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EXPERT ADVICE

HOW TO DECORATE WITH PATTERN

EXPERT ADVICE

HOW TO DECORATE
WITH PATTERN

Head of design Karen Thomas and pattern designers Saskia Alderton and Emily Woods share trends and tips for using print in your decor

 

Choose a uniting shade and then mix and match a geometric duvet cover set with plain pillows and a colour-block cushion.

1 Mix pattern and plain
Pattern creates personality in an otherwise simple room. There really are no rules, but if you’re nervous about introducing motifs or lots of print feels overwhelming, try mixing patterned pieces with plain items that pick out the highlight colours.

2 Add interest with cushions
Cushions are an affordable way to update your home or introduce pattern, and they work for rooms of all sizes. Pattern doesn’t have to be printed – textured fabric and tactile semi-plain cushion designs can add depth to a small space.

3 Pick a theme
Choose a concept – for example, florals – and mix different scales and styles, such as painterly, etched and botanical. In a bedroom, you could start with a painterly statement floral duvet cover and pillow set, add embroidered repeat-bloom cushions, put up a floral linework lampshade and hang botanical prints on the walls.


4 Connect the colour palette
For an easy way to get a more coordinated look in a room, use pattern as a way of connecting your colour scheme, or build the palette around a printed cushion or bedding set.

5 Get arty
Statement art is a great way to add personality to a room. Create a quirky piece of artwork by framing favourite patterned tea towels or cushion covers.

6 Know the trends
From country meadows to vintage botanical drawings that we’ve translated into statement prints of butterflies, birds and insects, the natural world has provided pattern inspiration this season. There is a nod to Art Deco style, too, with geometric and shell-like patterns and luxe palm motifs. We’ve also brought mid-century designs up to date, with modern geometrics and retro colour blocking, which look great against neutral schemes.


Words: Miranda Eason