As some of you will know, we have recently added Jacqueline Milton’s stunning fabric designs to our Meg Morton fabric collections. Jacqueline’ unique designs sit perfectly with our existing fabrics, fused by our shared passion for our beloved countryside, flora, fauna, woodlands and hedgerows here in Dorset. Our colour palettes are relaxed and timeless and perfect to add a touch of relaxed country style to your home.
Vicky and I hope that the expanded ranges of designs and colours will give you even more inspiration to help you create your own moodboards and room schemes.
Where to start! The prospect can sometimes be quite daunting so we hope the following suggestions will help you. You’ll soon be able to tackle further schemes with ease.
First of all relax and take time to consider what you actually need from the space. would you prefer a relaxed neutral palette or a more vibrant colourful backdrop? How many lamps might you need etc. Home is your sanctuary so it should be relaxing and comforting but still reflect your own particular character.
You may have already chosen a favourite pattern or colour palette for your hero fabric or have a favourite painting or heirloom piece that might inspire you. Pinterest is a fabulous starting point for ideas and it saves on hundreds of magazine cuttings!
Firstly, consider the focal point within your room that uses the most amount of fabric which is usually the curtains and blinds or in a bedroom it may even be upholstered headboards.
You'll then need to think about co ordinating fabric for lampshades, cushions, and even occasional use upholstered pieces that will all help tie a scheme together.
Using a variety of patterns ( start with a minimum of 3 ) within a room will add interest, colour, depth and balance and will provide a pleasing scheme you will be happy to live with for many years. The absolute key is to use different scales so that the designs compliment each other and don’t just compete. A huge number of different patterns will make your room look very busy so don’t over complicate things.
Your main curtain or blind fabric will act as a hero design to which you can add smaller scale designs, stripes and geometrics to help complete a fully co ordinated look. You can even use an elegant stripe as a pretty curtain lining.
Smaller scale patterns are perfect for lampshades and cushions as they will link colours throughout the room. Adding textural block style prints is also a good idea as it will soften a look and is easily achieved with cushions or lamp shades.
Always spend a little time considering cushions for your sofa or bed as they are the the ideal tool to help pull a scheme together. We offer some lovely cushion styles and sizes online in any of our fabrics. Contrasting pom pom trims or fan edges will add detail, texture and interest too and can even be used along leading curtain edges.
We can supply fabric and wallpaper swatches, ordered online, to help you make a start with your moodboard. Your chosen selection will make it easier to see how designs and colours will work together before you commit yourself. We can also provide larger returnable / refundable fabric samples once you have narrowed your choice down. It’s always a good idea to look at swatches at different times of the day as well as in natural and artificial light.
We have also added a moodboard section online which offers some lovely completed schemes if you would prefer. These schemes come complete with Fenwick and Tilbrook co ordinating paint suggestions and even suggested curtain / cushion trims
Don’t forget that we are here to assist too if you need extra help putting your scheme together.
To Summarise
1) Consider the use of your room and what you need from it.
2) Choose your main hero fabric for main curtains or blinds.
3) Put together your colour palette using colours from your hero fabric.
4) Add co ordinating fabrics in different scales for cushions, shades, and occasional upholstery to pull your scheme together. Try to include a stripe and a geometric too and maybe a textural design for interest.
5) View samples in both daylight and artificial light.
6) Consider cushion and shade styles to add balance and interest along with fabrics for occasional upholstered pieces.
7) Choose co ordinating paint colours.
8) Put together your moodboard and reassess to make sure you are happy.
