Pattern Mixing Updated with color and Art & Crafts Motifs
Posted by Tanna Espy Miller on Sep 28th 2021
Pattern mining gets a gentle style and color update in the first and second photo while the last shows uninhibited exploration of both color and pattern. (Message for fabric, wall covering, and custom bedding/ draperies. Those shown are designer exclusive materials not available in stores or online)
The bedroom photo shows International geometrics and tribal patterns mixed with trendy blue floral motifs influenced by the Arts and Crafts era (read more below). This season's geometric and ethnic patterns are complex, with elements added to simple lattices, medallions, and blocked motifs.. Many fabrics are both printed and embroidered. Geometric fabrics are trimmed with other geometric patterns. Here a bold stripe intersects the pattern creating drama that feels new. The floral headboard features a floral pattern that resembles Arts & Crafts illustrations while it demonstrates the current trends of simplicity and large scale. Japanese influence can also be seen, proving a nice contrast to the Eastern inspired prints of the wall covering and bedding. If you want to use floral fabrics in gender neutral bedrooms, you may find that men will accept them when they are isolated and in places that look naturally occurring (an inlay in a china hutch) and less "chosen" like a bed covering would be. Here, the headboard's smoothness and quiet contribution may be pleasing to even vocal objectors of floral.
Last decade's most popular color scheme: spa and neutral are slightly changed in this example of bluer light blue with warm white accents. White, in general, is the most popular color this year. What's new is that pattern and texture are isolated in clean, crisp zones for controlled look. Three diamond/ ethnic patterns are used without layering in the traditional way (literally on top of each other and in different sizes). The artistic base of the lamp is the most trendy item. It follows the Arts & Crafts trend just as elements in the other two rooms.
In the last photo, toned coral-red international fabrics combine for a dramatic, individualist look in a cozy reading area. Arts & Crafts era influence is seen here too in the spiral turned table legs, drapery fabric, and wall covering. This uninhibited look is prevalent among young designers today, and the color scheme is acceptable to young men as well.
The Arts & Crafts movement began in England where the works of Henry Morris defined the look. Individual artist's elaborate illustrations and motifs are applied books, publications, surfaces (especially wallpaper), and functional pieces. The artists wanted to return to a simpler life where the person, not the machine was celebrated, where each place was personal. You are probably more familiar with Craftsman furniture and architecture which grew later and was more American. It rejected elaborate Art Nouveau style but continued the hand crafted direction celebrated in Arts & Crafts.