A champion of color and pattern

Tricia Guild is on a mission.

The British designer, known for using vibrant color, now is pushing a revival of pattern. Think brocades and botanicals, as well as ethnic prints from India and Central America.

Guild's work is the antithesis of the safe Laura Ashley style. She's sassy, creative, cutting-edge. The founder of Designers Guild in London in 1970, she is the author of 12 books and has an international reputation for her innovative fabrics, wall coverings, furniture, paint, carpets and rugs.

We chatted with Guild on a recent stop in Florida to promote her new book, Tricia Guild Pattern (Rizzoli, $40).

Question: Many of us are still afraid of using color. . . . Why do Europeans seem to take more chances with color and pattern?

Answer: I think, actually, British and American tastes are quite similar. In cities, there is a more contemporary feeling coming through. When I talk to people here, they are saying people want to be more contemporary and use more color. . . . Some people don't use color because they are afraid. They feel they must conform to good taste. There is a definite safety in neutrals; maybe it is people who don't want that outward expression, that risk of making a mistake. But it can also be a mistake if you never get really excited about the investment you make in your house.

Q: Is there anything for the more timid folks?

A: A lot of our collections have a neutral base, such as cut velvets with a neutral linen background. This approach makes people less nervous.

Q: What is your philosophy of color?

A: I find using color very invigorating. The use of vivacious bright color is something I am very at home with, but I also use a lot of white, neutral, chocolate and black.

Q: It looks like we are seeing the return of flocked wallpaper and fabrics. Why?

A: I think the word flocking can be off-putting because people think it may be garish, or have connotations of bordellos. But it is definitely the in thing. I am calling it velvet print. It is definitely part of a move toward glamour. I think people want to feel a warmth, even if it's contemporary. It gives a well-being factor that you sometimes don't feel in a stark, minimal atmosphere.

People want to express themselves. They're searching for more individual taste. I think they are looking to be more experimental, maybe because of traveling and communications.

Q: What is the purpose of your new book?

A: I wanted to focus people's attention on the multiple possibilities of pattern, to stimulate them. Not everyone wants the look in every page, but they might get an idea, looking at pages, about things they might want to be more informed about and use. It could help them define their own taste and give them confidence.

Q: What sources do you use for inspiration?

A: Ancient documents of textiles are very inspirational. It could be a kimono, sari, French damasks. My inspiration is very varied. I love classicism. I love using botanical images. No one single thing is a source of inspiration. The book is split into different sections explaining the roots for inspiration for that particular section.

Q: What is your best tip for using and combining pattern?

A: If you are interested in using pattern and haven't done it before, take a pattern you really enjoy looking at and look at the colors in it. Find a geometric, stripe or a check using the same colors, and add another smaller-scale pattern so you have a balance of different scale of patterns and geometrics.

Q: The good thing about buying designer fabrics is someone else does the matching for you. Doesn't that make it easy for the novice?

A: What I love about producing collections is thinking of it as a whole. It is very exciting mixing, working on fabrics that mix-and-match and coordinate. Use a plain fabric in one of the colors in the pattern so you are always linking something, and it is not chaotic.

Q: How should people use your book?

A: Look through the book and really try to listen to your feelings of which kinds of atmosphere you are interested in and could relate to. You can say that you really love that room, love that color combination, and feel comfortable with the colors and patterns.