Style focus: Pattern
Frequently, the home interiors world looks to its fashion equivalent for ideas on fabrics and styles. And this year the hit trend has been patterns. During spring and summer both the catwalk and the high street were full of a multitude of patterns and pretty prints, sometimes cleverly put together to complement each other, but just as often designed to violently clash. We’ve seen florals, various breeds of animal prints, paisley, spots and stripes, all in vivid colours.
Accessories
The easiest way to incorporate pattern into your living space is simply to add one beautiful stand-out patterned item. There is a wealth of patterned accessories to choose from including the beautiful Floral Fabric Lightshade from Rigby & Mac, in turquoise with pretty pink flowers, or the Zig Zag Ceramic Vase from Rigby & Mac is perfect if you want to introduce geometric shapes. A simple sofa can be brought to life with a couple of patterned cushions such as the Klippan Flower Power Cushion from Interior Addict, which comes in a funky mix of pink, orange, lime and red.
Artwork is another great way to add interest to your home and the Pixel Tapestry Green Glo Canvas from Duffy London is as unusual as it is fabulous, with its illuminated and pixelated pattern based on a Persian rug design.
Wallpaper
Patterned wallpaper has been around for centuries and the choice of designs is endless, including wallpapers with subtle hand-drawn florals or vibrant abstract shapes.
Those with a smaller print are an option if you are looking to cover all four walls, whilst those with large shapes work much better on a feature wall or fireplace.
Carpet
Whilst there are many options available, a whole room covered in an intricate design could be rather overpowering. A much better way to incorporate pattern into your flooring is simply to add a patterned rug such as the Suzani Rug from Graham & Green with its gorgeous bright pink snowflake shapes.
Modern furniture
Alternatively, if it’s modern furniture you’re looking for, both the Patchwork armchair from Out There Interiors or the Lounge Lizard Leopard Bombe bedside chest from The Pole House are bold patterned pieces, and are sure to add impact to any room.
If you like the idea of mixing and matching, it is possible, just as long as you exercise a little caution.
To avoid clashing, the safest way to combine prints is to use two complementary designs from the same range. Very often a designer will bring out a variety of fabrics with some colour/pattern crossover. This allows you to ensure that the two will work together.
Another option is to ensure that the two prints feature at least one colour in common or combine a patterned print with a plain, solid shade, which is complemented by the other.
About the Author: Features Editor for Furnish.co.uk Lisa Hill shows you how to work this look in your home, with patterned wallpapers, modern furniture and accessories.
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