All About the Dots

Dots ... these whimsical bursts of circular color have enhanced fashion and decor since the Industrial Revolution when the sewing machine appeared and possessed the wonderful ability to create perfectly spaced dots on fabric. According to David Cusick, chief strategy officer, of House Method, a home services guide and review site, the first mention of "polka dots" was in women's lifestyle magazine Godey's Lady's Book in 1857.

It took a bit longer, the 1920s in fact, for the popularity of dots to cement into popular culture when they appeared on Miss America of 1926 Norma Smallwood's swimsuit and in 1928 when Minnie Mouse sported her famous red polka dot dress. 

Since then dots have migrated into all aspects of design from home decor to fashion to accessories. Some are huge, some small, but all are versatile - and can be mixed with stripes, florals, or geometrical shapes. "Dot patterns changed over the years in home decor based on their size, colors, and patterns," said Jill Sandy founder at Constant Delights, a blog about home and gardening. "Soft pastels, suitable neutrals, and versatile black and white remained in trends over the years."

What's trending now? According to Sandy, big is sometimes better. Also, "monochrome dots mixed with colorful patterns create a tremendous eclectic effect. Another modern scheme is the addition of neutrals with a pop of bright color as it's the smartest way to decorate your room for a satisfying and attractive look."

Sounds good to us. We really like these: 

A sea of dots from Seabrook's Bubblegum pattern add a dash of color and pop.

Clarke and Clarke's Bubble Mineral fabric is colorful, pretty and oh-so-much fun.

Featured image from Kravet: Lots of dots - from dogs to fabric (left to right: Polka Dot Plush in Quince; Polka Dot Plush in Mineral; and Polka Dot Satin in Pebble.