Florals. Where do I begin? For most of my adult life I have been of the conviction that flowers and anything remotely floral belongs in the garden and the garden only. Being an 80s child and somewhat of a tomboy, I often suffered the extreme discomfort of many a floral fashion blunder – theatrical bridesmaid dresses, cutesy Laura Ashley day dresses and flawless floral bedding selected by my well intentioned mother, just to name a few. Truth be told, I have often joked about “florals” being my personal F-word. Today this predictably pretty and ultra feminine motif has turned frisky and fierce – it’s all about less structure and a more organic, large scale and fluid look. Florals have taken on a new life and blossomed into a form that’s experimental – “flower power” in its true spirit. [caption id="attachment_29635" align="aligncenter" width="460"] photo by Ruven Afanador[/caption] [caption id="attachment_29636" align="aligncenter" width="460"] photo by Ruven Afanador[/caption] [caption id="attachment_29637" align="aligncenter" width="460"] photo by Ruven Afanador[/caption]  

Here are a few tips on how to harness the power of these lush petals in your home:

  choose big, bold blooms To maximize impact and achieve a look that’s soft yet edgy, go for large-scale pattern florals. When going with a very large pattern, simple works best. Complex patterns can overwhelm a space. Large-scale patterns read as contemporary and dramatic. [caption id="attachment_29638" align="aligncenter" width="460"] photo courtesy of houzz.com[/caption]   Over-scale floral patterns are paired with mid-century modern furniture for a very casually cool look that doesn’t take itself too seriously. [caption id="attachment_29639" align="aligncenter" width="460"] photo courtesy of www.orlakiely.com[/caption] Be very selective when choosing large-scale pattern repeats, take your time and choose a pattern you really love as these patterns will typically cost you more yardage to wallpaper and/or upholster in order to match the patterns. Murals are a great way to make a statement in the room and can be less expensive than a large pattern repeat wallpaper. This large-scale tropical scene by Pablo Piatti is lush and elegant. The concrete floors, suspended greenery and rustic furnishings create a look that’s accidental and anything but precious. [caption id="attachment_29640" align="aligncenter" width="460"] photo by Evan Joseph[/caption] Push the boundaries of the floral trend even farther by going the abstract route. Creative Matters released their interpretation of a floral with their “Bloom” series wallpaper. [caption id="attachment_29641" align="aligncenter" width="460"] photo courtesy of www.creativemattersinc.com[/caption] pick vibrant hues Bright, vibrant hues give florals a powerful punch, delivering a look that’s daring and decadent. Using large-scale vivid florals creates a modern art vibe that’s less likely to be perceived as uber feminine or scream “no boys allowed.” Josef Frank fabrics and wallpaper were originally produced over sixty years ago and remain highly desired for their oversized bright flora motifs. [caption id="attachment_29643" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Josef Frank fabric[/caption] Finnish design company Marimekko are renowned for their original prints and colours, florals being a classic in the collection. Jackie Kennedy wore a rotation of eight Marimekko dresses during the 1960 presidential campaign and today the iconic patterns remain sought-after in fashion and home décor. [caption id="attachment_29644" align="aligncenter" width="284"] photo source: www.jacquelinekennedy.net[/caption]

Marimekko’s Unikko (poppy) fabric celebrates its 50^th anniversary this summer. You can buy the fabric by the yard at EQ3 and use their in-store seamstresses to create a number of décor items including drapery, toss cushions and tablecloths.

[caption id="attachment_29645" align="aligncenter" width="460"] photo courtesy of EQ3[/caption] [caption id="attachment_29646" align="aligncenter" width="460"] photo courtesy of EQ3[/caption] create a visual bouquet Filling a room with florals is not as dreadful as it may sound. Mixing florals creates energy. Layering various patterns and textures in this motif creates a strong confident look that could even make a hippie feel uncomfortable. Keep the look cohesive by mixing one large pattern with two smaller patterns that share the same background colour. [caption id="attachment_29647" align="aligncenter" width="460"] photo courtesy of John Loecke in Lonny[/caption] flirt with florals in unexpected places A great way to have some fun with the floral trend in your home is to introduce the motif in unexpected places. Each riser of this staircase features a unique floral pattern. There’s no fussing over pattern matching, it’s quirky and fun and adds life to an area that’s often overlooked. [caption id="attachment_29648" align="aligncenter" width="460"] photo courtesy of www.sarahmoorehome.co.uk[/caption] An area rug in a large scale floral print can anchor a room and pull together various colours within a space. [caption id="attachment_29649" align="aligncenter" width="460"] photo courtesy of www.companyc.com[/caption]

Designers like Kate Spade are incorporating bold modern floral patterns on dinnerware. It’s a far cry from your grandma’s china.

[caption id="attachment_29650" align="aligncenter" width="460"] Florence Broadhurst for Kate Spade[/caption]