our past, enrich our present, and help us step into our future.
What struck me most is how design, at its best, is never finished. A meaningful home is always evolving—layer by layer, memory by memory. It shifts as we grow, adding depth and resonance over time. And when we allow our spaces to be shaped by the objects and stories that truly matter to us, they become much more than decorated rooms—they become living reflections of our journeys, our aspirations, and the people we love.
As we close this season of the podcast, I couldn’t have asked for a more thoughtful conversation to end on. Vern’s wisdom is a reminder that slowing down, choosing with intention, and celebrating the stories behind our things is what makes home truly feel like home. I hope this episode inspires you to look around your own rooms with fresh eyes and ask yourself: what story am I telling here, and what story do I want to tell next?
Until Next Time
-Zandra