In the sixth of our series exploring the evolution of colour and pattern in British interiors, we look at how trends and historical influences have shaped British interiors, this time turning the spotlight to geometrics
FEATURE EMMA J PAGE
GEOMETRICS
Prized for their familiar repeat and pleasingly angular silhouettes, geometrics have been a recurring motif in both architecture and interiors for centuries, across several cultures and civilisations, from Ancient Egypt to Greece. Their form appears in art and design movements including Cubism, Bauhaus and Art Deco, bringing symmetry, balance and rhythm. Versatile and dynamic, geometrics are a staple of the fashion world too, with their simple, striking shapes and bright colours populating catwalks from the 1960s onwards. “Geometric patterns are a visual language all humans understand,” thinks A Rum Fellow’s Dylan O’Shea. “They are the building blocks of design.
This is especially true in cultures with strong weaving traditions, as the shapes achievable within the warp and weft are geometric, leading to a natural affinity with these forms.”
Right angles
Geometry has long existed in architecture: panelled walls, parquet flooring, moulded ceiling patterns and tessellated floor tiles are all examples of geometrics in action. Part of their enduring appeal is that a repeating shape or pattern can feel soothing and reassuring, creating a sense of balance. “Using different shapes, lines and angles produces a dynamic result,” says Jeffreys Interiors’ Georgina Frazer. “Geometrics add just the right amount of interest to a pared-back Scandi scheme, or can be thrown into the mix of a maximalist design to shake up florals and curves. David Hicks, one of my favourite designers, used these patterns on carpets, creating bold and timeless interiors.”
This is a design that can also add colour and vitality in a structured, less frilly way than a traditional chintz. On tiled flooring and walls, the effect can be achieved either through the shape and design of the tile itself, or via configuration of different coloured tiles to form a repeating pattern. In fabrics and papers, geometrics are often softer and more organic in form, including stripes, dots and Ikats.
Black-and-white geometrics are perhaps the most classic of all, because they are both impactful and timeless. “Pair a high-contrast monochrome chequerboard pattern with more delicate shades, like sage green, dusty rose, or pale turquoise, to soften the feel of a room,” a
