My design signature: Contrast Piping

When I say 'signature' I know we all think straight away to our written name, but what I’m referring to here is that little distinctive mark or characteristic we each have - something unique to us. We all have multiple signatures; the signature dish, the signature look, or style. It’s something we know won’t fail us, we love, and don’t tend to change.

For those of you that know me in a design sense you can probably guess my design signature. I jump up and down about it all the time - to me it is the icing on the cake in an interior. It highlights the shape of furniture, contrasts colours and is the simplest and most inexpensive trim: contrast piping!

The chocolate piping highlights the shape of the sofa and connects the pink sofa to the otherwise monotone room. 

Trim or passamentrie [the professional terminology] on anything is amazing. It’s the final customisation on a piece and the options are endless [I will write soon on all the different types available]. The only downfall is that generally trim is expensive, especially good quality trim. Piping however can be made, making it completely unique and one of the cheapest options, or alternatively purchased by the metre ready-made.

Courtesy of The Haby Goddess http://thehabygoddess.blogspot.com.au

Plain piping is a beautiful detail; to me it finishes the joins in upholstery and adds finesse to the piece that you may not necessarily notice. Contrast piping on the other hand draws your eye to it!

Great highlight of the rounded arm and balanced with the wide band around the skirt.

Orange and purple who would have thought, but it connects the colours in the room.

Would have loved a better image of these chairs to show you the white deep buttons matching the piping. 

Navy and white, very crisp!

The green piping on this little occasional chair breaks it up and connects it to the rest of the room.

Would have loved to have seen this piping continued on the skirt.

The piping breaks these dining chairs up, they may have otherwise looked like black blobs.

Maybe contrast piping is something to consider for your next upholstery purchase?

Designer Review: Martin Lawrence-Bullard

As you know I love all fabrics, but top of the list are ranges designed by Interior Designers. They're different; they're dramatic and punchy; they don’t worry about the basic plains and small pattern repeats - it’s all about them! They’re generally larger than life and so are their fabrics.

Martin Lawrence-Bullard is one of the world’s top Interior Designers. He has won the Andrew Martin International Interior Designer of the Year award; had his work published in over 700 publications; a client list ranging from Jimmy Choo to Kid Rock and Sir Elton John, and now his own fabric line.

I know you’re excited. You’re thinking a man who designs for Kid Rock and Jimmy Choo - this is going to be good - and it is!

His latest collection ‘Ottomania’ is a series of re-interpreted tribal styles inspired by years of travel to exotic locations.

The ethnic/tribal theming of this collection is really my cup of tea. If it’s not yours though, look how the different colours in each of the patterns work to create such diverse looks.

That’s the power of fabric!

If you are interested in more visit http://www.martynlawrencebullard.com

Monday's Lesson: Pattern 101 Chevron v's Herringbone

Using the correct terminology isn’t a must in every situation - quite often pointing; making descriptive sounds, and saying words like 'thingy', 'whatchamacallit', and 'doobywhatsit' will do the job.

However if time is of the essence and there is no room for error, knowing the right terminology can be beneficial. So, I thought why not start by looking at two terms in the fabric world that often get overlapped, confused and misappropriated - 'Chevron' and 'Herringbone'.

I hear you saying, "But aren’t they the same thing?" No, hence why it is the subject of today!

Believe it or not, there is just the slightest difference between the two, enough that somewhere back in history there was a need to give each their own term.

The difference:
A Chevron pattern is a continuous inverted 'V' shape, like a zigzag.

Whilst a Herringbone pattern looks like a broken zigzag - a result of a break in the pattern at the reversal.

Although very similar, the patterns have had quite different backgrounds. Herringbone got its name from its resemblance to a Herring fish skeleton, and originated predominately in men’s suiting. Whilst the Chevron pattern was first seen as early as 1800 BC in rock paintings and pottery carvings, prior to be being used to distinguish rank in the armed forces, amongst other organisations.

So there you have it, you know now which term, for which pattern.

Whilst the Herringbone being a small pattern repeat and a classic design has always been around, the Chevron pattern seems to have its moments in the spotlight and is currently one of the largest pattern trends.

Large scale Chevron, great colour balance in room.

Great love seat idea.

Just the tiniest bit of Chevron makes these beds pop!

Schumacher High Voltage colour Espresso.

The Chevron pattern thins and fattens at different points giving the look of a Herringbone.

Schumacher Adras Ikat Colour Jewel.

This is my bedroom - my favourite Aura quilt cover set - in a Chevron pattern!

Love the colour combination, repetition of the pattern, and that ceiling!

If you’re interested in more ways to incorporate Herringbone and Chevron patterns into your decorating, check out my Pinterest board http://pinterest.com/bobbinscissors/pattern-101-chevron-v-s-herringbone/