In this fourth series about design advice rules on Texture and Pattern by the BBC, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen explains how texture and pattern both have a major fundamental role in creating the right mood atmosphere in a room. “There is something inherently satisfying about a repeated design, and every culture has evolved different ways of making patterns,” says Laurence.

But Laurence feels that , despite the British home owner who love  decorating their homes, they  have lost their confidence, especially in motifs,  and that flat colours are still the most popular choice of wall covering!.

Laurence looks back to the Victorians and their bold decorating style, which embraced the new patterned and textured wallpapers. “From the 1840s to the 1960s, Britain had a love affair with pattern … indeed, most of our houses were designed with pattern in mind,” he says.

In the BBC laboratory studio, Laurence demonstrates the fundamental rules of pattern such as how to choose the right size and type of pattern for a room; how too large a repeat will make a room appear smaller; and how to visually extend a pokey room.

This video number four is a must watch if you are trying to plan a makeover of your home or a new property, and if you have a classic small or large classic house then watch this and learn.

This bedroom is given a classic monochrome look, it is given a chic update with some very feminine touches of colour and strong patterned wallpaper. This particular video is covers the use of colour, furniture and accessories. Ideal for a very “girly’ look bedroom suiting all ages.

It shows the whole process from start to finish and is produced by BBC Good Home magazine

“It’s time to flirt with scariness,” says Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, “because behind every door lurks the chaos factor — you!” An architect may design identical houses but, once people move in, each house takes on the owner’s personality.

Laurence demonstrates how to apply the design rules to reflect individual personality. “Nearly every room you go into says something very, very specific about the people who live in it,” comments Laurence.

The most obvious and fundamental design differences are between extroverted and introverted people. “The extrovert personality type is linked to thrill-seeking and that risk-taking element can be found in what they do with their homes,” explains Professor Barrie Gunner of the University of Sheffield. “They may be inclined to use bold and exciting colour schemes and they like to have a lot of things around them creating stimulation.”

Introverts, however, are biologically different to extroverts. “They have different types of nervous systems,” adds Professor Gunner. “The introvert is less tolerant of physical stimulation.They will tend to shy away from bold reds and oranges and yellows and prefer cooler blues and greens.”

Laurence, maybe not surprisingly, advises people to just be bold and have the courage of their convictions.

This video shows the entire process of vegetable dye textile production at the Adivasi Veg. dye production house in Rajasthan. Vegetable Dye textiles are an extremely labor intensive process and the knowledge of the traditional skills of creating these textiles remains with a handful of artisans in India today. So great to learn and see the traditional techniques of all the different products we take for granted in the West.

In this fifth video episode Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen offers top tips on creating balance and order in modern-day homes. Learn the basic interior design principles of balance, rhythm, harmony, emphasis and proportion to create a superbly designed room

In the 21st century, homes have taken on the role of providing a spiritual nourishment for stressful lives. Laurence demonstrates ancient rules of design that use focal points as energy lines within a room, long before the word Interior Design was ever used, i.e an early Feng Shui.

He reveals that there are even more fundamental reasons for humans preferring symmetrical arrangements. According to psychologists, this is a recreation of human physical symmetry. Most people prefer the aesthetics of balanced faces because it indicates a healthy diet and strong genes.

By watching this video and using the basic interior design principles used by every interior designer to create a great design you  can have a great looking home that is fun and healthy.

An amateur video of a Singhalese Lady from Sri Lanka who is producing her own colorful fabrics to later on make shirts and sarongs sold mainly to foreign visitors looking for a handmade and more personal gift to carry home. Shirts are custom made for each client if requested with designs unique to the clients orders.
Batik: Melted wax is applied to cloth before being dipped in dye. It is common for people to use a mixture of beeswax and paraffin wax. The beeswax will hold to the fabric and the paraffin wax will allow cracking, which is a characteristic of batik. Wherever the wax has seeped through the fabric, the dye will not penetrate. Sometimes several colours are used, with a series of dyeing, drying and waxing steps.

Thin wax lines are made with a canting, a wooden handled tool with a tiny metal cup with a tiny spout, out of which the wax seeps. After the last dyeing, the fabric is hung up to dry. Then it is dipped in a solvent to dissolve the wax, or ironed between paper towels or newspapers to absorb the wax and reveal the deep rich colors and the fine crinkle lines that give batik its character.Maintaining batik
For all BATIK Textiles the following rules apply:

Hand wash, or best just soak the cloth
Use very little detergent, best to use lerak
Hang the batik directly, do not squeeze the cloth
Do not hang in direct sunlight
The iron should not directly touch the cloth, best to use a steam iron
Silk batik is best dry-cleaned
Do not spray perfume onto the cloth directly (Wikipedia)

A great Master Bedroom designed by Lisa Joy Young, this is her personal bedroom that she assembled by hunting out great buys and accessories and all on a budget, very creative and stunning. Lisa  got a ton of requests to do a house tour, so  she  decided to start with her master bedroom. Her Bedroom is using a four poster american style bed, with some great bedlinen. Thanks for watching!

A short video of just 2 minutes  exploring the interior designs of some good projects with artistic flair.

The style is a bit more modern but good use of cushions, rugs, and accessories

Look out for the colour decorations and home furnishing accessories that  combine style with creativity.

Hopefully these living room designs give you some inspiration for upgrading your home to achieve the ideal look and feel you desire

This short video gives some great visual ideas if you looking for a Classic Bedroom Furniture Design ideas but have a tight budget proving that it doesn’t have to be expensive. You can decorate with Traditional Beds and other decor and easily stay within a budget. Maybe also consider attending furniture auctions or using Ebay to find classic beds that just need a polish or repaint to give you a classic look

Practical tips and advice on  how to choose colors, textures and decorating styles for small to big projects in your home. Plus a section on heights, measurements & other interior decorating tips to save time and money. Shows you how to play with fabric colours, your furniture, flooring and things you need to consider  when wanting to redesign your home. How to focus when selecting home accessories to complement your wall finishes, choosing cushions, throws etc. This video covers American sized rooms.