Can Pattern Add Meaning To A Room?

Can a pattern add meaning? We think so! As a trained artist, Kristen aims to bring the same level of thoughtfulness and meaning to her design work as she does to her art. In the Design Pool library, there are many collections she’s designed that infuse meaning into a beautiful pattern. For interior designers who focus on designing space with intention, knowing the meaning behind a design can add to its appeal.

Let’s look at a few of our collections with meaningful messages.  

The Cryptology Collection

The Cryptology Collection debuted at NeoCon 2021 and won a HiP Award that year. It was inspired by the women codebreakers of the early 20th century. Each pattern in this collection is built around a coded message. What are the messages? They mostly pay homage to the women the collection celebrates. Hidden in the code are their names and messages important to their work, such as Elizebeth Smith Friedman’s motto: Knowledge is Power.

One group within the collection was designed specifically for healthcare interiors. Patterns in the R&R group are infused with messages of healing such as Focus on the Positive, Good Vibes and Better Times, and the irreverent, F*ck Cancer.

Swallowtail Farm

In the Swallowtail Farm collection, Kristen worked with herbalist Lauren Pignatello to design patterns inspired by healing herbs and flowers. Each pattern features a different plant known for its medicinal properties, such as Queen Anne’s Lace, Elderberry, and Yarrow. These patterns read like modern flowers, but they contain a special layer of healing messages. 

Technology X Tradition

In this collection, Kristen took inspiration from Embroidering Her Truth, a book about Mary Queen of Scots by Claire Hunter. In this book, Hunter explores the Queen’s relationship to embroidery and how she used it as a tool to communicate. This prompted Kristen to think about the many ways textiles have been used throughout history to communicate, especially for women. Textiles have also always been at the forefront of technology (the jacquard loom was the first computer after all). In designing this collection, Kristen considered technological advances we’re experiencing now, such as AI.

What is fun about any of these patterns is that the message can matter or not!

A pattern can be used simply because it’s a pretty floral or to add a surprising element to a room, or add meaning. To view these collections and all of our patterns, visit the Design Pool library. Need help picking the perfect pattern? Contact us and we’ll point you in the right direction.