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Pattern Interior
Designing |
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Try
not to mix too many patterns in one room, but also try and avoid a
fully co-ordinated look or your room will end up looking like a
shop! Remember, small patterns or self-patterned fabrics work
extremely well with larger scale prints or weaves. |
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Where to begin
The strong colours on
the fabrics and carpet in this study are placed against a cream wall
toning down the overall scheme and accentuating the depth of colour.
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Plain fabrics with this depth of colour would be more difficult
to work with. These small and large checked fabrics are from
different fabric ranges and have totally different textures.
Bear in mind that different textures in a room always provide
additional interest. |
If you have no
alternative but to use a lot of pattern in fabrics or floor
coverings, then try to stick to a plain background in terms of the
wall covering, or perhaps use a plain sofa as a backdrop if you have
a lot of different patterned cushions |
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TIP:
If you choose a bold design either on a fabric or a wall covering,
then tone down the scheme by using some plain weaves as well. I find
that plain fabrics are always a good backdrop for both contemporary
and traditional pieces. |
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When working with
patterns, you should always choose them together. If you are nervous
about using large prints or weaves, but still want to use pattern,
then go for something with a much smaller pattern repeat. Certainly,
placing a very large print on a sofa can be a mistake particularly
if the pattern is designed to be used one way up. When you turn your
cushions to distribute the wear, that pattern will be upside down! A
check, stripe or small self-pattern is a better bet. |
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Checks and stripes
Checks and stripes are so exciting to experiment with. They look
stunning standing alone, but work equally well with one another and
with plain fabrics. They also complement floral or other ‘busy’
patterned prints.
Checked and striped fabrics are very popular at the moment. Ian
Mankin offers a very comprehensive range of striped fabrics in
different textures. If you are not up to making your own soft
furnishings, then K A International have produced an interesting
range of cushions using their striped fabrics.
Neutral tones create a cool and calming atmosphere as illustrated by
the window treatments and accessories used in a guest room. |
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TIP: Using
various widths of neutral stripes can work well together, producing
interesting effects. Try lifting a neutral theme with a splash of
shocking pink or aquamarine!
TIP: Striped fabrics applied to roller or roman blinds
and stiff pelmets enhance the already tailored look achieved with
these types of window treatments |
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Experimenting with checks and
stripes
Try
experimenting by cutting striped fabrics 'on the diagonal' and
then seaming them together to create a completely different
effect.
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See how
the fabric can be reassembled to create a range of striking
cushion designs below. These designs could be varied in many
different ways. Try applying a double border or quilting
along the lines for a three dimensional effect.
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Click here to
view a selection of beautiful handmade striped and chequed
accessories. (This is a graphics intensive page and may take a
short while to download, please be patient).
Accessories using checked and striped fabrics
TIP:
Have fun by applying a striped or checked border to a towel or
make a laundry bag to match your individual colour scheme (see
fourth and fifth examples above).
Leftover pieces of striped and checked fabrics have been pieced
together to make the wall hanging in the final example above. A
beginner could work this type of patchwork with little
difficulty. In addition, you might consider applying a
decorative patterned border to a tablecloth, place mat, cushion
or pillowcase, for something just that little bit different.
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Window dressings using striped fabrics
Here we have
highlighted just a few pelmet and blind combinations. Striped
fabrics applied to roller blinds, roman blinds or stiff pelmets,
as shown below, enhance the already tailored look achieved with
these types of window treatments.
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The shaped
valances below create a 'country cottage' feel in this
bathroom and kitchen. Both have double lipping to the lower
edge adding definition to the shaping. |
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Stripes also
work well when used with symmetrical shapes. When the
stripes are centralised and used on the vertical, they give
additional balance - check out the examples below. |
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The navy and
cream striped fabric on this roman blind has been piped with
a plain navy. A plain cream fabric has been used for the
straight bottom fascia and matching buckram pelmet. |
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