Blending & Balancing texture in your home
That big conundrum – how to add variety and interest to your home. Contemporary interiors are often designed with a background of blended colours and so the addition of texture is a great way to add that special touch to your home.
Texture can be added in many ways, and we thought we would share a few of our favourites with you. The Th2 design team are lucky enough to have a plethora of talented suppliers who are constantly creating new and exciting ideas, so inspiration never seems to be in short supply.
Consider the options
It is worth standing back and reviewing a room and where you could think about adding texture. Whether it be in the hard finishes such as joinery, wall coverings, furniture or in the fabric choices. Alongside the addition of texture, pattern can also be a great addition and you only need a little in a tailored interior scheme to give the final look another dimension.
Fabric Facts
Choice of fabrics is a fantastic way to start this process, incorporating different materials into a scheme can work wonders. Layering textures adds both depth and interest to a space. Consider mixing linen, wool, velvet & silk. Each fabric adding its own character to give a variety to the end results. Even within fabric groups you can mix up combinations – mixing up smooth wools with boucle, leather with suede, and deep pile mohair with smooth velvets. All these options can add a luxurious element and can be added in smaller elements when being mindful of budget. A velvet cushion or a leather trim really helps to add that point of difference.
Wallpaper Secrets
Wallpaper is an easy way to add pattern, colour and texture, all in one go.
Vinyl wallpaper – yes, vinyl, is an excellent choice as it is not only hard wearing but is also a budget friendly option. Vinyls are also much easier and quicker to hang so will keep your decorator’s price down too, as well as all this, it is wipe clean and family friendly whilst still looking great as well. As if that wasn’t enough, it also doesn’t fade with sunlight and is water and vapour resistant, making it ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. Available in loads of different textures and patterns, vinyl wallpapers are a go-to for our design team.
Another brilliant option we often use is Grass cloth wallpaper. Made from hand woven natural grasses such as hemp, bamboo, and sea grass – this environmentally friendly option is a stylish textured backdrop to any space and gives the room a warming and more welcoming feel. One word of warning though, grass cloth is not so easy to hang, so you will most probably need to find a wallpaper hanger who is familiar with using it.
Mix up your finishes
Often it can seem easier to select furniture in the same finish, however it really does pay off to be adventurous. Try to incorporate a variety of different materials, combining different timbers, metal, and lacquers in one room to create an eclectic feel. These hard finishes come in lots of different textures too – smooth, fluted, slatted, polished, matt, ridged…the list is endless. So be adventurous and choose a selection of different finishes that contrast but complement each other.
Adding Pattern
Finally, don’t forget that a dash of pattern adds another dimension to your contemporary design. Pattern can also add texture, whether the design is stitched on, lasered through or cut out of a fabric or material. Try a patterned rug under a plain sofa, or you can always trust the timeless cushion on a bed, chair, bench, or sofa. So be brave and look to a contrast of textures and a dash of pattern to set your interior scheme off with style
