See what I did there? In fashion and in interiors, polka dots (and spots) are everywhere. They're graphic and bold and eye-catching and playful — just the thing to perk up a pillow (or a whole wall).
A little bit of polka dots will work even in a fairly staid interior, as in image 14. If you're planning on using a lot of spots or polka dots, keep the color palette in the room fairly simple to keep things from getting too overwhelming (as in the office in image 4, or the emerald and black and white stair hall shown above). Or go bold and pair polka dots with other prints for a pattern on pattern look.
FIRST ROW:
1. Polka dots as art, with a colorful table, as seen in Vogue.
2. Oversized foil dots in a nursery from Design*Sponge.
3. Gold polka-dots add a subtle graphic touch to the back of a bookcase, as seen in Lonny.
4. A dalmation-spotted wallpaper is glam with a gold accents in this office from Paloma 81.
5. Irrregularly spaced polka dots (actually tiny hexagons, if you look closely enough) are modern and playful, especially grouped with other graphic patterns. Bed linens and image by OYOY.
SECOND ROW:
6. Spotted pillows add a bit of graphic punch to this girly dressing room from Design Manifest.
7. Spots in a black and white mix from Lonny.
8. Polka dots add a playful touch to a rustic interior from Canadian House & Home.
9. White dots on a black background is a reverse of the expected. Planete Deco via The Bowerbirds.
10. Polka dots liven up a chair in this interior from Elle Decor France via CitySage.
THIRD ROW:
11. A mix of polka dots in various sizes and spacings with toile and gingham in this bedroom from Country Living.
12. & 13. I love the modern, spare look of these spaced-out polka dots. Images via Emmas Designblogg.
14. A polka-dotted lamp livens up a well-behaved room from Interiors Digital.
15. In this boisterous mix of patterns, the watercolor dot art at the head of the bed actually has a calming influence. Image from Lonny.
(Images: Top image: Joanna Henderson via Desire to Inspire. All others: as credited above)
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What a fun trend! We have a few pieces that would perfectly!
First, I have polka dot magnets all over my front door.
So jarring. Gives one vertigo. Not my cup of tea.
Way too much for me! Makes me a tad dizzy!
I want the sheep bench!!! Where can I find that?
The sheep!! Yes! Anyone know where we can find the sheep?
LOVE them all! So much much fun, reminding us not to take things too seriously :-)
A year or so ago the Uniglo in Soho had armies of sheep in glass displays, but no one in the store could tell me the source. Anyone on here a Uniglo employee and know where they got them? (Sorry for not commenting on the dots. My feeling is generally "meh".)
Hi everyone,
The sheep in the picture are Lalanne sheep, created by a couple of French surrealist sculptors. While the real Lalanne sheep are quite pricey, you can try searching for something similar at 1stDibs, or find a slightly more affordable option here.
A week ago I put up a polka dot accent wall--cream dots on chocolate brown background--and I'm super in love w/ it!! I wish I could share a pic.
I'm inspired by all the photos. Apt Therapy, please stop making me want to spend more money I don't have! I have restrain myself.
Good grief! Over a thousand dollars for large sheep on the web site! Could get a real goat and teach it to stand still cheaper!!!!!
The sheep question was answered, believe it or not, in 2009 on this site. I love Google.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/good-questions-1438-90287
MissFifi o my
I love that blue and red polka dot chair.
Yes! i recently did this in my living room with sticky paper and i looooooove it - http://www.radicalpossibility.com/2012/11/circle-circle-dot-dot.html
I've been meaning to paint an ugly dining chair that was left in our house when we moved in a few years ago. I'm thinking polka dots would be a fun way to bring a bit more color in.
It's odd, I like polka dots on clothing and also appreciate a Swiss dot duvet cover I saw on West Elm, but none of those pictured above appeal to me. They strike me as rather circus-y (and hence remind me of clowns, which I'm afraid of still). I'm not saying this is rational of course, but aversions tend not to be.
The black and white is such a great statement against the bold emerald green...also a huge trend!
http://hammer-and-heels.com/2012/12/11/trend-watch-emerald-green/
-Anne
Like them in VERY small doses.
In the summer when I get festive with pedicures, I'll sometimes do one toe with polka dots.
I like the look of polka dots, but I think it may eventually lead to a headache if I had to look at them all the time.
years ago, i reupholstered my sofa in a heavy black cotton with huge white polka dots. i miss that sofa! but i think i still have a remnant of the fabric and i have a black and white striped chair that needs a lumbar cushion... :-)
seriously?!?!?! ok see y'all in '14
Ow my eyes! The last image is just painful, so many takcy patterns. K.I.S.S (*keep it simple silly)
I usually jump on board with most trends - because they are fresh, and I like changing it up. But I am not hip to polka dots - thought I would be. I think this trend will pass quickly.
I like polka dots but on a small scale like a pillow not a whole wall. The first picture with the green stairs... oh my, mind boggling!
I will have to pass on this new trend. It would make me crazy.
I like this small bathroom http://kalynor.wordpress.com/2012/12/03/monday-inspiration-36/attachment/24473207935/
hi AT i don't know about this one, marc jacobs abandoned the polka dots of last spring's show for stripes for this year's spring show and the damien hirst polka dot series of paintings is sitting unsold at gagosian the art world panned them at at basel/miami this winter, i think this trend is last year, although maybe home design takes longer to catch on than fashion, you thoughts?
We love it! So fresh and dynamic! Thank you!
I agree, this did become popular a year ago. For me, I remember rethinking polka dots in December of 2011 when I read that wonderful scene in Amor Towles' Rules of Civility, in which Katey decides to get a polka dot dress. I thought, how right this is, and suddenly started seeing polka dots everywhere.
Polka dots are all over my wardrobe and I'm surprised they're not incorporated into my home yet. Only a matter of time.
Oh ...that foyer. The green and polka dots.
There's an original, enduring, classic look that won't date itself.
A post about trends and sheep, too funny! I never sheepishly follow trends — oh, excepting those ridiculous bell bottoms back in the ’70s. That was a lesson learned and never repeated. I'll definitely be passing on polka dotted walls.
I appreciate polka dots in small doses- found some black and white polka dot Kate Spade sheets at Marshalls. I think thats about my level of commitment.
No. Ok, small amounts. Let those who dictate trends have their way til Spring and then let's dump this insipid trend. Only thing that caught my eye was the floor in #5; reminds me of '50s tile pattern and seems new again. Otherwise, dots not for me.
Love! So fun and cheery! Thanks for sharing!
-Leopard-spotted prints and random-sized/random-located dots are not polka-dots. The regularity of size & pattern is part of the charm of polka-dots.
-In small quantities the pattern can be cheerful...but it is a bit too lively to be restful.
-Be careful when mixing patterns! For me at least, #1 is a big ol' migraine waiting to happen.