EXPERT ADVICE

Sarah Peake’s tips on how to combine

colour and pattern in a room

1 Use white to anchor a scheme. It helps a room feel fresh and lively, and allows colours to ‘sing’. Too many dark shades next to each

other on walls or textiles can merge into a muddy mixture without a neutral like white to frame and add definition. For instance, I often go for a brightly patterned curtain set against an off-white background.

2 Layer colour. I like to start with a vibrant, patterned rug. Some people might find that

idea scary, but the rug is softened by the furniture on top. The pattern then becomes a backdrop that can be seen peeking between, say, an armchair and a coffee table, and holds everything together.

3 Consider neutrals. I would advise anyone who is nervous about colour to keep the walls

and furniture more muted, and then play around with bolder tones in a less committed way on cushions and textiles. You could choose

a neutral shade for a sofa and then add dazzling cushions – perhaps combining Josef Frank prints and plain shades. It is all about the contrast: colour is critical to a room’s character, but mustn’t overwhelm the space.

4 Be confident. In the bedroom, the big things I discuss with clients are the headboard

and curtains. Choose a shade you feel confident with on the headboard: it uses far less fabric than the curtains but, because it’s flat, can look much more prominent in the room.