Decorating Guides
Modern Icons: The Fantastic Geometry of David Hicks
Designer's daring prints live on in wall coverings and fabrics
David Hicks was a legendary U.K. designer who designed everything from the wallpaper in Richard Nixon's bowling alley to the Prince of Wales' apartment in Windsor Castle (his daughter India was a bridesmaid in Charles and Diana's wedding). When leafing through his designs, many of them look familiar. This is because he was a major influence on so many of today's most well-known designers. Back in the day, the juxtapositions he created between bold geometric patterns and traditional classic pieces was rule-breaking and daring. Due to his legacy, it's now the norm. Here's a look at some of his most favorite patterns that are still wildly popular.
Perhaps you've seen this hexagonal patterned wallpaper around. The first time I saw it was in a Jonathan Adler-designed powder room (which bore a striking resemblance to an original Hicks bathroom). It packs a graphic punch and makes a great first impression in an entryway. This entry has a distinctive eclectic style, with its Moroccan gold-leafed light fixture and Nelson Bench.
Here the same wallcovering works with more traditional furniture in a very different entryway.
The pattern has a strong presence in a narrow powder room. The scale and repeat work well in a range of room sizes.
The pattern appears calmer in this serene nursery, paired with plain blue paint, branch decals and a zebra print rug. As this baby grows up, the room will take on a more mature look due to the geometric wallpaper.
Hicks popularized a boomerang pattern like the one seen on this wallpaper.
La Fiorentina Fabric
One of Hicks' most popular prints, La Fiorentina, has had a recent resurgence that shows no signs of waning. Its energetic geometry and scale works well in a range of styles and colors.
Here it is in tan and white on a large dining settee. The combination of this print with the more traditional and Asian-style pieces in the room is downright Hicksian.
Here the pattern fits in well with a relaxed tropical style.
La Fiorentina adds high drama to these long drapes.
It also brings pattern into this neutral dining room via the dining chair seat upholstery.
18" David Hicks Pillow in Wine/Magenta
La Fiorentina becomes electric in this bold colorway. If you do a search of "David Hicks" on Etsy, you'll find a slew of handmade pillows in this fabric, made by Lee Jofa.
David Hicks: Designer by Ashley Hicks
This book, written by David's son Ashley Hicks, is a wonderful summary of Hicks' life and work from someone who knows him very well.
More:
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More:
Modern Icons: Marimekko Textiles
Street Smart: New Ways With the Zigzag
Designing With Nature's Perfect Shape