I do not think that adjusting the size of the strips will take away from the pattern. The layout and fabric choice really make the quilt.
Isn't there always a but....
When I made the quilt for my niece, I used 6 colours, with 2 1/2 inch strips (2 inch finished). The pattern results in a square quilt, but she wanted it rectangular. I just made more blocks and arranged them as if the pattern was continuing on outwards.
Dee