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Design Edit: Embracing The Scalloped Wave

Design Edit: Embracing The Scalloped Wave

4th April 2024

Versatile and complementary, you really can’t go wrong when it comes to incorporating the scalloped wave into your home. A curvaceous edge, a meandering line; this playful design detail has been experiencing somewhat of a comeback. Having been around for centuries, with years’ worth of inspiration to draw from; beginning with late Renaissance fluted necklines and collars, to Art Deco architecture and scalloped edged furnishings, these flirty waves have continued to make waves across the years, into present day.

Bordering everything from curtains to cushions, rugs to lampshades, interior brands are re-imagining scallops in new and contemporary ways. Read on for our design edit of how to fully embrace the scalloped wave into your home...

Scalloped Home Furnishings

When it comes to embracing the scalloped wave, home furnishings offer the biggest variety of designs, shapes, and scales to choose from. Exuding a soft playfulness that complements almost any aesthetic, this fun finish can look right at home in both traditional settings as well as contemporary homes.

From statement rugs and items of furniture where the scalloped wave is the principal focus, to smaller items like cushions and throws that enjoy a simple wavy border, you can decide how bold or subtle you would like to go.

Skye Jute Rug from the Bombay Sprout x Laura Stephens Collection; photography by Boz Gagovski

Scallop Round Table by Chelsea Textiles, Rice Paper Scalloped Placemat by Nina Campbell

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Scalloped Lighting

From shapely shades to sculptured wall lights, lighting is a wonderful way to incorporate scalloped detailing into your home. Often doubling as a both a light and a work of art, there are so many wonderful designs to choose from now that designer brands are recognising that scallops are here to stay. Typically made from materials such as rattan, concreate, and glass; these statement pieces add textural interest into a room, whilst illuminating it beautifully.

If, however, your interior would benefit from a subtler approach when it comes to incorporating a scalloped wave, then one should never overlook the humble lampshade with a flirty edge. Turning a plain design into an eye-catching shade, the examples below demonstrate just how transformative a simple painted trim or a scalloped silhouette can be!

Rattan Daisy Hanging Ceiling Light by Soane Britain

Pimpernel Scalloped Straight Empire Lampshade

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Scalloped Print Fabric and Wallpaper Designs

When it comes to fully appreciating how wonderful a scalloped design can look in your home, a wavy fabric or wallpaper will achieve maximum impact. Provoking playfulness without compromising on elegance or style, as the scallop is set to stay, we are seeing more and more Designer Brands releasing their very own take on this beloved stripe.

Re-upholstering your favourite furniture, or teaming floor length curtains with a pair of matching cushions will inject colour, shape, and movement across your room. Alternatively adorn your walls with a statement wallpaper and mix in patterns and plains to establish some stability in the undulation.

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Adding Your Own Scalloped Edge

The beauty of the scalloped edge is in its versatility. From colourful braids and charming gimps, to arching hems that gently rise and fall, you can introduce this undulating wave in such a variety of different ways across your home. Depending on how bold or subtle you wish to be, delicate trimmings offer a simple yet effective way to uplift plain window dressings or soft furnishings. Small but highly influential, trims can add a pop of contrasting colour to a room, or can be chosen to blend into your existing interior scheme.

Alternatively, if you are looking for something more shapely, our bespoke roman blinds and pelmets can be custom-made from any of our designer fabrics and finished with a beautiful scalloped hem. With designs to suit all types of interior style, we can work with you to incorporate this playful detailing into your scheme.

Image credit to @oldhouseourhome

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Create Scallops Using Paint

A relatively instantaneous, inexpensive, and very effective way to add scallops to your home, paint is a wonderfully versatile medium to be creative with. Applied to walls, ceilings, door frames, furniture with a simple DIY stencil, painted scalloped edging will completely transform your interiors.

With an endless palette of shades to choose from, pick a colour that will complement the existing aesthetics of your room to avoid a complete design overhaul. Especially wonderful in children’s bedrooms, scalloped paintwork can accentuate the period features of a property and help to tie colour a scheme together. The ultimate fun finish for any age, its time to get your paint brush out!

Image credit to @farrowandball

Painted Scallops by @homemadehappinest

Choose Your Colour...

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Image Credits: Skye Jute Rug from the Bombay Sprout x Laura Stephens Collection; photography by Boz Gagovski, Scallop Round Table by Chelsea Textiles, Rice Paper Scalloped Placemat by Nina Campbell, Capilla Block Print Cushion and Cordoba Block Print Cushion by Birdie Fortescue, Shell Hurricane Wall Light, Rattan Daisy Hanging Ceiling Light and Scallop Hanging Ceiling Light by Soane Britain, Oval Room Blue Paint by Farrow & Ball, Painted Pink Scallops by @homemadehappinest