Handycrafted: patterns

Showing posts with label patterns. Show all posts

Show me some Moor...

One of my all time favorite patterns is the Moorish trellis. It is a beautiful intricate pattern which can take on a variety of shapes and sizes. The most common version is the style I use as a background on ParkdaleAve.com! The term "Moorish" derives from "Moors" - a group of people who ruled North Africa, Spain and Portugal during the middle-ages. In architecture, the Moorish style is characterized by pointed arches, onion domes and intricate patterns. This trellis (also known as Moroccan trellis) has definitely withstood the test of time. From pillows to curtains, wallpaper to rugs, the Moorish trellis can be spotted everywhere in the interior design world these days!

Indulge in a few of my favorite applications...

Meredith Heron Design

Studio Ten 25

Bella Mancini

Graham Moss Interiors

Lorraine Vale

Studio Ten 25

Design Amour

Pottery Barn

Paint/Design/Decor Inc. via Design Amour

Valerie Wills

The Bold and the Beautiful ...

In every room, there needs to be a star. Certain pieces need to stay quiet and act as a backdrop while others need to scream for your attention. Whether it's a show-stopping sofa, painting, sculpture or spectacular fireplace, you need one thing that provides wow factor. Bold, geometric patterned area rugs are a great way to make a statement. Even if your room can stand alone without one, a great rug will help define your living space, ground the room and help reflect your design direction. Just keep in mind that if your rug wants to be the superstar, everything else needs to be tamed.

Niche Interiors

Vanessa de Vargas

Alaina Kaczmarski

Diane Bergeron

Emily A. Clark

Niche Interiors

Niki Papadopoulos

Oh, Baby!

Nurseries are fun spaces to design because they allow you to think outside the box and push you to explore the depths of your creativity. Since baby rooms are meant to be lighthearted and whimsical, you're not limited to conventional colors, fabrics or accessories. Feel free to use bold prints, bright colors and textural fabrics. One of the most charming baby rooms I have ever seen has silver birch trees hand-painted onto charcoal walls, mustard yellow curtains, a bright turquoise armchair and a zebra print area rug. I know it sounds a little wild but it actually comes together beautifully! Upon browsing the following pics, I found myself incredibly inspired to design a baby room even though I don't have kids. Having said that, I do have a Boston Terrier that could easily fit into one of those cribs! Hmmm.....

Sarah Richardson

Erin Gates

Making modern comfortable...

I personally have a hard time with modern décor. Even when well-executed, modern spaces often translate as cold, one-dimensional, flat and uninviting. When creating a modern space, keep room functionality in mind. If a living room doesn’t evoke feelings of warmth and relaxation, then it’s not fulfilling its primary function. When I think of modern, I often think of IKEA. Their furniture is trendy and affordable, usually clean lined and modular which is fine BUT add one too many IKEA products in one room and I promise it will fall flat.

The key to keeping modern comfortable is balance.

Tame down your linear elements by introducing one of the following:

1- Texture: add a faux sheepskin rug, distressed wood table or textural wallpaper

2- Patterns: Add a hit of pattern on a few throw pillows, curtains or on a a single armchair

3- Vintage finds: Head to your local flea market, find something cool and modify it! Old suitcases, chandeliers, side tables or frames can add interest into a room

4- Art: No need to spend tons of money here, simply print a few of your favorite pictures, frame them and create an interesting arrangement on an accent wall. Try to think outside of the box, many of your favorite personal items or travel souvenirs can make great pieces of art.

5- Natural elements: Add flowers, rocks, seashells, elephant leaf, miniature topiaries or even driftwood in any space to make it more welcoming.

Zebras add zing...

There's a fine line between trendy and tacky when it comes to animal prints in interior design. Zebra is one of my personal faves when used in small doses. It can be playful, classy, modern, casual and funky.

Here are a few images where Zebra has been beautifully introduced into different settings...

Elle Decor

Elsa Soyars

West Elm

Getting your patterns straight...

Patterns are a great way to inject character into a dull room. Whether you choose to incorporate them on throw pillows, curtains, area rugs or wallpaper, a little pattern goes a long way! I marvel at the multitude of patterns available out there but initially found it very hard to differentiate them all. Here's a quick overview:

IMPERIAL TRELLIS