PASSION FOR PATTERN
From florals to hot air balloons, rooms are about to get a whole lot more interesting
Pattern has long been a mainstay of interior design, right back to the Tudor days and their elaborate plasterwork. But our modern love affair with intricate decoration emerged with the popularity of the feature wall and like all good relationships it is one that has blossomed ever since.
This summer pattern is going to really come into its own, bringing with it some hot new trends as well as trusty old favourites.
START SMALL
If the thought of transforming your home into a patterned palace sends shivers down your spine, start small.
Accessories are the perfect way to ease yourself into this trend. In the living area, scatter cushions and rugs will add instant impact, as will coasters and lamp shades.
The kitchen is a great place to get creative with pattern and best of all, you probably already have everything needed. Got some fabulous floral tea cups? Get them on display; you can either use a modern mug tree (forget wooden 80s monstrosities – there are some stunning ones on the market); wall-mounted cup hooks or – room permitting – a display cupboard.
Prefer to keep your crockery tucked away? Why not replace all the cupboard knobs with some fabulous new ones? This is a relatively quick job but one that will pay dividends.
Upstairs, a new bedspread will do the trick in the master suite, while a new toothbrush holder, soap dispenser and towels will all inject some va va voom in the bathroom.
DON’T BE A WALLFLOWER
Feeling bold? If you want to really embrace this season’s passion for pattern your walls are your best blank canvas. But don’t be afraid of breaking some rules.
Traditionally wallpaper would be used in the living area to unleash creativity. But this season we are seeing a rising demand for patterned tiles in the living room. And why not? Tiles can be easily maintained so your wall will look fresher for longer, and the tile market is so vast there is something to suit every taste.
From pared-back Scandi vibes to on-trend Mediterranean collections, the opportunities are endless. Choose a look that complements your home and get searching for the perfect fit.
PICTURE PERFECT
In the very early days of wallpaper, many designs depicted a continuous scene. As the public’s appetite for wallpaper grew, repeating patterns became popular; everything from botanicals and geometric stripes to more abstract shapes have appeared on rolls.
However, this summer, expect to see a huge rise in the number of pictorial patterns. Instead of small, intricate designs, pictorial wallpaper features larger, bolder images. Cole & Son are at the forefront of this trend and very recently I have use two of their designs in my interior schemes.
The first featured a plethora of hot air balloons and other flying machines and was used to create a truly whimsical scene in the most sumptuous of master bedrooms.
The second was a little more of a challenge and was used in a bathroom of all places. Featuring the motif of the moment – the fabulous pink flamingo – this paper looks stunning against a beige and white suite. But it’s not for the faint-hearted. Not every wallpaper can cope with the humidity of the bathroom, so using a vinyl paper – sealed with a matt varnish – is a must. And remember, don’t use it in a wet area, such as a shower cubicle, tiles are your best bet here.