PATTERN THEORY

Designer Guy Goodfellow and creative director Steven Rodel give their approach to decorating with pattern

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PATTERN provides sustenance. It gives charm and depth to a room and, when done correctly, it can feel very relaxing. Without pattern, a scheme can feel quite dry and monochromatic. But there is a danger: get it wrong and it can look massively over the top. Pattern plays a huge part in the English design aesthetic. It can appear to be very free and easygoing. But actually, there's quite a rigid way of getting there.

• For years minimalism was in fashion and people were scared of pattern, but that has changed. To avoid passing trends, it's best to stick to very classic patterns. Designs that have integrity, such as the Tree of Life, which is so beautiful, or Toile de Jouy, which has lasted since the 18th century and is as fabulous now as ever.

• Start with a mood board of everything you want to draw into a room. Then you can see what works together and whip away swatches until you're left with seven or eight core pieces in the room.