The Art of Layering
As an English interior designer who specialises in creating distinctively personal, elegantly relaxed home interiors, my focus lies in layering a space to intrigue the eye and to imbue a feeling of homely calm.
Interiors by Charlotte Thomas Studio, 2020
Tempted as I may be by beautifully patterned wallpapers in a living room, the most successful foundation for a layered scheme is simple, plain walls. The walls might be textured, using grass cloth or paper-backed linen, but only ever in a single colour and without pattern.
I like to focus a layered scheme on a large-scale pattern such as a floral, geometric or a painterly abstract. From this the colour palette is taken. Selecting just two of those colours, with a neutral as a calming base, I will choose a subtle stripe, a geometric small-print and a plain - varying the colour gradients to give depth.
The type of colour palette also needs to be carefully considered as it will set the mood. I specialise in period country properties, so I am mindful of the room's architecture and the rural views through the windows. My colour choices are therefore mainly muted, earthy and natural. Greens, blues, browns, dusky pinks, ochre yellows and creams are my trusted hues.
The amount of each pattern and colour used in the room is critical. Too much pattern - floral, abstract, geometric or stripe - and/or too much strong colour can be overwhelming. In a living room I aim for just one focal piece such as an armchair, ottoman or rug in a more stand-out pattern or colour, while the remaining fabric choices are used to balance the scheme, creating an easy, relaxed atmosphere.
Textured materials are also key. Some luxe fabrics like cashmere, mohair, alpaca and velvet are super soft and feel warm to the touch. Mixing such materials with rougher ones such as organic linen, grass cloth wallpaper or rustic wood as well as cold-to-the-touch elements like glass, ceramic or metal creates an experience that is both interesting to the eye and to the skin.
The final layers in a living room are provided by lighting and fragrance. Lighting can make or break a room scheme and critically alters the mood. I don't use overhead lighting, preferring low-level lighting - wall sconces and table lamps with warm light bulbs and always on dimmable circuits. Fragrances conjure up the mood before you even enter the room, so I carefully select candles and diffusers. For a serene atmosphere in an elegant space, woody scents with a hint of orange and amber are wonderful.
A layered room scheme when carefully considered can produce a space that feels calm and cocooning - almost like it has always been there.
