THE USE OF TEXTURE IN SPACES

TIPS FOR DESIGN

Story by LINDSEY BACON, INTERIOR DESIGNER, LOTT’S FURNITURE lbacon@lottsfurniture.com / (912) 283-6350 / Instagram @lindseybacon_designer Photography by ALLEN ALLNOCH / AHA! PHOTOGRAPHY

Left: A mix of textures – including mahogany and mango woods; brass and gold metals; rattan, wool, linen, and cotton fi bers; and marble, agate, and mother of pearl stones – creates a warm and cozy aesthetic. The lamp has a dimpled texture that adds a masculine, yet modern, appeal.

Above: Textures in rugs only enhance the “feel” of your room. Jute, sisal, and other natural fi bers are performance materials that can be used for indoor/outdoor and pets or children. Wool, polyester, cotton, and polypropylene, are all great for that luxurious aesthetic.

When creating a space, most people think of the whole aesthetic that they want, starting with color and style. One thing they don’t think of is texture. However, textures bring a space to life. They allow spaces to become warm, inviting, cozy, and, if you’re not careful, cold. It all depends on what you want for your overall aesthetic.

As an interior designer, I often hear clients say that they want to update their spaces and create a fresher look. Whether it is a living space, bedroom, o ce, or outdoor area, a fresher look can be fully achieved with di erent textures. Here are some tips on how to use textures to successfully create a renewed space for your home. The Basics: Furniture When starting a new design process, you want to think about materials. Do you want your sofa to feel buttery-soft, like leather, or would you prefer it more like silk in a fabric? Or maybe you would prefer a material that feels like wool? Either way, you have to choose something that is going to feel great against the skin while also achieving that “cozy” aesthetic.

Above: Bringing in textures like leather, performance grade polyester, and polypropylene add softness to a space against a hard cypress wood and ceramic décor.

Moving on to wood tones, there are many choices of wood species that can create a smooth or rugged surface. Whether in bedroom suites, occasional tables, dining sets, or fl ooring, wood can warm up a space for a casual appearance, or cool it down for a serene and calming aesthetic.

Accents: Rugs and Lighting Now that we have our furniture, let’s discuss accents. Rugs can create a beautiful sense of texture with the softness of wool, the silkiness of polyester and polypropylene, or the coarseness of natural fi bers. Rugs can go just about anywhere in a home – o ce, living room, outdoor patio, bedroom, and entryway.

Most wouldn’t think of this, but lighting can also have texture that can enhance a space. Metals, ceramics, and stone can add so much character through chandeliers and lamps. Choosing the wrong light fi xture for your space can throw the whole aesthetic o . Instead of being warm and cozy, it could end up being cold and uninviting.

Wall Art and Accessories You can pretty much use anything nowadays to hang on the wall or use as an accessory. A basket, African bowls, paintings, photographs, and mirrors are all great for complementing a bare wall. Each of these has di erent textures that can pull a design together in a fashionable way. Vases, books, trays, plants, etc., can add texture and character to any space as well. These accessories can be atop a table, bookcase, or console.

In conclusion, texture plays a huge part in how our homes “feel.” Figure out what aesthetic you want your home to have and fi nd textures that help you achieve that aesthetic. Always remember, the presence of texture can make or break our homes. I hope this helps you better understand the importance of textures and helps you achieve the aesthetic of your dreams. OL