Patterns can be a magical mystical tour through the world of home decorating. It all depends on the way you use them. Trouble is, a lot of people don’t really put as much thought into using patterns when decorating their homes as they might. It’s easy to get stuck into the rut of recycling ideas you grew up on when instituting patterns into an interior design motif. So easy, in fact, that you may not even realize that’s what you are doing. The first step in uncovering the magical mystical power of patterns is realizing that the recycling rut into which you find yourself stuck is not only not impossible to extricate yourself from, but that extrication probably does not require nearly as much work as you fear.
Symmetry and Balance
Start by looking for symmetry and balance when utilizing patterns in your interior design. A floral pattern on the wallpaper that is adorned inside a unique square shape can be balanced with something as simple to use as a stencil. Create a stencil that mimics the unique square design. Then use the stencil to paint the unique square design as an accent on a desk or bookcase or any other type of furnishing in the room . The result is easy reproduction of an existing pattern as instant symmetry. Instant symmetry that’s going to get you.
Hidden Patterning
What do you usually think of when you think of adding patterns to your décor? Rugs? Curtains? Wallpaper? Consider stepping outside the conventional and looking elsewhere for hidden patterns. For lack of a better word. Not really hidden so much as untapped. Patterns that are not being exploited to the decorative extent they might. For instance, take a long, close look at the patterns in kitchen countertops, especially if you are lucky enough to have something like real marble in there. Or the pattern of lines that weave through any actual wood in the house. What about those patterns by droplets of paints in those six little squares of tile surrounding your fireplace hearth? Once you start actively searching for patterns hiding in your home, you will be amazed at what is uncovered.
Patterns in Dense Paintings
Hang a painting on the wall that is filled with character and event like a Hogarth engraving. Look deeply within your focal point painting for repetitions of patterns and then set about exploiting them on rugs, pillows, upholstery, wallpaper or paint. Once you get a feel for how patterns can be duplicated, complemented, recreated and contrasted, the next thing you know, you’ll be seeing more patterns to manipulate throughout your decor than John Nash with his beautiful mind.
Use Patterns to Bring Unlike Objects Together
Got two chairs that could not be more dissimilar, but that you love equally? And that lack of symmetry between the chairs makes them stick out like two sore thumbs on the hand that is your overall interior design scheme? Look for patterns in that décor and then paint or upholster the chairs to bring them together as one. This decorative effect that uses the power of patterns can be used to bring any two pieces of home décor together. Tables, bookshelves and even just objects d’art that hang on the wall and serve no purpose other than aesthetics can be redone to bring them together as examples of either symmetrical or asymmetrical patterns.
