Pulling the scheme together

Pulling the Scheme Together

Once you have planned your layout, you can now turn your attention to colour schemes and fabric choices.

My Top Tips for Choosing Fabrics and Colours

• Make sure any fabric you choose is appropriate for the climate the house is in. For example, a taffeta fabric is not a sensible choice for a beach environment; it is much more suited to a city. Think about the fabrics you might wear in certain climates, as these often parallel the types of fabric that would work well in a home.

• As well as being practically suitable, a fabric should give the right feeling for a room. Cosy wools and chenilles are ideal for a countryside home, whereas lighter cottons and rustic linens would be better for a coastal home.

• Similarly, the fabric should be suitable for the usage. Heavier-duty weaves and linens are best for frequently used upholstery, while more delicate silks or embroidery fabrics can be used on occasional chairs, curtains and cushions.

• Plan small and subtle details into your curtain design and upholstery; trims and braids help to give a much more considered finish.

• Try to include a mixture of textures to give the room a layered and tactile feel.

• Always be sure to incorporate a variety of different scales across the fabrics you choose. You should be looking to have a mix of larger and smaller prints with plains, stripes and more organic patterns.

• Prevent your scheme from looking too tonal by adding in a small element of contrasting colour – this will give intrigue and interest to a room design.

• Aim to create a balance between neutral plains and colourful patterns across the room. This may eventually look effortless, but it takes time to configure the placement of colour so that the accents echo each other.

• A mood board is a fantastic way to bring all your ideas together in a visual way so that you can start to see how the room scheme will look in reality. It can also help to highlight any areas where you may be missing something.

Your Assignment

Gather samples of fabric and begin to experiment with how your room scheme might come together. Consider which fabrics could go where, depending on their suitability, pattern and colour.