Colour is a property of light which operates over a spectrum of wavelengths helping us navigate our surroundings by rendering them in three dimensions. Life would be very drab in a colourless world. Luckily for us we inhabit a world that is drenched in colourful opportunities, both the natural and manmade. When it comes to introducing colour into home décor then we are normally dealing with pattern and block colour, in other words a solid single colour and a combination of colours configured by a geometric or a natural motif. For interior design pattern and texture are underscored by colour, complementary hues can bring pattern alive in a vivid celebration of light. While colour texture is more subtly suggested by chromatic combinations that are nevertheless latent. Patterns and textures should be considered the building blocks of interior design.
The subjective criteria of colour and pattern
Colour is a subjective phenomenon, we all have our favourite. Our predilection for specific colours is likely to have been formed at a young age by our culture and surroundings. Equally pattern is a question of individual taste, informed by a sense of graphic and artistic expression. Both provide a vehicle with which we can stamp our own identity on a décor and as such should be embraced. Through the following examples we consider how colour pattern can enhance different areas within the home.
Bringing colour into the living room using pattern
Most interior designers agree that colour can provide a powerful element to the living room décor. For non-professionals there are some basic rules that can help with the introduction of colour pattern into the living room. Establishing a palette of three colours maximum that can be used in different ways within the space is a good starting point. Upholstery, wall finish and soft furnishings such as curtains, cushions and rugs for instance. Applying colour pattern on walls can be through a floral or geometric pattern wallpaper or a textile wall hanging. The dominant colours can be picked up with the accessories to create a harmonious colour scheme throughout the room.
Bold or muted
Trends in colour and pattern come and go; we can identify entire eras with specific patterns featured in period décor. So colour pattern should be used judiciously in order not to date it. An upholstered sofa is perhaps more appropriate in a single block colour while accessories and wallpapers are ideal opportunities to feature more vivid colour pattern. Currently the use of mustard yellow is popular, as is dusty pinks in combination with more muted greys.
Ceramic tiles and colour pattern
Using patterned wall tiles in the bathroom and the kitchen can provide a design feature as well as a practical surface that is suitable for humid environments and easily maintained. Expressed in combination with a contrasting colour for kitchen cabinets and worktops the effect can be striking and lend depth to the space.
Colour pattern for calming ambience
Green is recommended for spaces where creating a sense of peace and calm is the objective, such as a lounge or an entrance hall. Depending on the dimensions of the room, its natural light and its function, the colour can be more or less intense. In this case, the SINMAS studio has opted for a dark green shade that contrasts with the rest of the elements and adds a warm and organic touch to the room.
