Part II THE EFFECT OF PATTERN IN SPACES
Well, you just finished getting your samples, images and notes all together in your journal from our last post. Now that you have everything together lets talk a little bit about how pattern effects spaces. When you choose a pattern for a room it can be the focal point or act as a backdrop. Pattern can visually change the size of a room making it look larger or smaller and pattern can be used to disguise uneven walls. Just make a decision on where you want to add pattern and then you can begin adding pattern into your space.
PATTERNS DEFINE SPACES
When adding pattern to a room like this Thibaut wallpaper you have to remember to balance your colors and prints. Small patterns have a tendency to look like one color when seen from a distance where large patterns tend to get noticed immediately.
MIX YOUR PATTERNS AND SCALE OF PRINTS
Mixing patterns adds more variety to a room but tends to be a touch more difficult. Some rules apply to make life easier, like use a multicolored main print and place it with a texture as well as a lattice pattern or stripe. Keep the smaller scaled prints in the same color family so they will act as a backdrop to your feature design. Remember…variety is the spice of life and certainly applies to pattern!
ONE COLOR PRINTS ARE STYLISH
Not everyone wants to live with lots of prints so often a simplified approach with pattern is necessary. Toiles are an easy print to add into any decor. They make a clean and colorful statement. As Toiles are often one or two color prints, the simplicity of the pattern keeps a room looking fresh and is perfect for drapes, chairs and walls while not making a room look fussy and feminine.
LARGE PRINTS MAKE AN IMPACT
If the walls are painted or textural, a great place to add pattern is on the furniture or in the window treatments. Checks and large bold prints are ideal for pleated draperies as one can see the motif within the folds when hanging compared to small prints.
PATTERNS ADD DIMENSION
Stripes can be very dramatic and when used vertically in a room, they create height but when stripes are hung or painted horizontally, it makes the room wider not taller which has the visual effect of lowering a ceiling. If your nervous about adding pattern into a room, start with patterned pillows. They are not a big investment and yet can instantly add drama to a drab seating area or bed.
USE PATTERN AS A FOCAL POINT
Bedrooms are one of the easiest rooms to add pattern. Prints should be balanced and often mixing a floral with a stripe, a texture or spot can produce a variety of looks. Place a bold pattern on a headboard like these Designers Guild fabrics and the bed frame becomes the main focal point in the room.
PRINTS CAN HIDE IMPERFECTIONS
Use pattern to hide and disguise walls that aren’t perfectly finished. To hide imperfections cover the walls with a grass cloth, wallpaper, fabric, tapestry or pieces of art. Photographs, paintings and collectibles can act like a pattern as they easily transform a boring hall or wall into an instant gallery. Prints can also be used to direct us from one room to another similar to the visual effect created with the blue zebra fabric. Grass cloth is a natural product which is fabulous for hiding uneven walls because of its thickness and texture.
That is the beauty of pattern, it can transform so many spaces. So get started with your decorating journal and start living with your favorite pattern!
HAPPY DECORATING!
Jaima
Images: www.jaimabrownhome.com; www.designersguild.com; www.leejofa.com; www.pineconehill.com; www.kellygreeninteriors.com
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