Be Bold

Carol O’Callaghan says old favourites are being reinvented on fabrics with vivid colour palettes

For an afternoon tea party, perhaps with a glass of bubbly? Floral finished wares and glasses (Geisha teacup and saucer €13, glasses €8, Geisha floral embroidered table runner €40 at M&S)

Sketches of flora and fauna depicted with a touch of wit turn conventional objects like cushions and mugs into conversation pieces (cushions: dog walking €31, dog and bike €39, bird on purple tree €39, birds on branch €25, cats and teapots mugs €25 for two by Ashley Thomas www.ashleythomas.web.com)

Patchwork look tablecloth (approx. €70 at The Drapery Shop, Cork and www.bluedoordirect.ie)

The Zayla range of bed linens by Zandra Rhodes (from €39 for single duvet set at Hickeys Home Focus)

THIS season forget cosy, twee patterns that squeak of timidity and, instead, try some of the new edgy styles and reinventions of old favourites on fabrics as an antidote to plain, stark interiors. From vivid colour palettes to a cooler sophistication there’s something to suit everyone.

Check out bold, graphic images applied to cushions and bed linens, and attention grabbing naive-style sketches of town- and city-scapes that seem to tell a story, providing a layer of interest in the product beyond those of pure function and colour matching. This new approach is a novel development first seen at London Design Week three years ago in the cushion designs of fabric designers like Charlene Mullen, whose signature work of black sketchy line drawings depicting urban landscapes was a completely new departure in fabric patterning. Finally, these have trickled down onto the high street, even going a step further to keep it bang on-trend by the introduction of colour to shade and highlight the sketches and soften this otherwise edgy style.

Blowsy florals made a huge statement in interiors in 2011 and while they’re perennially popular this season we’re seeing refined versions made a little more interesting by the application of the line drawing approach here too, almost to the point where the pattern and splash of colour appear to form an abstract drawing until more detailed inspection reveals the petal shape, adding extra texture and interest.

More tame, but equally on-trend, is the genteel teacup whose elegant aesthetic is edging the mug into the back of the cupboard and makes a welcome return to softness chaperoned by the traditional accompaniment of tea-pot and loose leaves. Watch out for tidy patterns set against white backgrounds, telling of modern flower gardens, and trellises holding in place summer garden bounty.

Farmyard animals, especially chickens, are bedecking wares and linens of late, so if you have neither the space nor the inclination to keep a few cluckers in the back garden take the easy way out and introduce the look to your interiors with mugs, tea cosies and tea towels. It’s a light-hearted look and if you’ve had enough of it after a few months replacing these affordable items will only cost chicken feed.

Check patterning is another revival that seems set to stay since fashion house Burberry re-launched their take on the design onto the catwalks of Europe about 15 years ago.

This season things are shifting again and it’s the turn of box check . Teaming up with the trend for faux homemade and patchwork style products, this combination might seem a tad too rustic for slicker sophisticated tastes, but simple fabrics and complementary colours keep the look under control. Try out a table cloth in this style accessorised with gleaming white napkins, and should you have some lovely clean white table wares the two could make a gorgeous partnership.