Favorite Fabrics

Part of what I enjoy most about what I do is being able to see and feel the myriad of fabrics available today.  Visiting the various fabric showrooms is like being a kid in a candy store, and looking at a new fabric collection is like watching fireworks on the 4th of July, complete with oooh’s and aah’s.  Every time I see a new fabric (or old favorite reinterpreted) I like to imagine how I might use it in a client’s home- or even my own.  Here are some of my current favorite fabrics and how I imagine using them.

Mohair velvet

Mohair velvets- I talked about these in a previous post.  They have a fabulous lush feel and look, not to mention the fact that they’re incredibly durable, and the colors…..ooh so many and so rich! 

Interesting Ikat

Ikat is a pattern that’s produced in a method similar to tie-dying.  They’re one of the oldest forms of textile decoration, and while they come in many patterns, I happen to like the one shown above.  These look great in many applications; on pillows, chairs, ottomans.  They’re so interesting and add an exotic, ethnic element to a room.

Silly Monkeys!

Ethnic prints are always interesting, adding personality and fun to a room.  I used this print recently on pillows for a client’s living room.  Each face of the pillow featured a different monkey!  Depending upon your tolerance for color and pattern, these can be used on anything from pillows to sofas.

Embossed leather - cool, huh?

Leathers- I love the feel of a silky soft leather and also love the fabulous textured and hair-on leathers.  Each one adds its own interest and appeal.  And leather can be used in almost any design style from art deco through mid-century modern.

Cheetah print

Last on today’s list is animal prints.  I think they’re fun, and can be used on large or small items.  Again, you have to enjoy pattern and a touch of whimsy, but the good news is they can be in almost any color combination- not just those found in nature!

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing some of my favorite fabrics and also hope that you’ll weigh in on some of yours!  Happy Valentine’s day!

Versatile, Voluptuous, Velvet

I spent some time in the Donghia showroom in the Merchandise Mart lately and one of the things that I noticed was that most of the upholstery was done in velvet.  Ahh, velvet.  It’s one of the most luxurious fabrics and can be one of the most durable as well.  Surprised??

Black Velvet

Don't you just want to feel this?

Velvet is made differently than most fabrics.  Do you remember latch-hook rugs?  It’s sort of similar to that.  You actually have two pieces of fabric that face each other, and then the velvet fiber gets punched through the fabric.  The velvet nap is now between the two pieces of fabric, sort of like a sandwich filling.  Once the fabric is finished, a knife blade separates the top and bottom halves and you have the beautiful velvet nap! 

As I’ve said there are many types of velvets; cotton velvets, velveteens (short nap velvets), mohair velvets (my favorite), acrylic velvets, rayon velvets (shiny and silk-like) and silk velvets (oooh, very plush with a gorgeous sheen).  What makes velvets durable is the fact that they are tightly woven and the more dense the nap, the more durable the fabric.  The type of fiber used in the velvet also influences the durability.  One of the most durable velvets is Mohair.  It’s plush and dense, and is made from the hair of the Angora Goat.  I love it because it takes dyes beautifully, has a fabulous feel, and because of the natural oils in the hair, it’s naturally stain resistant.  There’s also nothing better for a really plush, regal look and feel.

Angora Goat- cute, huh?

Many people think velvet can only be done on a traditional style piece, but clearly the Donghia showroom proved that notion to be incorrect.  Most of the styles in the showroom would be considered transitional to contemporary.   People will also shy away from using velvet because they don’t like it’s characteristic of reflecting light differently depending upon which way the nap is running.  So if you look at your sofa, you’ll see darker and lighter colors, but that’s just because of the way the light is hitting the nap.  One way it looks light and the other way it looks dark.  If you love velvet, you understand and embrace its depth and sumptuousness. 

Contemporary frames done in velvet

I looked up velvet on Wikipedia and found that it was made in Kashmir around the beginning of the 14th Century, although mohair was known in England as early as the 8th Century and was associated with nobility.  Cool, huh?

What do you think?  Do you love it or hate it?  Why?