Images: Clair Strong Interior Design

2016 is officially The Year of the Print.

Advances in printing technology have led to a pattern design revolution…and I couldn’t be more excited about it. From hyper realistic map prints to bold watercolour florals, delicate botanicals, pastel geometrics and trippy psychedelics, it’s hard to pick a favourite.

But we’ll give it a jolly good try. Here are some of the prints and patterns blowing me away at the moment.

Bold Blooms

The floral print has taken on an almost text-book style illustrative look. These artistic designs often look as though they have been painted or sketched by hand. They’re the sophisticated older sister of Liberty-esque ditsy prints and psychedelic florals.

So, how do you incorporate such striking designs into your home? With a very steady hand. Don’t overdo it. One accent wall or a few scatter cushions are all you need to indulge this kind of print.

Graphic Geometry

From painstakingly detailed and hyper realistic floral designs to something a little more conceptual: geometric prints. They’ve been taking the design world by storm for a few years now, but in 2016 they really came into their own.

Heavily inspired by the Modernist art movement and the work of such artists as Mondrian and Kandinsky, these prints offer a minimalist alternative to more ornate designs. The focus is on colour and contrast, rather than detail or realism.

Global Influence

Traditional patterns from around the world are becoming ever more present in Western design. Think Kilim rugs from Iran and Turkey, Central and South American Ikat and Ghanaian Kente. These designs have a rich cultural history, and are often steeped in meaning to both the people who create them and the people who buy them. This just adds to their beauty. Unlike Western pattern design, which is often printed, these traditional ethnic patterns are usually created on the loom.

Traveller-chic is really on trend at the moment, so keep an eye out for beautiful patterns and textiles on your next trip. Or search online for authentic pieces made in the traditional way. Mix and match your finds around the home for a touch of worldly, bohemian flair.