Past & Present: Ikat Patterns Reimagined for Modern Interiors
Ikat is an ancient type of fabric, but its blurry pattern appeals to designers and so it's seen on textiles to tiles
On the hunt for authentic ikat textiles, I was once driven deep into the jungles of Bali to a small settlement that was little more than a collection of straw bures and tin sheds, one of which included a ramshackle weaver’s shop. I paid an extortionate price for a few ikat lengths that were definitely woven on site, but the antique fabrics I had hoped to find there were sadly in short supply and in bad condition. Still, the three (new) pieces I did buy are lovingly used at home: As a runner on a rustic console, as a tablecloth for a large black dining table and as a cover for one of my children’s beds. In fact, I think ikat works in a modern decorating scheme as much as it looks at home in a bure with a thatched roof. Read on to find out more about this versatile textile and new ways designers are reinterpreting the pattern.
How is Ikat made?
The dyeing technique used involves yarn dyeing the warp and weft of fabrics prior to weaving, and this ultimately produces the characteristic ‘blurriness’ of the pattern. This blurriness is a result of the difficulty the weaver has lining up the dyed yarns.
The great thing about ikat is that it works for both eclectic and minimalist decor styles. In fact, ikat has become such a favourite with interior designers that the blurry-edged pattern is being replicated on all manner of surfaces, from textiles to tiles and from wallpaper to rugs.
The dyeing technique used involves yarn dyeing the warp and weft of fabrics prior to weaving, and this ultimately produces the characteristic ‘blurriness’ of the pattern. This blurriness is a result of the difficulty the weaver has lining up the dyed yarns.
The great thing about ikat is that it works for both eclectic and minimalist decor styles. In fact, ikat has become such a favourite with interior designers that the blurry-edged pattern is being replicated on all manner of surfaces, from textiles to tiles and from wallpaper to rugs.
Where is the pattern used?
On rugs
In theory the technique of dyeing yarns first before weaving is possible in some rug-making, but for a contemporary rug the design is really the focus and it is usually just replicated – like most other designs – via a digital plan. Contemporary rugs that are machine made have a textured pile that is made up of selected coloured yarns that are looped into a backing cloth in a design dictated by the digital blueprint.
On rugs
In theory the technique of dyeing yarns first before weaving is possible in some rug-making, but for a contemporary rug the design is really the focus and it is usually just replicated – like most other designs – via a digital plan. Contemporary rugs that are machine made have a textured pile that is made up of selected coloured yarns that are looped into a backing cloth in a design dictated by the digital blueprint.
On chair covers
As a textile, the ikat pattern looks best in a contemporary interior where there is little else competing for attention. In a relatively modern-looking home, the rustic weave and clear colours of an ikat design never fail to look impressive. It is especially stylish in on-trend indigos made up into slip covers for breakfast bar chairs in an all-white kitchen, as seen above, but looks equally welcoming on an armchair that’s upholstered in a Myanmar Ikat from Boyac.
As a textile, the ikat pattern looks best in a contemporary interior where there is little else competing for attention. In a relatively modern-looking home, the rustic weave and clear colours of an ikat design never fail to look impressive. It is especially stylish in on-trend indigos made up into slip covers for breakfast bar chairs in an all-white kitchen, as seen above, but looks equally welcoming on an armchair that’s upholstered in a Myanmar Ikat from Boyac.
As wallpaper
As possibly one of the oldest forms of textile decoration, ikat’s blurry pattern can be reproduced to feature on many kinds of surfaces, including wallpapers. Here, the pattern is presented in an overly large brown stripe magnifying the uneven ‘threads’. The texture complements those in the bedhead and quilt.
Go bold with graphic wallpaper
As possibly one of the oldest forms of textile decoration, ikat’s blurry pattern can be reproduced to feature on many kinds of surfaces, including wallpapers. Here, the pattern is presented in an overly large brown stripe magnifying the uneven ‘threads’. The texture complements those in the bedhead and quilt.
Go bold with graphic wallpaper
In tile design
Reproducing a common ikat design to decorate the surfaces of contemporary bathroom tiles is made even more impressive when it’s rendered in black and white. The geometric design on contrasting tiles in this Melbourne powder room looks ultra modern when teamed with simple timber tones and brass fittings.
Reproducing a common ikat design to decorate the surfaces of contemporary bathroom tiles is made even more impressive when it’s rendered in black and white. The geometric design on contrasting tiles in this Melbourne powder room looks ultra modern when teamed with simple timber tones and brass fittings.
The versatility of ikat is that it can be translated into various styles to suit contemporary looks from the smart to the refined. The material used on this powder room wall is a glass tile mosaic called ‘Loom’, which is part of the Ikat Collection from New Ravenna.
As a bedspread
Warm up a minimalist bedroom with an ikat-inspired bedspread or quilt. Fortunately you don’t need to go to India or Uzbekistan to get one – this indigo doona cover was purchased from a national chain store.
Browse more minimalist bedrooms
Warm up a minimalist bedroom with an ikat-inspired bedspread or quilt. Fortunately you don’t need to go to India or Uzbekistan to get one – this indigo doona cover was purchased from a national chain store.
Browse more minimalist bedrooms
On cushions
An outdoor chill-out zone will benefit from the many fascinating patterns that are available in the hundreds of ikat-inspired designs on cushions. Choose a mix-and-match variety of coloured cushions, bolsters and pillows and pile them up on an outdoor chair or hammock.
An outdoor chill-out zone will benefit from the many fascinating patterns that are available in the hundreds of ikat-inspired designs on cushions. Choose a mix-and-match variety of coloured cushions, bolsters and pillows and pile them up on an outdoor chair or hammock.
As a tablecloth
Even in the most formal of rooms, the rustic design of an ikat will bring some faraway design credibility to what could be a rather staid scheme. Add some ikat cover cushions to the chairs for extra visual interest.
Even in the most formal of rooms, the rustic design of an ikat will bring some faraway design credibility to what could be a rather staid scheme. Add some ikat cover cushions to the chairs for extra visual interest.
As a blind or curtain
The more simply a room is furnished, the better an ikat fabric feature will work. One way to bring a decorative sense of warmth and even a touch of the exotic to a room is to use ikat fabrics as window coverings. Plus, the sunlight can shine through the lighter sections of the design to create a lovely glowing pattern in the room, although this won’t happen if the blinds and/or curtains are double hung or rubber-backed.
The more simply a room is furnished, the better an ikat fabric feature will work. One way to bring a decorative sense of warmth and even a touch of the exotic to a room is to use ikat fabrics as window coverings. Plus, the sunlight can shine through the lighter sections of the design to create a lovely glowing pattern in the room, although this won’t happen if the blinds and/or curtains are double hung or rubber-backed.
Read more:
How to Infuse Traditional Indian Elements Into Your Modern Home
Soft Furnishing Maintenance 101
Tell us:
Have you used ikat-inspired textiles or patterns in your home? Show us in Comments below.
How to Infuse Traditional Indian Elements Into Your Modern Home
Soft Furnishing Maintenance 101
Tell us:
Have you used ikat-inspired textiles or patterns in your home? Show us in Comments below.
Ikat is a weaving style common to many world cultures and is probably one of the oldest. From India to Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Japan, Africa and Latin America, these textiles have been woven in places that have developed the craft as a cottage industry, with distinct patterns, colours and designs that become particular to the region in which they are made.