6 Quick Tips for using Patterns with Texture

A CREATIVE USE OF PATTERN WITH TEXTURE INVIGORATES ANY DESIGN, DELIGHTING THE SENSES.

As thoughtfully designed and chosen as every furnishing in a home can be, a fabulous fabric or sensational surface will make it truly striking. So what's the trick? Simple really: Mix patterns and textures to create exciting combinations that play off each other, adding pleasing variety and sensuous wit to a room. Start with these basic guidelines, then follow your natural creative instincts!

1. PICK A STARTING POINT
 To put your room together, you can begin anywhere - a fabric, a color, a painting or objet d'art, whatever inspires you- then draw other design ideas from that point. In any communal space, it's good to begin with the rug, or start with a fabric and design a custom rug around to go with it.

2. VARY THE SCALE
 Strong patterns do go together, just make sure they're different in scale. Try one small pattern in a monotone, then go much larger in size with more color for another pattern

3. UNIFY THE COLOR
  Find a color you love. Magazines can help you see what's in style. From there, gauge your reactions to colors, especially how they work together - you'll know what feels right to you. Remember, too, that surface sheen adds depth to a color. Silk has a two-tone sheen, as do cotton-rayon blends, which are also very soft.

4. USE LIGHTS TO ENHANCE SURFACES
 A monotone is anything but monotonous is you introduce it in the form of a texture, then place it where it will catch different light sources -, from a window during the day and a chandelier at night- to reveal its raised surface. A simple white wall, becomes a constantly changing focal point with a textured covering.

5. PATTERNS TURN SIMPLE INTO STUNNING
 Cover a streamlined chair with an exquisite fabric to make it a standout; a plain shelving unit becomes a conversation piece covered with wallpaper or vinyl. You can also incorporate one standout piece of furniture by painting it to match the room's background. This trick serves to play up intricate lines while playing down disparate styles, woods and colors.

6. SHOW OFF SILHOUETTES
 The outline of a piece creates a pattern of its own. For visual variety, alternative plain-finished items with patterned ones. Large stand-alone pieces also make the most of their innate textures when given a simple treatment.