PATTERN PLAY

COMBINING CONTRASTING PATTERNS IS A CONTEMPORARY WAY TO ADD INTEREST TO YOUR DECOR. CANDICE BOTHA ASKED LOCAL DECORATORS FOR THEIR TOP TIPS FOR MAKING PATTERNS WORK TOGETHER

1 - Combining patterns is a simple way to add interest and personality to a room. In this living room, Tarryn Hendra of calla&taia has used a patterned rug and scatters to instantly refresh a tired room. The tribal print and geometric patterned cushions on the sofa work in harmony with the abstract rug, by keeping to a neutral palette. “Choosing similar tones is key when making several patterns work together – the prints may contrast but the colours are complementary,” she notes.

Picture: Olivia Rebecca Photography

2 - “Working with pattern combinations is probably my f avourite part of any project,” says Kirsty Badenhorst of Kirsty Badenhorst Interiors. “I get to really express my creativity through textures, styles and tones of patterns.” For this master bedroom, Kirsty has created a luxurious feel by pairing a whimsical wallpaper with rough-textured marble on the wall around the fireplace.

“It is an interesting combination that is enhanced by the contrast between the soft velvets and structured pattern on the scatters which also echoes the feel of the wall feature and brings the space together.”

Picture: Courtney Dale Photography

3 - In this formal lounge, Kirsty has warmed up a muted colour palette with a pop of gold. “I went for a soft watercolour-like wallpaper, paired with a strongly patterned velvet with darker tones to anchor the space,” she says.

“The lighter tones are incorporated with the linen feel and embroidered design of the geometric which brightens up space. People tend to think that neutrals can be boring, however when you create a striking combination of texture, complementary tones, and incorporate interesting patterns, they can be just as appealing as colour.”

Picture: Courtney Dale Photography 4In this bedroom, Tracy Joubert of Refreshed

4 - Designs has varied the scale of the patterns.The rug is a large-scale floral, the cushion is medium, and the buttoning on the headboard is small. “The varied scales make this space look contemporary rather than cluttered, which tends to be the case when every element is in a similar scale of print,” she says. “When choosing the location of your patterns, keep in mind that a large pattern works best on a large item – like the rug here – because the space is large enough to accommodate the pattern in its entirety.” The faux fur throw at the bottom of the bed adds another element of interest with its texture without competing with any of the patterns.

5 - Incorporating pattern via natural materials, as Tracy has done in this dining-room, is a modern take on luxury. “It is essential to distribute patterns evenly throughout a room,” she says. Adding the pattern to the server balances out the busy marble wall and dining table on the other side of the room.

The wallpaper accounts for 60% of the pattern in the room, the pattern on the curtain for 30%, and the final 10% comes from the floral cushion as an accent

6 - In this bedroom, Amy Mitchell of Studio has chosen a patterned wallpaper as the starting point in the room. “The 60/30/10 approach has worked well here,” she says. “The wallpaper accounts for 60% of the pattern in the room, the pattern on the curtain for 30%, and the final 10% comes from the floral cushion as an accent.” As a bedroom should be relatively tranquil, Amy has included several elements in plain fabrics to balance out the patterns.

“The plain yellow headboard and white linen give the eye somewhere to rest, keeping the look calm.” Picking up touches of yellow and stone in the cushion and repeating them in the headboard and wallpaper creates some depth and connects the scatter with the other patterns in the room.

FOR MORE INFO CALL A&TAIA INTERIOR DESIGN: hello@callaandtaia.com KIRSTY BADENHORST INTERIORS: kbinteriors.co.za REFRESHED DESIGNS: refresheddesigns.co.za STUDIO MITCHELL: studiomitchell.co.za