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| Floral Patterns Fresh spring colors lend warmth and character to a bleak, angular room. Large sprigs have the effect of opening out a room and raising a ceiling, particularly when arranged in vertical strips. In a small room with irregular shapes, an attic for example, a miniature floral in random sequences would be more suitable, since a regular line will hightlight crooked walls or ceilings. The type of floral design may also suggest an ear, a national style or the purpose of a room. Large Motifs A large design continued over the walls and ceiling will help to conceal starngely shapes corners and will soften a series of harsh or irregular angles. A big motif, however, will only look comfortable if the room is broad or tall enough to accomodate it. It is not easy to mix floral designs, particularly if a floral forms a main feature or contains large shapes. The best effects are created by picking up the main color of the pattern in other parts of the room, and using a neutral second color, such as white, as a backdrop and to co-ordinate accessories. Geometric Patterns A geometric pattern instantly gives a room a clean and modern feel, particularly suitable for a bathroom. Ideally, the lines should complement any other verticals and horizontals, such as the grouting lines in tiles of the slats of blinds. The angles of the room, however, must be straight or the geometric lines will exaggerate any irregularities. A tiny motif within the geometric will help to soften lines and one or two colors should be repeated in other parts of the room. A Printed Collage Menus, wine labels, newspapers, magazines, catalogs, and other printed matter, arranged into a collage, will form an unusual wall covering. This sort of montage is best pasted on to a small area to form a feature in a study a bathroom, or a child's bedroom. |
| Color & Pattern for Effect |
| Arranging Pictures & Mirrors |
| For maximum impact and a harmonious effect, pictures and mirrors should be positioned with care. A special picture should stand on its own, provided it is not so small that it is lost in a large expanse of wall. Balance is as important as scale. It is not always a good idea to centralize a picture; it may look better offset but in harmony with a piece of furniture, for example. Smaller pictures often look best grouped together into a composite shape, but you can always try working out arrangements on the floor, before hanging them on the wall. Mirrors can be both functional and decorative, but the positioning is crucial. A well-placed mirror can create the illusion of light and space, but it is usually wise to keep the bottom edge well above ground level. Grouping Pictures Small pictures of photographs are often best assembled into a shape such as a pyramid or oval or aligned with an imaginary line through the center of the collection. For the best effects, the individual images should perhaps be linked by a common color, style, shape or subject matter. Creating Space with Mirror A dark, narrow corridor or a small, oppressive room will feel larger and lighter if a mirror is hung down the entire length of one wall. Full-length mirrored panels applied to closet doors, for example, can dramatically increase the sense of space. Practical Mirrors Bedroom and bathroom mirrors, used as an aid to dressing and make-up, can in fact form an attractive focal point. Functional mirrors should be hung at a convenient height. |
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