How to use texture to personalise a room
Monday, 13 December 2010 3:12 PM
Interior designers are always citing 'texture' as an instant means of giving rooms more warmth and atmosphere.
While this might sound a bit jargon-y (after all, surely everything has a texture by definition), it's an important point: juxtaposing unlikely fabrics and surface finishes can be a quick fix for anyone hoping to individualise a space. Even if your entire home is filled with products from a certain Scandinavian warehouse chain, adding a chunky-knit throw here and a sequined table cloth there will instantly make the space feel less generic.
Trendsters will be well aware of the popularity of natural materials at the moment. Think feature walls clad in slate tiles, lambswool cushion covers and wicker basket chairs and you'll get the idea. Furthermore, texture can be particularly evocative if used seasonally: rich velvets and chenilles add a luxurious, cosy ambience in winter, while floaty linens and nautical driftwoods will feel like a breath of fresh air during summer.
One of the best bits about focusing on texture is that it allows you to play with the concept of what goes where. The picture below is the perfect example: hanging a rug on the wall not only demonstrates that you think outside the box, it also means grubby footprints won't detract from its beauty!
The Queen's Head, by Stamp Rugs, from £695
If, however, you're on a budget, get crafty. Customisation is a fun - and unique - way of jazzing things up, and companies such as VV Rouleaux sell trimmings, ribbons and sparkly bits which can be sewn onto existing homeware to give it an instant new textural lease of life.
