Image copyright Clair Strong Interior Design

Distinctly bohemian yet surprisingly elegant, ikat has been inspiring new and unusual interior design ideas for a few years now. I’m particularly enthused by this trend because like tie-dye and tartan it has a long and fascinating history.

Very complicated dyeing and weaving techniques are used to create the familiar and recognisable ikat patterns. To colour the fabric, a resist dyeing process is used, similar to the process used in tie-dye, but rather than dyeing a finished piece of cloth, individual fibres are dyed instead. The elaborate patterns seen in ikat textiles are then painstakingly created on the loom as each thread is woven together. Modern Ikat Interior Design Ideas Ikat was considered a luxury good back when it was traded on the Silk Road. Today, interior designers are channelling that exotic opulence with reproduction ikat prints for modern living.

Designers like Robert Kime, Madeline Weinrib and brands like Schumacher have been pivotal in making ikat popular again. From furniture upholstery to floor rugs, window treatments, cushion covers and bed linens, ikat is a versatile and innovative textile.

If you love this ancient textile as much as I do, it’s easy to incorporate it into your home interior design. Ideas include boosting neutral tones with a burst of ikat print, creating a statement with ikat-inspired wallpaper and going all out with an eclectic mix of traditional patterns.