Go Wild!
28 Jul 2012
Reinvented ancient patterns make every space pop with their bold colors and tribal designs.
By Mary Lynn Bruny Want a fresh face for your décor? Then it’s time to go wild! Everywhere you look this season you’ll find mod reinventions of classic ancient patterns in rugs, throws, pillows and poufs. Vibrant, Old-World textiles like rich kilims and vivid ikats punch up a room and easily slip into most interiors, whether it’s a bohemian, elegant or traditional space. Colorful and bold tribal textiles inject a playful yet cultured vibe.
Crate & Barrel’s color-rich contemporary living room is an energizing mix of bright tones perfect for summer. This room shows how to successfully mix complementary ikat patterns: Choose one large-scale print (on the ottomans) and add smaller repetitious prints to go with it (the throw pillows and rug).
“Mixing textures, colors and pieces from all types of locales is a major trend right now,” says Susan Feldman, co founder and chief merchandising officer of One Kings Lane, a home-products shopping website. “Introducing accessories with bold patterns, like an ikat or animal print, is an easy way to make a room feel dynamic and modern—and less dated.”
So retire your stuffy damask and worn-out floral accents, and introduce these invigorating textiles for a sophisticated interior-design update.
Ikat designs are equally at home in contemporary and traditional interiors. The ikat pillows and curtains in Crate & Barrel’s modern blue and neutral living room, add a simple, playful splash to this sophisticated, calm interior .
Exotic accents, like Divine Design’s lime pillow and raspberry floor cushion, add shots of color and culture. They pair well with most fabrics, from casual to plush.
Kilim pieces have long adorned Colorado homes. No wonder: Their rugged beauty reflects Colorado’s earthy colors and textures, and they’re incredibly sturdy, standing up to both cowboy and ski boots. Today’s designs, such as Divine Design’s woolen kilim pouf, come in an array of rich colors and hip shapes, lending them to both traditional and contemporary interiors. Kilims work well with other heavy textiles, such as leather, suede, wool and corduroy.
Traditional interiors with richer upholstered pieces do best with softer, blurry ikat prints in slightly subdued tones, such as warm goldenrod or soft brick red. With backgrounds of creamy white, ikat patterns help brighten and update classic interiors, such as those with heavy wood pieces or classic upholstery.
If you love a contemporary look and dramatic style, consider adding an overdyed rug by Stark, a hip version of its ancient relatives. Overdyed rugs’ vibrant colors and dramatic patterns set the stage for all other interior choices. Pair them with modern or classic pieces in monochromatic color schemes.
No matter which accessories you choose, these fun and fab textiles pack a colorful punch! 
