Any woven, knitted or printed pattern with reference to maritime activities of sailing, rowing, yachting is described as nautical. So too are any of the filets and edgings in wood, metal or textile that resemble ropes or chain link. Nautical accessories include buttons, buckles and other fittings from chandlers or those in the form of or drawn as anchors, ships, sailor hats etc.
* Nautically inspired furnishing schemes very often include fabrics and accessories in sailing and yachting ‘uniform’ colours – combinations of blue and white stripes,say, as reminders of seaside locations – water, sky and air. It’s not difficult to pull a scheme together that contains a seafaring message – whether that shows little more than the underlying inspiration, or a clearer and more obvious link.
* Fabrics depicting sailing boats, sails, knots, ropes and lines, chains and anchors etc. are fun to use if you live by the sea or close to water, and if you don’t but wish you did it’s also okay to have some elements, just not to go all – out.
* Woven fabrics often include subtle and historic reference to nautical forms: chain links, ropes, and cables appear throughout the weaving language of seafaring nations, and the colours and mixes of yarns and stripes often evoke and reminisce of the sea.
* Knitted items or patterns that can be used in furnishings life include those for Guernsey sweaters with their primary function and nautical references in the distinctive shoulder patterning, and Aran sweaters with their cable knitted forms.
* Tweeds and wools, by and large take their colourings from nature and they too show clear distinction between the brown-green woody tones, the pinky greens of the moorland and the blues and greys and blue-greens of the sea.