The Renaissance of Pattern

Pattern is back. The new thirst for bold, brave prints emerged from the fashion world's new love of maximalism, characterised by Rixo London's handpainted textiles and Mary Katrantzou's continuing exploration of digital print and sculptural embroidery. Now it has fed into the interiors arena and primarily embraces organic and retro influences.

Far left and far right: Mary Katrantzou S/S2018 Centre: Rixo London Rebecca Dress

Tropical plant prints featuring dense clusters of leaves and trees surpass delicate, pastel coloured floral prints and give it a new masculine edge. The 1970s seems an unlikely source of inspiration, but the era has re-emerged with shades of terracotta and tangerine orange taking on a sleeker, modern appearance in stripes and stylised graphics. Also predicted is the rise of organic-inspired designs that focus on selected cross-sections of nature, cropped and abstracted, such as geodes, rocky textures or shimmering surfaces of water. 

This statement wall provides an enchanting vignette that feels both gothic and serene. Source: Pinterest.com

Our own range of prints span the more traditionally inspired Marbled pieces and go right through to the bright and colour-blocking Geometric range. The styles are suitable for a range of spaces - for example the Marbled designs look most at home in a more neutral environment and add a subtle plane of colour that is both inviting and delicate.

The Geometric range is recommended for those already acquainted with bright colours in the home, and are best showcased in midcentury modern style spaces featuring acidic colour elements that look good enough to eat. Our Pietra Blu wallpaper fits in with the trend for organic patterns, where globular aqua blue shapes are veined with a pop of pink, and mimics the surface of a shimmering bright blue pool. 

Pietra Blu wallpaper, original abstract painting and Red/Blue Geode fabric.

By contrasting the scale of prints, one can layer them atop each other without causing a cluttered effect. Here one of Susi's original abstract paintings sits boldly on her wallpaper, and the tones of blue and coral red are further emphasised by a darker-toned rich velvet seat cushion made with Red/Blue Geode fabric.

Yellow block geometric cushions are centre-stage on a pillar box red sofa, which sits against a surrealist landscape, encouraging the viewer to indulge in reverie for a moment.

Pattern tends to fixate us, inviting us to become lost in its' fantasy or repetition and therefore adds an element of abstraction to a room in need of a point of convergence for the eye. Whether it is a single statement wall, or a series of large-scale abstract artworks, most spaces can benefit from a printed element that lends them dimensionality.

The moral of the story? Do not be afraid to mix and match your patterns - by varying their colour palette, scale and theme, one can avoid a visual conflict of interest and create a harmonious eclecticism that perfectly captures the joyful aesthetic of the moment.