The principles of scheming

The Principles of Scheming

Working out the scheme of a room is both fun and challenging in equal measure. It takes time and practice to really hone your skill and I've certainly learnt some lessons over the years.

Tips for creating a scheme

• If you can, I would always recommend starting with a rug. From there, you can play around with fabrics and wall colours that complement the rug until you are happy.
• Use a numbered floor plan to mark exactly where you envision each fabric, paint colour or wallpaper going.
• A scheme isn't just about colour, it's also about texture and variety. Make sure you're including a range of fabrics; from smooth and shiny, to thick and boucle.
• Consider the performance of the fabrics and how this relates to your use of them. In a busy family household with children and dogs, you might want to opt for indoor-outdoor fabrics that can be washed. Sofa fabrics will need to be upholstery weight, whereas curtain fabrics should have a fluid handle and drape beautifully.
• I always like to include one 'odd' fabric that doesn't quite match or coordinate. I think this helps a room to feel less contrived and more like it has evolved over time.
• Don't forget to think about how you are decorating the ceiling and the floor - a painted ceiling can add a real wow factor to a room. A trick we like to use is painting a low ceiling in a glossy grey colour which helps to make the room feel more spacious.
• As well as working from the floor plans, make sure you are also referencing the elevations. If you are just starting out, it can be helpful to make a model of the room using a cardboard box and cut out pieces of card to encourage yourself to start thinking three-dimensionally.