How To Master This Effective Interiors Trend
Pattern on pattern can make a room feel bigger, says Joanna Plant…
“Much to people’s surprise, this technique can make a room feel bigger. If you want to use a wallpaper up and over the ceiling, it’s best if the design is quite loose, so you aren’t too aware of the meeting points, which can’t always be pattern matched. I would avoid geometrics, for example, which can be tricky to work with.
“Generally, it’s best to use a slightly stronger colour palette – and different scales of pattern. There’s no point going maximalist if you’re nervous of colour. Having said that, using a single colour can be a little more relaxing on the eye.
“Using this approach in rooms which lack architectural detail is great. That’s because the pattern is doing all the work. I would also use it in rooms which have a good view, where you want to draw your eye out of the window rather than encouraging it to stay inside.”
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It can also be surprisingly restful, says Salvesen Graham…
“This technique can be very impactful. If you’re going down this route, you need to go all in and pick up the same colour on the woodwork, too. While it’s not subtle by any means, by repeating the pattern on multiple surfaces the finished result can often appear surprisingly restful.
“There are any number of situations where you can use this look. Depending on the tone or boldness of the pattern, it will create a different feel. In this bar area, the effect is bright, fun and bold, whereas in a bedroom, the colours could be more muted for a calmer, more cocooning space.
“The size of the room will dictate the scale of the pattern – smaller spaces lend themselves better to big patterns, but the fun is that the trend does suit all sorts of rooms. The only space I’d avoid doing it is in the kitchen. When it comes to flooring, either continue the pattern or keep it simple so it doesn’t compete. We like to pull out colours from the print and use them in an eggshell or even a high gloss on the woodwork for extra dimension.”
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Freddie Ellams
Always go bold, says Olivia Emery…
“If you’re going to use the same pattern all over, my advice would be to choose a bolder one. Using the same pattern can be very cocooning, plus, you can enhance the look by pulling out one of the darker shades in the pattern for the woodwork. In a small cloakroom, we recently paired a marble-patterned wallpaper with blue paintwork because we found an incredible sink which worked with the scheme, and I wanted to continue that on the woodwork and ceiling.
“You do need to consider the size of the room when choosing your pattern – in a small room, you don’t want a huge pattern. As for colour, there are a lot of factors at play here, such as the property, the room and the client’s taste. I tend to go for bolder colours, but it can still work with something more muted.”
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It creates a sense of order, says Natasha Greig…
“Not only is this look very attractive and inviting, it makes a room feel spacious and ordered. There’s nothing nicer than when the curtains are drawn and everything feels cosy.
“A small geometric pattern is our favourite – but there are no strict rules. We recently decorated a dining room with walls and curtains in a large chocolate and white damask, and it looked great because it was a small room that really added that gravitas of scale. However, I wouldn’t get too hung up on scale and pattern – it’s whatever feels appropriate for the room. And when it comes to colour, go bright and bold or muted and tonal – again, it just depends on the atmosphere you want to create.
“My favourite place to use this technique is in a bedroom. While there are no rules around lighting, you need to consider how you will light the space. We prefer a soft yellow light as opposed to a harsh white light. Then, when it comes to paintwork, most people tend to use the predominant colour in the pattern, but we would always veer towards a soft grey or off-white to pull things together.”
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It adds warmth and personality, says Caryn Hibbert...
Having a room that is essentially decorated in neutral tones is a simple and effective way to achieve a calm and harmonious look, especially in architecturally beautiful surroundings, but it can get a bit boring to live in. Adding the odd brightly patterned cushion or lampshade, for example, can really add focus and individuality. Interestingly, drenching a room in pattern can also achieve the same effect. When the walls, curtains and upholstery are all in the same pattern, you feel enveloped, warm and nurtured – so it works especially well in a bedroom.
Smaller patterns are easier to use. With bigger pattern repeats, you need to be careful that it doesn’t overwhelm the space, but I like to combine the same pattern in different scales. As for colour, there are no rules. Start with a patterned fabric, rug or painting you love, choose a colour from there and build on that with different layers. You'll find that the same starting point can result in very different outcomes depending on the colour you choose.
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