I was recently introduced to a new line of fabrics by Robert Allen, who entered a design partnership with Dwell Studio. Together, they have created a residential fabric collection that tweaks classic elements and twists them into modern, graphic patterns. Using bold colours and clean lines, each pattern tells a story in a sophisticated and interesting manner.

These skilled textile designers manage to use a bit of edge and imagination to take an unexpected subject, such as a snake, and twist it into a classic patter, such as the classic curvilinear used in the “snake chain” pattern. It is only upon close inspection that the viewer sees the snake used in repetition to create the links.

The Dwell Studio fabrics offer excellent options for upholstery, soft goods, window treatments and other applications. The colour palettes are versatile and each pattern has approximately four to six corresponding colours, allowing decorators to combine them for a striking a cohesive interior.

Using one of the more colourful and graphic patterns — such as “Vintage Blossom”, which features birds perched on a series of branches — on a large scale window panel can create a dramatic flair in any space. This application will truly showcase the pattern, allowing you to see the full design and really appreciate its repetition.

I recently used the fabric “Gate” in citrine for a client’s dining room chairs. Gate is a cotton-linen blend, and the citrine combines a bold yellow background with a bright white circular pattern outlined in black. We used this as the accent colour for the dining room, paired with natural woods and charcoal grey walls. The fabric created a stunning contrast against the dark walls, making the chairs the focal point for the space.

The chairs were made by Toronto’s Geovin Furniture, which offers custom options for their Canadian-made products – for example, they will paint chair frames any Benjamin Moore hue to complement the chosen fabrics. This really adds to the individuality and dramatic flair of the chair.

In the same house, we also had a custom 36” square ottoman made in a bold pattern called “Dotscape.” The ottoman sits in an adjacent room and is visible from the dining room. Although the two patterns are very different, they’ve been designed to work well together and, as a result, balance each other beautifully.

Tara Dalla-Nora has a B.A. in interior design and is the owner and principal designer of Inner Luxe in Toronto’s Bloor West Village. All Dwell fabrics can be purchased though Inner Luxe.

Autumn is a season of anchoring at home. As entertaining moves inside, interior designer Tara Dalla-Nora shares her favourite design gifts for your hosts – or yourself – for less than $100.

Guzzini Vintage Collection: An Italian manufacturer since 1912, Guzzini has perfected the combination of functional and aesthetic plastic dinnerware. Known for distributing only high-quality goods, the collection is both dishwasher and food safe. It comes in a variety of vibrant colours that can be pared down with white or chrome items from the same line. Salad bowl and servers retail for $44.99 and cruet sets start at $69.99.

MyDrap: The MyDrap line, which is made in Spain, includes cocktail napkins, table napkins and placemats. This product comes on a perforated roll and can be torn off as needed. Made of 100 per cent cotton, they are soft to the touch and will enhance the beauty of any table. They can be used for either casual or formal occasions and are available in over 20 colours. This is an excellent gift idea for people who love to entertain. This eco-friendly product can be washed and reused but is also biodegradable or can be recycled for other uses. Cotton napkins start at $34.00 for a roll of 25.

Loop Candlestick: This simple yet attractive candelabra, retailing for $34.99, is inspired by nature’s curves. These look great alone or looped together into a cluster. Every angle looks slightly different, making it an interesting piece for a mantel or dining table. The loop candlestick is available in three finishes: chrome, satin and gold.

Desk Tidy: This unique piece, which retails for $34.99, moves away from the typical commercial designs with its cheeky play on white and blue china. This design was originally inspired by the idea that we all use “mugs” to put our pens in. The intricate blue designs, which at first glance appear traditional, are actually images of items you would probably store in this piece such as scissors, pens, paper clips, USB keys, and so on. This is the perfect gift for a design-orientated person looking outside the box for a desk organizer.

Dry Rack: This functional and aesthetically pleasing plate rack is a completely collapsible piece that stores flat. It is both a great space saver and well-designed product. This Sculptural piece is influenced by architecture and makes a great visual statement on your counter top.

*All items can be found at Inner Luxe