Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen explains how texture and pattern both have a major role in creating the right atmosphere in a room. “There is something inherently satisfying about a repeated design, and every culture has evolved different ways of making patterns,” says Laurence. But, despite being make-over hungry, decorating dabblers have lost their confidence in motifs and flat colour is the most popular choice of wall covering.
Laurence looks back to the Victorians and their bold decorating style, which embraced the new patterned and textured wallpapers. “From the 1840s to the 1960s, Britain had a love affair with pattern … indeed, most of our houses were designed with pattern in mind,” he says.
In the laboratory studio, Laurence demonstrates the fundamental rules of pattern such as how to choose the right size and type of pattern for a room; how too large a repeat will make a room appear smaller; and how to visually extend a pokey room.