Guaranteed Design Success

Terrie — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:04:06 +0000

Repeat, Repeat, Repeat. No, not words, but a motif. A sure way to pull a look together is by repeating a design element around a room and this is a design technique that interior designers use all the time. If you really want to integrate a home, repeat a design motif or elements of a pattern throughout the home, beginning with the entry.

Gate on a house in Palm Springs

I was in Palm Springs, CA over the weekend visiting friends. On our morning walk we went by this house and I noticed the striking gate – simple, elegant, dramatic – a perfect courtyard gate framed by this great slate tile.

As I walked back to the house I noticed that the same motif of the gate is repeated in the front door. The impact is instant and impressive and you just know the rest of the house will be equally cohesive. Note the symmetry of the potted spiral trees flanking the front door – it reinforces the clean modern lines but adds a touch of green and life to the entry courtyard.

Palm Springs home with repeating motif.

When you find a motif that you think you’d like to use throughout a space, the caution I’d give you is not to overdo a good thing. You don’t need that motif EVERYWHERE, just frequently enough that it pulls other elements together.

For example, using the gate and front door example here, you might use interlocking circles as a bannister treatment, a circle design on toss pillows in the living room, a vase with painted overlapping circles and maybe a lamp base with silver stacked ovals.

Moving to the kitchen the motif could be in found the cabinet hardware and a piece of art or table centerpiece. Try open oval backs on the dining room chairs. As you enter the bedrooms you might find an oval metal framed mirror, a bench with circle patterned fabric, a wall treatment focusing on circles (see my post idea for painting circles on your wall).

Hopefully you noticed that none of these suggestions have the motif repeated on one of the large impact pieces of a space. While you could use that option (depending on the motif), it’s often easier and safer to carry it out in accent and accessory items. They are easier to replace or change if you get tired of that particular pattern or design.

What you repeat can be anything from a geometric shape like the circles here, or squares, etc. It can be an accent color that is carried throughout a space in a planned and balanced way. It can be a texture – rough sisal and rattan or shiny silks or sparkling hammered silver. Whatever you choose, use it judiciously…..and sometimes it can even be so subtle (a tone on tone pattern) that it only registers subconsciously…..but it registers. And it will improve the unity of the room.

I used this technique successfully in decorating model homes – it’s a surefire way to make a space feel coordinated and pulled together (especially a smaller space or home). Here are a couple of examples – do you see the motif repetition?

Model home living room.

Model home dining room.

Model home bathroom.

As you can see, the circle motif and the color is prevalent throughout the condo but in a slightly different format in each room. Because this was a model home and people like to see big and bold ideas, I didn’t follow my own recommendation of using the motif repetition in accent areas – I went for drama! The colorful drapes, the big art (dining rm) and the busy wallpaper (bath) make a pretty big statement and is one that not everyone would enjoy living with on a daily basis. Pick and choose where you want your “big statement” to be then reinforce your motif more gently in other areas.

Have you had a successful use of repetition as a design technique? We’d love to see some photos. If you want some help in recognizing or developing a motif, ask me. If you’ve got a room started but are not sure where to go next, ask me. I’d love to help.

Your Decorating Hotline » motif repetition

Guaranteed Design Success