"How To" Series: Selecting Fabrics

I've decided to start a new series for the summer.  It's a "How To" on different questions I continue to get from clients.  This should be a fun summer distraction!

First up . . .

 Tips for Selecting Fabrics

When working with clients, I usually save accent fabrics for one of our last steps.  Many times this can be challenging, since I usually select neutral fabrics for most upholstered pieces and window treatments.  Clients can get nervous thinking their room is becoming blah or boring.  If they are patient and trusting, they will see how it all comes together in the finished room.  Here are my tips for reaching the finish line with accent fabrics in a space.  

Step One

Know the colors you like and what will work in your home.  If you skip this step, it is easy to get overwhelmed at the fabric store.  So, have a game plan.  One of the easiest ways to do this is to walk around your home.

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 Focus on the colors that will be staying in the room (usually items that are expensive to change like oriental rugs or large upholstered pieces) and decide which of these colors you want to highlight.

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If you are working with a blank slate, consider artwork of other accessories in the room and select colors from these items.

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Step Two

Once at the fabric store, walk around and select an inspiration fabric (keeping in mind your color palette).  You get more flexibility when the inspiration fabric has more than two colors in it (but this is certainly not necessary).

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Step Three
Analyze the colors in your inspiration fabric.

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Step Four
 Select several secondary fabrics that include similar tones of color, and try to select all different types of patterns including florals, geometrics, stripes, and fretwork.  Also, it is a good idea to select both large and small scale prints (i.e. 1. is a large scale pattern and 7. is a small scale pattern).

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9)

Do NOT select secondary fabrics that are exactly the same color as the feature fabric else your room will feel 1980's matchie matchie.  Also, notice some of the secondary fabrics include additional colors not in the inspiration fabric.  This is perfectly ok.  It adds depth to the room and also helps to avoid the matchie matchie syndrome. 

Step Five
Take the fabric samples home with you!

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You will never get it right if you don't try the fabrics in your space.  You will be amazed how the samples change once you get them home.  The lighting, wall color, and other fabrics in the space will change your samples dramatically.   This is another great reason to pick more than you need (sort of like taking several items into the dressing room with you to try).

Step Six
Lastly, determine what you would like to use each fabric for in the space - pillows, window treatments, upholstery.  Obviously, you want to think about what will look best, but also keep in mind the price per yard of your selections.  It may be that the most expensive fabric works best as a pillow rather than window treatments, depending on your budget.  Here are two schemes from the fabrics I pulled above.

Those are the basics!  I hope this helps you.  M.  

Be Still My Heart

I would love for the headboard in my master bedroom to meet a pair of these.

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This divine yumminess is part of Bernhardt Interiors new collection.

Talk about some eye candy. 

You Look Just Like Someone I Know

 I found these great look-a-likes while sourcing furnishings for a design plan and thought I would share them with you.  

Formal Dining

These classic French chairs will never EVER go out of style.

The original in all it's yumminess. . . 

Danielle Chair

($350.00 each)

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Now for the look-a-likes . . .

Vintage French Square

($199.00 on sale right now at RH)

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Preston Carved Oak Side Chairs

$194.00 (with $2.95 shipping on entire order!)

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Inspiration . . . as if you need any for these beauties!

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Informal Dining

Wicker chairs add so much great texture to a casual dining area both inside and out.

The original - love the gray tones of the wicker.

Laila Arm Chair

($425.00 each)

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The look-a-like . . . 

KooBoo Wicker Chair

($149.99)

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Some inspiration . . . 

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No one will ever know the difference! 

Happy Monday. M.

Whew . . . Plus Some Random Goodness

I've been volunteering at our church kitchen for VBS this week feeding over 100 people each day.  It has been exhausting and exhilarating all at the same time.  I've also met with a couple of new design clients in the afternoons, and I can't wait to share these projects with you over the next few months.

All in all, it's been crazy busy; and to be honest, I feel a bit like this . . .


But, as you know, this is nothing a weekend can't remedy.  So, I thought I would kick off our Friday with my top 10 favorite finds of the week.

(1.) (2.) (3.) (4.) (5.) (6.) (7.) (8.) (9.) (10.)

Enjoy your weekend. M.

What Would I Do . . .

if someone gave me this simple gray gimp?

It's only $2.55 a yard, so it's extremely affordable and you could use it in so many ways.  

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Here are some ideas.
It really can turn an ordinary item, into something special.

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Add it to the bottom of a club chair

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Dress up some window treatments

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Or add some much needed contrast to a bed coverlet.

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Have a productive day!  M.

If You Build Your House On Sand

I was catching up on some interior design reading a couple of nights ago and saw this in the most recent issue of Coastal Living.

June 2011 Coastal Living

Believe it or not, this really is someone's home, not just some crazy styling for an outdoor furniture advertisement.  The home is in Portugal in the town of Comporta which is a rural area described as "wild beaches full of birds and dolphins."  The exterior of the home is made of straw that grows in the area, and the flooring is heated concrete with a nice thick layer of beach sand on top (so it's warm and toasty in the winter months).

Their children play indoors with pails and shovels (no, really).  My favorite line, "A cleaning lady comes in: she goes over the sand with a big rake."  I truly have so many questions here.  I can just see my children hiding their half eaten sandwich in the middle of the room.  Also, I guess you would really need to consider that annoying "no glass bottles" rule at most beaches.

I would love your thoughts!?  If this won't get you to comment, then nothing will.

Have a great day! M. 

Bergere Chairs

I'm working with a client in her formal living room.  At the moment, all the furniture in this space is considered "leggy," meaning there are no skirted pieces.  So, the effect is what I would call a "nervous" room (only for drinking tea and interviewing boys who come to pick up a teenage daughter).  But all that is changing!  She really wants a cozy, comfortable room for escaping with a good book or for enjoying an evening cocktail with her husband.

So, we are going to edit out this pair of bergere chairs and fill in with a pair of skirted chairs to create a more interesting and cozy vibe.   

The great news for you, she is selling these chairs for a steal of a deal.  They are in a neutral silk damask with a wonderful gimp trim, and she's asking $500 each for them (retail value $1,100.00 each).

Because, they are so neutral they will work in a number of places - very versatile.  Look at all these examples of how to incorporate this type of piece.  

Flanking a Fireplace

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Paired with a skirted sofa

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Paired with skirted chairs and a sofa to create a larger seating area.

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In a Nursery

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As a beautiful seating area in the Master Bedroom

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The possibilities are endless.  I very rarely advertise this type of thing for my clients, but I know these are beautiful chairs and are a great price.  If you live in the Birmingham area and are interested, you can email my client directly - Janet's Bergere Chairs, and arrange for pick up.

Have a great day! M.