Patterns, patterns, patterns
Since the early cavemen, humans have been consciously trying to make the interiors of their dwellings not just functional, but comfortable and attractive, as well. Across the centuries, they have used all types of materials and have come up with all sorts of ideas to create beautiful and comforting living spaces.
Home decoration is a little bit like fashion for interior living spaces. While traditional fashion in clothing and accessories can change fast, almost with the seasons and in general it is easier to keep up with, home decorating trends evolve, take root and mature somewhat slower as the overall style of a home is at least partially defined by the architectural design of the space, as well as the big, defining pieces of furnishing. Both of those are more difficult to modify.
So while interior and furniture design trends certainly contribute to defining what is the best and most popular in home decor, trends in colours, fabrics, materials, accents and art for the home become increasingly important. They are also easier to emulate and can be tried at a much lower cost and risk. After all, despite trends and fads, your home should really be about you and what you like.
Over the last few years, patterns have emerged as one of the most consistent and biggest trend in home fabrics, textiles, and upholstery and wall decoration. Since the 1990s, the dominant colour trends emphasized solid colours: soft browns or beige sofa covers, either complementary or contrasting with the solid colours of the walls and other pieces. Now patterns are making a come-back, especially in textile and fabric design. Patterns in design come in two basic forms: representational and non-representational or abstract. Representational patterns depict identifiable forms and shapes: animals, plants, humans and other motifs. Abstract patterns play around with motifs that provide rhythm and structure, but cannot be tied to identifiable objects. Abstract patterns have been widely used in wall arts, as well as home textile design. Abstract fabric and abstract upholstery fabric designs can be broken down into two basic categories: geometric and floral.
Exquisite abstract floral fabrics were features in all of the top home design and fabric shows in 2010 and 2011. Their sophisticated look – which can be played up with bolder colours and sizes or smartly toned down in paler colours and more intricate and intimate shapes – can define a unique living room.
Geometric abstract prints may be less risky for people experimenting with abstract patterns for the first time. As with the abstract floral fabrics, abstract geometric home textiles and upholstery fabrics are available in a wide selection including bravely complex patterns and more timid, less intrusive shapes that easily blend in with other styles.
Those trying the abstract theme for the first time do not have to commit to a new set of living room furniture clothed in vividly colored geometric upholstery right away. Accent pillows in abstract print covers, a dining room tablecloth with a geometric or abstract floral pattern or a strategically placed piece of abstract wall art should be a good starting point to discover if the rhythmical, yet random series of unidentifiable shapes, forms and patterns adds a splash of inspirational puzzle and mystery to your home or just creates an unwelcome, loud distraction in your space.
