Decorating
10 Texturific Techniques That Go Against the Grain
Playing texture against texture will engage all your senses and deliver the extra layers of detail your home may be lacking
Although colour and pattern make obvious statements, texture adds dimension to a home, offering visual and tactile appeal. Texture is not just confined to fabrics, but also to finishes. Texture can range from man-made to natural, from glossy laminates, smooth marble and open-weave hessian to sheepskin chair covers. Texture adds depth to a space, layers of comfort, and visual interest that can be inviting and questioning at the same time.
As award-winning Greg Natale says in his latest book, The Tailored Interior, “Textures provide another level to play with – mix soft and hard furnishings for dramatic effect.”
Play with texture and your home will come alive…
As award-winning Greg Natale says in his latest book, The Tailored Interior, “Textures provide another level to play with – mix soft and hard furnishings for dramatic effect.”
Play with texture and your home will come alive…
Use the ceiling
You can bring in texture at every level, even to the ceiling. Architectural features such as timber-lined ceilings can further add textural flair to your home. It immediately makes the eyes soar upwards.
You can bring in texture at every level, even to the ceiling. Architectural features such as timber-lined ceilings can further add textural flair to your home. It immediately makes the eyes soar upwards.
Add pebbles to bathroom walls or floors
To me, pebbles are one of nature’s most gorgeous gifts. Each pebble is unique in colour, shape and size, and when laying them in cement or concrete they stick out at varying angles creating a perfect textural artwork.
TIP: Push pebbles you have collected on your favourite beach holidays into wet cement or concrete on the floor. This will take your beach into your bathroom, as well as give you the ultimate in ‘sole therapy’.
To me, pebbles are one of nature’s most gorgeous gifts. Each pebble is unique in colour, shape and size, and when laying them in cement or concrete they stick out at varying angles creating a perfect textural artwork.
TIP: Push pebbles you have collected on your favourite beach holidays into wet cement or concrete on the floor. This will take your beach into your bathroom, as well as give you the ultimate in ‘sole therapy’.
Get creative in a DIY artwork
Artworks can be three-dimensional and an instant addition of texture. Create your own with lichen branches, roots from an old tree, or a variety of feathers inserted into a polystyrene square or round.
Artworks can be three-dimensional and an instant addition of texture. Create your own with lichen branches, roots from an old tree, or a variety of feathers inserted into a polystyrene square or round.
Make use of natural stone
Marble offers a visual texture with its veins of darker colours running through it. Pared with dark timbers and glossy reflective surfaces, marble is perfect in a contemporary, classical, traditional or industrial setting.
Marble can create a textural illusion and doesn’t have to be felt to be sensed.
TIP: Make your textures work together by repeating them in the one space.
Marble offers a visual texture with its veins of darker colours running through it. Pared with dark timbers and glossy reflective surfaces, marble is perfect in a contemporary, classical, traditional or industrial setting.
Marble can create a textural illusion and doesn’t have to be felt to be sensed.
TIP: Make your textures work together by repeating them in the one space.
Go with the grain
This bedroom is so varied in texture that it requires very little ornamentation.
The elements of texture are the focus and work in harmony, from the wood panelling and the buck hides on the cushions, to the grass mat, the button-back leather headboard and the high-gloss joinery. Every texture has been implemented here, but the room remains uncluttered and cohesive as the varying textures complement each other tonally.
This bedroom is so varied in texture that it requires very little ornamentation.
The elements of texture are the focus and work in harmony, from the wood panelling and the buck hides on the cushions, to the grass mat, the button-back leather headboard and the high-gloss joinery. Every texture has been implemented here, but the room remains uncluttered and cohesive as the varying textures complement each other tonally.
Although the panelling is black rather than a more natural shade, in this bedroom the presence of texture is enough for the rest of the room to sit comfortably unadorned.
Give white walls some interest
Texture is the quiet achiever in this area. Without its contrasts, this wardrobe area could look sterile.
The simplest items can breathe life into a white space through the use of baskets, a visible wood grain and pared-back timber – all set against white on white, and crisp cotton or linen accessories. Even the addition of a touch of metal will add a little element of surprise.
Learn more about this penthouse apartment.
Texture is the quiet achiever in this area. Without its contrasts, this wardrobe area could look sterile.
The simplest items can breathe life into a white space through the use of baskets, a visible wood grain and pared-back timber – all set against white on white, and crisp cotton or linen accessories. Even the addition of a touch of metal will add a little element of surprise.
Learn more about this penthouse apartment.
Add creature comforts
Layering with soft furnishings is the easiest way to add texture. Throws, slips, cushions and, of course, that very necessary ingredient, a divine dog, all add depth and comfort to decor.
TIP: You don’t need a large room to add textural interest. You can use a combination of textures in small styled areas, for example, on the top of your coffee table with a glossy book; a wire-woven platter; or a cactus planted in a glass terrarium with smooth round pebbles.
Layering with soft furnishings is the easiest way to add texture. Throws, slips, cushions and, of course, that very necessary ingredient, a divine dog, all add depth and comfort to decor.
TIP: You don’t need a large room to add textural interest. You can use a combination of textures in small styled areas, for example, on the top of your coffee table with a glossy book; a wire-woven platter; or a cactus planted in a glass terrarium with smooth round pebbles.
Look at the deep layering that comes into play in this bedroom: the textures in the timber, concrete, velvet, woven blanket, soft rug and bedding work together to add comfort and style.
TIP: For harmony, use a variety of textures but stick to the same wood grain throughout the room – and the same travertine, sheer and leather, where applicable. This will help make the textured items all talk to each other and not be left sitting in isolation.
TIP: For harmony, use a variety of textures but stick to the same wood grain throughout the room – and the same travertine, sheer and leather, where applicable. This will help make the textured items all talk to each other and not be left sitting in isolation.
Work in weathered woods
If colour is not your ‘thing’, bringing a variety of textures into your home will alleviate any decorating boredom.
Bring texture into your home with natural materials, from worn wooden floorboards or furniture, natural grass floor coverings; grass cloth wallpapers; to open weaves and natural linens.
The overall look in this dining room is sophisticated, calm and luxurious in an earthy way.
TIP: You can create the illusion of texture with patterns in nature by leaving joinery unpainted (stained only) to allow the wood grain to feature.
EXTRA TIP: You can harmonise with texture by using textures of a similar character, i.e. natural fibres and materials.
If colour is not your ‘thing’, bringing a variety of textures into your home will alleviate any decorating boredom.
Bring texture into your home with natural materials, from worn wooden floorboards or furniture, natural grass floor coverings; grass cloth wallpapers; to open weaves and natural linens.
The overall look in this dining room is sophisticated, calm and luxurious in an earthy way.
TIP: You can create the illusion of texture with patterns in nature by leaving joinery unpainted (stained only) to allow the wood grain to feature.
EXTRA TIP: You can harmonise with texture by using textures of a similar character, i.e. natural fibres and materials.
Mixing up textures is not for looks alone. The material contrast under your feet can also be worth striving for – walking from wood or carpet to sisal, or from cool tiles to a soft sheepskin is wonderful.
SHARE WITH US
What interesting textures have you introduced into your home? Tell us in the comments section.
MORE
12 Texture-Terrific Bathrooms That Engage the Senses
Houzz Tour: Layering Colour and Texture in a Spanish Mission Apartment
Texture-Rich Tricks You Can Reach Out and Touch
SHARE WITH US
What interesting textures have you introduced into your home? Tell us in the comments section.
MORE
12 Texture-Terrific Bathrooms That Engage the Senses
Houzz Tour: Layering Colour and Texture in a Spanish Mission Apartment
Texture-Rich Tricks You Can Reach Out and Touch
Different textures on two adjoining walls in the same room immediately adds a tactile quality to a space.
From a smooth matt paint to a rough white-washed brick, the visual interest is immediately awakened. This excitement is further enhanced by the contrast of the black and white. Overall, harmony is delivered with the repetition of the dominant white in the bed linen, skirting, lighting, furnishings and artwork.
Opposites do attract, and as in nature with soft sand against a shell; and coarse tree trunk bark against a silky leaf, pitting fine textures against rough ones in your home can only result in a textural feast.