Can World War One ship camouflage influence interior design? We found an interesting article by Megan Swoyer of Sherwin-Williams paints about this interesting concept. Imagine using art as a wartime defense. That's exactly what the strategists behind Razzle Dazzle Camouflage had in mind during WW1 when they suggested painting warships in a way that distracted and confused the enemy. Today, the influences from this defense tactic are showing up in unexpected places: On the walls of cafes, stairways and clients' homes as an element of interior design.
These bold, geometric patterns are now being used in commercial and residential projects as a design element on painted walls, wallpaper and fabrics. Of course, the last thing interior designers and color experts want to do is confuse homeowners with strange interior patterns, but there is certainly something to be said about the idea of injecting a dose of dazzling excitement and complexity into interior design.
How did this type of art go from warships to walls? Dazzle camouflage, also known as razzle dazzle was a ship camouflage technique used extensively in WW1 and to a lesser extent in World War II and subsequent wars. The designs featured complex patterns of geometric shapes in contrasting colors, interrupting and intersecting each other intending to mislead the enemy about a ship's course.
These patterns can also be used on a monochrome rather than a color basis, but it is suggested it be used in smaller spaces, like powder rooms or entryways as it could be overwhelming if used on a large scale.
I would have to carefully study this technique prior to recommending it to my clients, but thought from a design and historical perspective the concept is very interesting.
I would have to carefully study this technique prior to recommending it to my clients, but thought from a design and historical perspective the concept is very interesting.
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