Cane Pattern Decorating Tips

Attracting and maintaining visual interest without crossing over into bad taste can be a challenge when decorating, and it's especially difficult when incorporating a bold pattern like cane. Here are some tips for striking the right balance:

1. Set limits. Give careful consideration to proportion and balance by limiting the use of cane to only a few areas in the home, such as on an area rug and some pillows. Let it be the accent piece.

2. Start small and work your way up. A simple cane chair or lamp can sometimes be enough. If it's pattern you crave, a few throw pillows on your sofa can make all the difference. If you'd like the cane motif to serve as a focal point, diamond-patterned cane drapes look especially sharp when combined with matching throw pillows and a sisal rug with a cotton border in the same pattern.

3. Go bold. If you're going for bold, sophisticated Hollywood Regency or elegant Asian-themed decor, consider textured solids (yellow, black, white, red) and geometric prints that complement your cane pieces. A single piece of cane furniture-a red-lacquered cane bench, for instance-can make a beautiful statement in your entryway. You can add wallpaper in an oversize cane pattern to a single wall for an instant transformation; try it behind a dining-room table and watch the room come to life. All are excellent additions for creating a home bursting with class and high style.

4. Or go bright. If you like your decor to be a bit more whimsical, go for the preppy Palm Beach style. Cane has its origins in British Colonial and Caribbean design, as the material grows in warmer climates and takes humidity well. Hunt for sunny yellow or white cane furniture and layer in punchy colors, florals and bold geometrics such as chevrons to complement the cane pattern.