Texture vs. Pattern

I’ve been seeing a lot of Shagreen covered tables, lamps, boxes and mirrors around town and now I wonder what’s next. At first, I fell in love with the idea of a new texture as all my projects mix interesting textures and materials without a lot of pattern. But now I test myself to think about adding pattern and dialing back on the texture. I’m rambling because I spent today selecting a coffee table that is going to set the look for a large project I’m working on. Design is in the details!

A sample of Shagreen. Originally, people applied the skin of a sting-ray to give furniture a shagreen finish. Today, we see more embossed leather and vinyl fabricated to look like sting-ray skin.

This coffee table above has Asian-style legs with sweeping curves and is topped off with a Shagreen finish. While I was first thinking this piece for a project, I’m now thinking of how a pattern would play in the room.

While this table’s shape is nothing more than a large rectangular cube, the graphic pattern created by the contrasting wood tones strikes a nice chord with me.

I think I’ll go with the pattern coffee table

KBTV

Next week will be the last episode of the Hammer residence on KBTV. http://kennethbrowndesign.com/index.php/kbd_main/video_blog/

It’s perfect timing as Western Interiors Magazine is featuring this project in their Jan/Dec issue (which will be on newstands early next week). For those who have been watching the KBTV episodes you’ve been given a sneak peek at this wonderful home in the Hills of Los Angeles. This project is one of my favorite projects because I loved working with Dennis and Shawn and because they allowed me to try my hand at doing a ‘resort-style’ design.

The main living room of the Hammer Residence. By layering many textures and adding beams to the ceiling, we were able to create a space that is both relaxing and elegant at the same time.

Beginning on Monday November 24th, KBTV will begin to air episodes of a very modern home I recently finished in Manhattan Beach, CA. I enjoy giving these tours of the projects I’ve completed and although the quality of the video isn’t the best, I hope you’re able to take away tips you can use in your own home

The living area of the Sturz Home. The design style is a 180 degree about face from the Hammer residence above. That is what I love about my job - design variety!