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Repeating Patterns: Greek Key
See How to Use This Classic Look on Floors, Borders, Furniture and More
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
The Greek Key pattern has been around since the time of the ancient Greeks, but has been exploding in popularity over the past few years. It emerged during the Geometric Period in Greek art and was commonly used as a design detail on buildings and urns. As I Wiki-ed around, I found that the Geometric Period goes back as far as 900 B.C. That's almost 3,000 years of popularity – clearly Greek Key is no passing trend. Here it is today:
| This oversized Greek Key pattern makes a rug wonderfully modern when blown up to a large scale and repeated. |
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| This Greek Key rug gives the room a strong base and provides most of its pattern - the designer was very picky about which patterns she layered on top of it, in the form of just a few select throw pillows. |
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| Here a Greek Key tile detail gives the round tub an interesting edge. |
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by decordemon
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| This roofdeck has a Greek Key "rug" painted on it, defining the dining area and adding the interest via the intricate pattern. |
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by Cristi Holcombe
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| Originally a border used on classic architectural friezes and pottery, today Greek Key makes for a great border on throw pillows. |
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| Greek Key also makes a striking border on drapes. Also, look closely on the yellow chair on the right and you'll see a sneaky way to wow with this detail. |
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by GlobalWeave
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| Here's a more classic use of Greek Key, as an oversized border on bedding. I looked at this picture three times before I noticed that this designer cleverly used the pattern on the nightstand as well! |
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| You are probably saying "I don't see any Greek Key pattern here!" Look very closely at the chairs in the foreground; this print can be subtle when you use muted tones with colors that don't have a strong contrast. |
This wallpaper is another great example of a more muted Greek Key pattern.
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| This Greek Key bedding plays off the border around the room. It's a very crisp detail here. |
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Here is a better look at a similar Greek key bedding border.
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Here the pattern is part of an intricate hardwood floor inlay, and it creates a border.
This isn't quite Greek Key, it's a bit of Greek Key gone wild.
by UncommonGoods
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Have you been wondering where you first saw this pattern? Perhaps it was on a classic New York deli take out coffee cup like this one.
Comments
Lily Gahagan I love the green pillows in that slightly rustic living room. The greek key is a nice classic touch to a fairly casual setting.
2 years ago · Like
Rebekah Zaveloff Love! Thanks for putting all these in one place. Love black, white and green, or yellow, or any accent color!
2 years ago · Like
smittycdm Samuel & Sons makes some great Greek Key trim.
20 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Dec. 15, 2010.
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