You don’t have to be a mathematician to be cognizant of one of the hottest trends in interior design—geometric patterns. While we see these patterns as new and fresh, they have been around for thousands of years. Geometry and interior décor have these common denominators: line, shape, form, symmetry, scale, and proportion.
The simplest geometric motif originated in the form of a straight line, which morphed into parallel lines that created stripes. Lines took on the shape of squares, triangles, diamonds, and octagons by adjoining straight lines at different angles. The ancient Greeks and Romans added their own twist to the straight line by creating the meander, a continuous duplicating motif found in the Greek key or fret and the chevron, an inverted v-shaped pattern. Circles or spheres have existed since creation—we inhabit what should be everyone’s favorite sphere—earth. Gothic architecture developed the circle and the straight line into more sophisticated designs bestowing us with the ogee, quatrefoil and barbed quatrefoil motifs. The diverse and elaborate ancient Chinese trellis or fret continues its far reaching influence as decorative ornamentation.
The Greek fret shown in this Fabricut trim is a timeless design motif.
The Cyan Design mirror and chandelier incorporate Gothic designs.
The fresh looking bedding collection from Legacy Linens showcases three distinctive patterns that work well together, the Chinese trellis, the Greek fret, and the stripe.
Incorporating geometric patterns into your environment can be subtle with elegant neutrals—white mixed with silver or beige, or exuberantly bold with contrasting colors—such as white juxtaposed with black, red or navy. The current trend for fabrics, rugs, and wallpapers includes two-color geometric patterns, with one of those colors, the background, being white or another light neutral.
Subtle elegance can be achieved by adding a touch of neutral colored geometry in the mix, as depicted on the two benches and textured rug.
Geometry gone wild! On the ceiling, on the floor, on the glass doors.
The trend of white plus one color is depicted on the headboard fabric that utilizes a barbed quatrefoil.
If you want to test the waters by adding a geometric pattern into your interior design scheme, start out small with decorative pillows or an area rug. For the bolder of heart, take the plunge and mix several geometric patterns together with solids, or with floral patterns. Vertical stripes can add height to your space, while horizontal stripes, diamond and hexagon shapes can expand it. When layering patterns, scale is an important factor. For a stylish, balanced appeal, varying the size of the patterns is usually most effective.
Mixed with the primary colors of blue, yellow and red, the bold black and white pattern on the sofa imparts a Mondrian feel to this interior.
Adventurous circles and rectangles of varying scale work well together.
Fashionable grey stripes heighten this hallway.
Patterned geometrics shine in any almost any style interior—contemporary, traditional or transitional. Not so surprisingly, mathematical shapes can enhance a furniture or accessory piece, catapulting it from plain to stunning.
The various shapes and patterns utilized in this Robert Hadley transitional interior
combine for stunning effect.
The metallic interlocking circles elevate a simple drum table to an extraordinary accent piece. Caracole.
The trellis design on the backs of the modernized Chippendale chairs are the main attraction in this tasteful dining room.
Are you ready to add a little math into your design equation?
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Photos courtesy of: House Beautiful, Elle Decor, LuxeSource, Architectural Digest, Robert Allen Fabrics, Fabricut, Caracole, Mannington Commercial, Legacy Linens, Phillip Jeffries