Pattern Play

Most homeowners surround themselves with fabrics in cushions, bedding, window treatments and wall coverings. Patterns can soften or brighten a room, make it more personal and feel more like home. Although the textures and patterns you choose depend on personal taste, (just like musical taste, some of us prefer R&B hip hop music while others prefer Michael Buble), awareness of the impact a certain pattern or texture has will help you make your Reno home into the haven that you want it to be. Here are some tips on how to choose patterns for specific rooms in your home.

Living room: In this highly used space, allow for visual breathing room. Simple designs in combination with solid fabrics can give you the peaceful look you seek. Robust patterns can be sensory overload and therefore distracting, creating a confusing backdrop for your works of art, or other focal points. You want the space to look like a room in Ron Meisels luxury home.

Kitchen: Since most of the space in the kitchen is taken up by cabinetry and large appliances, a dynamic pattern might be a welcome change from these utilitarian surfaces. You can either go bright and bold with the color and pattern, or keep it simple to create a soothing place to cook, clean and enjoy your meals with the family.

Bedroom: The mood that you want to create will dictate what patterns and colors you go with in your bedroom. If you are still feeling the romantic effects of your Alfred Sung wedding, you may want to keep the romance coming with soft laces and white (or ivory) on white delicate florals. If the bedroom is used primarily at nighttime for sleeping, consider a bare minimum of pattern in a restful and soothing palette. If you use the bedroom more during the day, a brighter and more alive look may suit your taste for this room.

Powder room: Since most people do not spend a great deal of time in the powder room you can take advantage of this space to enjoy high-impact patterns and designs. Choosing scenic or large abstract geometric designs or classic busy floral prints will give this room the pop that you are looking for. Like your international SIM card, use the prints abundantly, carrying the same theme through the wallpaper, hand towels and even hand soaps.

With any do-it-yourself project, there are several dos and don'ts that can serve as a simple guideline for first timers. For instance, you should use vertical stripes, provided by floor-to-ceiling wallpaper or window treatments for instance, to emphasize and increase the height of the room. If you are looking to accentuate a room's width, opt for horizontal stripes, by either using wallpaper with a bold or a simple stripe or by hanging artwork side by side to extend the eye outwards. You may find inspiration for stripe patterns on your favorite handbag or your collection of Motorola leather cases!

Most of all, you should have fun with the patterns, colors and textures that you bring into your home, and each room can either compliment the next or each can make a statement of its own. If you are really unsure about some of your choices, seek the help of a professional to guide your project and you cannot go wrong!