All posts in Fabric

Designing with Fabrics

A key part of any décor is the soft furnishings – window treatments (draperies, window seat cushions), upholstery fabrics for furniture (chairs, sofas, love seats, stools, ottomans and more), bedding and bathroom (shower curtains), and accessories like trims and throw pillows.

Candice Olson Collection from KravetMixing and matching fabric colors, textures and patterns is an art. Like fashion trends that come and go, home décor fabrics reflect the evolving taste of the consumer. Animal prints, tone-on-tone and geometric patterns like ikat are popular now. Another trend we’re watching are well-known interior designers, like HGTV star Candice Olson, creating fabrics for companies like Kravet.  Although we love using some of these fun and beautiful materials, we recommend mixing the trendier fabrics with staples such as solid colors with textures, stripes and florals. This will keep your rooms updated and within budget, forgoing frequent makeovers as styles come and go. Read more…

Creating Color Palettes for Home Decor with Chip-It™

Interiors by Monique Sunset photoWe just discovered this great new app from Sherwin Williams called Chip-It™. You can have fun uploading photos onto their site and they will extract the shades of colors and create a palette.

There is an entire science devoted to choosing colors but basically we are attracted to certain colors and often want to use those hues in our homes.  As a professional who guides clients on choosing colors, I often base the palette on an existing structure like a fireplace surround or a beloved Oriental rug. However, using a photograph, piece of artwork or a fabric swatch for inspiration works well, too. And now Chip-It can make our work easier and even more exciting.

Read more…

Tribal Patterns Are Big this Spring

Ikat fabric by KravetTribal patterns are all the rage this spring on indoor and outdoor fabrics. This Kravet Ikat is one of the more popular graphics, from the Beacon Hill showroom at the Boston Design Center. This fabric would work beautifully on deck or porch furniture. Ikat is an Indonesian word that translates as “knot” or “to tie” and refers to the dye pattern on fabric.

With spring just around the corner, now is the time to begin thinking of furnishing porches, decks and patios. One of our favorite outdoor furniture companies, McGuire, is having a sale. Known for their distinctive styles, they use long-lasting, sustainable bamboo in their products.I used McGuire dining chairs, upholstered chairs and a round glass-top table on a McGuire base for this three-season porch. Another sought after choice for outdoor fabrics are florals, bringing the elements of nature into the space. You could definitely  mix this season’s flame-stitch look with a floral, plaid or a solid, textured fabric.