Decor With Patterns: easy tips

I must admit that I love patterns. It may be a small addiction. Patterns give me a boost. Whether it is the pattern of a brick pathway or print of soda can, I am always drawn. Just check out these random pictures I've taken while studying abroad in Hong Kong:

Using pattern to decorate building interiors has been practiced for centuries, and can be one of quickest and least expensive ways to revamp a space. If you love to use patterns as much as I do, or you just need some ideas of how to freshen up a room, here are a few design tips that are useful.

1.

This tip may seem simple, but it is important to know that a pattern is anything that repeats itself 3-6 times or more. Anything.

Photo courtesy of West Chin

Photo courtesy of Betty Wasserman Art & Interiors

Photo courtesy of Jean Pelle

These photos show that knowing what a pattern is can leave lots of room to be creative and generate interesting designs. However, it is very easy to get carried away when decorating a space with patterns, which brings me to my second point.

2.

A pattern draws a lot of attention, and is often the first thing noticed in a space. If there are many different patterns used at the same time, a space could seem overwhelming. However, that does not mean you can't break the mold of using one pattern for an entire space.

One way to avoid overwhelming a space with patterns while keeping the design interesting is to make sure that the different patterns have something in common: color, shape, or scale. This will help to unify the patterns. Here are a few examples:

Color

Photo courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens

(The wall and floor coverings of this bedroom have completely different patterns, but are similar in color which creates a sense of unity.)

Photo courtesy of OpenArchitecture.com

(The different floral patterns of this living area also share a color scheme.)

Photo courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens

(This desk area has 4 different patterns: the square pattern of the metal tack-board, the circular pattern of the red office chair, the striped pattern of the pencil holder, and even the tick marks of the clock. What unifies them all is the color scheme used.)

Photo courtesy of Peter Dunham

Shape

Photo courtesy of Betty Wasserman Art & Interiors

(Notice that the prints of the window treatment, bedding, area rug, and chair pillow all differ in scale and color, but are all striped.)

Photo courtesy of Santiago Ortiz

(This bathroom has a combination of different materials: wood and tile. Both are different in scale and materiality but are linear in form.)

Scale

Photo courtesy of Southern Living

(The print of the upholstered chair and footstool differ in color and shape, but are of a similar scale.)

Photo courtesy of Heartfirehome.blogspot.com

Photo courtesy of Lars Contzen

As you can see, there are many rules of using pattern to decorate, and they are always broken in many ways. Some photos show patterns with color schemes not limited to one key shade. Others present extensive ideas of creating patterns not limited to fabric prints such as uniting different materials-wood, tile, or metal. Who says that you can't use a floral pattern with animal print in a space? You can if they share a color scheme or scale.

End Note:

I hope that this blog post has helped you turn the creative gears in your mind. If you have questions feel free to post a comment or email me at cocreateinteriors@gmail.com.

Related Post:

"Decor With Patterns Part 2: creating a focal point"

(click here to visit)

Layers of Light

Often I have seen many people use one source of lighting per room in their homes. They may only have a ceiling or table lamp with nothing else. The following photos are great examples:


Photo courtesy of homedesigninterior.com
(Besides daylight, this room only has ambient lighting that creates a harsh glare.)


Photo courtesy of designinsidechicago.com
(This is a sad case because it is a ceiling lamp used as a sconce for a hotel bathroom....a big no-no.)

Can you relate to these design dilemmas? If so, don't feel bad. It happens to the best of us. Before you throw in the towel, here are a few tips that may help. When selecting lighting for a space, there are a few things that you should keep in mind.

First, there are 4 types of lighting: daylight, ambient, task, and accent lighting. These are what I call Layers of Light. Each layer is used for a specific purpose. Instead using only one type of lighting to serve all purposes for a space, use some or all of the Layers of Light for any space. Here are some examples:

Day Lighting

Photo courtesy of Axis Mundi

Ambient Lighting

Photo courtesy of topdesign72.com
(The chandelier placed in the center of this living room is a great example of ambient lighting. Notice how it is used to brighten the entire space.)

Task Lighting

Photo courtesy of Atelier

Accent Lighting

Photo courtesy of invitinghome.com
(Accent lighting is used to highlight areas or objects in a space such as the paintings placed along the walls of this room. They are normally very small in size and may even be placed inside of the ceiling-recessed lighting.)

Secondly, before using the Layers of Light, there are three questions that you should ask yourself:

1.
How will the room be used?
(For instance, will a living area be used as a place for reading, watching television, and group conversation or only two of the three?)


Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Bilhuber
(Notice that this living room has two seating areas for conversation and a variety of lighting is placed in both seating areas.)


Photo courtesy of Clodagh
(The primary uses of this bedroom are sleeping and reading. The small sconces are placed on both sides of the bed as task lights for reading, followed by cove accent lighting along the top of the wall. In addition to day lighting, only 2 Layers of Light are used in this space to create a calming atmosphere for rest and relaxation.)


2.
What kind of mood or feeling do you plan to create for the space?
(Will the dining room be warm and intimate for dinner of two, an open atmosphere for a large family gathering, or both?)


Photo courtesy of Clodagh
(The seating of this dining room suggests that a large family could use it. However, pendant lights above the table and the recessed accent lights along the left wall create an intimate mood by causing lots of shade and shadow.)


Photo courtesy of egywater.com
(This living area has a white color pallet with blue and green accent pillows. However, unlike the previous photo, the white lighting is used to create a sense of openness.)


3.
What color scheme(s) or materials do you plan to use for the room, and what lighting should be used to accentuate them?


Photo courtesy of topdesign72.com
(One of the best things about using only white for an entire space is that you can use lighting to create reflective color and accentuate the blank palette.)

Knowing the answers to these questions will help you select lighting strategies that are appropriate for the activities that are to take place in the space, and that will celebrate your chosen color scheme and materials.

End Note:
To receive more help about selecting the appropriate lighting design for your space, email Co-Create Interiors at cocreateinteriors@gmail.com