How Light Effects Your Paint Color
Besides creating beautiful home fashions, Roseland also provides expert consultations on interior design. One
area we’re most asked about is choosing paint color. We’ve rounded up our designers and here’s their best
advice on choosing the perfect paint color for your home.
Check Time of Day – As the sunlight moves throughout your home during the day, color perception can change
dramatically. Morning light is a mixture of warm colors and can help paint glow. Afternoon light is much bluer,
while bright sunlight can wash out most any color. Be especially careful choosing colors late in the afternoon
and early evening when the long shadows can change the appearance of many colors. Evening light is warmer
and brings out these tones in your paint.
Check Direction of Light – In north-facing rooms bolder colors will show up better than soft or light colors, since it is cool light that filters through these rooms. South-facing rooms show best in cool and warm colors. Dark colors will be brighter and lighter colors will shine! East-facing rooms really hold up well to red, orange and yellow colors, while west-facing rooms can look a bit dull in the evening, but warm and beautiful in the evening light.
Check Type of Light – When choosing paint, natural daylight is unbeatable in revealing the truest color of paint. Incandescent light will highlight warm tones and yellows, while fluorescent lighting brings out blue tones.
If you’d like to schedule an in-home paint consultation, please call us at 630-355-1565. Our rates are reasonable and our expertise unmatched!
Pet-Friendly Window Treatments!
The best window treatments for your home are those that cater to the entire family - including pets! Our
designers have some great suggestions, for choosing window fashions that will stand up to most any of our
four-legged friends.
Vertical Blinds Win Over Horizontals - Pets can really do a lot of damage to mini-blinds, so we
suggest verticals instead. These are easier for the pet to "part," and gain valuable window access, without
doing damage.
If you prefer horizontal blinds, we recommend wood or ever faux wood, over aluminum or vinyl. Besides the
more sturdy material, they come in wider slats, so that pets can peer through them more easily. Better yet, leave them partially open so that your cat or dog won’t have to climb through them for an unobstructed view of the great outdoors.
Cordless for Safety - Cordless blinds and shades remove the tempting, dangling cords from your pet’s view. This cuts down on damage, and makes for a safer environment for everyone.
Avoid Low-Hanging Fabrics - Depending on your pet, you may consider replacing low-hanging draperies with a decorative valance covering the top portion of your window. Valances will add the softness and texture of draperies to your room, without enticing your kitties to climb them.
Shutters are a Great Choice - Plantation shutters, in general, really stand up to pets. They are also quite stylish and will add to the value of your home. Since they are attached to the window frame, they are durable and provide only minimal access to the window. It’s difficult for a pet to get close to a window covered in shutters, so they seldom try.
Roller Shades Work Too - These shades are a good choice for households with pets, since they do not tend to collect much pet hair. They can easily be rolled up during the day, providing a generous view for cats and dogs. At night, when they may be pulled down, a pet can more easily fit behind them, without doing damage. Win-win!
Whatever window fashion you have, it’s best to give your pet an unobstructed view of the outside by raising it, opening it, or sliding it over! They’ll be happier staying inside, if they get to watch their favorite entertainment, outside!
Top 10 Decorating Mistakes - To Avoid!
Roseland employs only degreed interior designers, so we love to get their input and ideas any
chance we can get! These are the top 10 decorating mistakes they’ve seen in their long careers.
If you find you’ve made these mistakes, we can help!
1) Visible clutter Less is always more! Use bookshelves, decorative baskets and storage ottomans to
tuck some items away!
2) Covering HVAC ducts Keep furniture and area rugs off these vents for maximum ventilation.
3) Uncomfortable furniture No matter how stylish it is, every piece of furniture should be comfy
and inviting!
4) Untested wall color Long before you paint an entire wall in a trendy color, always test it by
painting part of the wall (small jars of paint colors are available). In the end, you may choose to do just one wall,
not all four.
5) Pure white Be very careful about purchasing a pure white rug or piece of furniture. While it can certainly make a statement in a room, it’s bound to show every mark and require extra cleaning.
6) Too trendy item We encourage customers to follow the latest trend only when it fits with the rest of their room and their overall style. What’s in today, may be out tomorrow, so make sure it’s something you truly love!
7) No quick fix Our designers encourage customers to think of home fashions as an investment in their home. Inexpensive items will need to be replaced over time, while quality does last.
8) TV-focus All too often, the television is the focal point of the room. We suggest to our clients that they lay out furniture so that the TV blends into the design of the room.
9) Ignoring windows Window treatments can add color and style to a room. They can also provide privacy and energy savings. Consider adding, or enhancing, your window treatments as an integral part of the design of a room.
10) Not using Roseland! We’ll come to you with fabric choices and lots of samples. We can offer free swatches and even temporary shades when needed on a new window. Choosing your home fashions, where you’ll use your home fashions, is never a mistake!
Patio Door Solutions Beyond Vertical Blinds!
Roseland always brings you the latest designs and innovations for your home. Patio Doors are no excpetion! Check
out the trending ways these doors can be transformed into a focal point of any room. Schedule a free shop-at-home
appointment to see these stunning products right in your own home.
Elance Sliding Panels - These gorgeous flat panels come in a wide variety of fabrics to really make a statement in
any room. They slide to the side of the door, stacking neatly behind each other, providing a clean look with maximum
access and light. When closed, they offer maximum privacy and an equally beautiful look!
- Averte Folding Panels - Averte folding panels bring high fashion weaves, in 170 patterns, to sliding glass
- doors! They operate just like a drapery, softly folding to either side of the door, or with a split-draw, stacking
- to both sides. Without cords to tangle or break, they open and close with a gentle push on the guide rail. For
- privacy and energy efficiency they can be lined or unlined and even motorized!
- Allure Transitional Shades - Allure Transitional Shades are truly unique! They do not stack to either side,
- but actually roll up into the fabric covered headrail, making them ideal for tight spaces. They also provide nearly an endless variety of light control and viewing options. When closed they provide complete privacy (even room darkening), but then can open to varying degrees providing exceptional view-through with subtle light filtering. The choice is up to you!
- Shutters - You may not have considered Bypass or Bi-Fold shutters an option for your patio door, but they are a great solution. Bypass shutters glide effortlessly past each other, along top-mounted tracks. They provide the ultimate in privacy and beauty when closed, and stack neatly when open. Bi-Fold shutters allows up to six panels to be hinged together, as they fold cleanly to the side when open and soften sunlight when closed.
- Vertical Cellular Shades - Another wonderful solution for patio doors is a vertical cellular shade. These “Vertiglide” products are constructed of insulating cellular pockets of air, similar to a horizontal honeycomb shade. They’re available in a wide variety of colors and fabrics and provide a soft, finished touch to any room.
- Draperies - Draperies always add a touch of softness and beauty to any patio door. They are both functional and highly decorative. They can provide the ultimate in privacy with heavier fabrics and lining to increase energy efficiency in your home. They are also unmatched in the variety of fabrics available, each providing their own level of light filtering. There’s literally no end to the design possibilities as we bring hundreds of fabric samples right to you!
AT ROSELAND, you work with interior designers, not salespeople. HERE'S A SAMPLING of the expertise you'll find...
Add Fall Colors
to Your Home the Easy Way
A great way to welcome in a new season is to add a touch of its colors to your rooms. The warm, fall colors of green, dark red, soft orange or yellow and mellow brown can be added on a temporary basis to most color palettes. The result is a spark of new life to a room which embraces each season.
Our interior designers offer these easy ways you can add a touch of fall to any décor:
- Throw rug, blanket or pillows – Add an autumn inspired throw rug to a room or toss some bright pillows on a neutral sofa. An orange, yellow or brown blanket, draped over the arm of a chair, just invites someone to snuggle on a cool fall night.
- Candles – These make us think of fall with their warmth and if you purchase a few in autumn colors they can be placed throughout your home. Flameless candles, in fall colors, are a safe alternative for homes with children or pets.
- Wreath – Set the tone by adorning your front door with a fall-inspired wreath.
- Bring in the outside – Invite greenery inside by putting flowers, leaves, gourds, pinecones, etc. in vases or bowls throughout your home. These can be faux items or actually collected from your yard! Investing in clear vases will allow the contents to add the color and then be updated to highlight each season.
- Frames – An easy way to add a seasonal touch is by switching some photo frames to a fall themed-frame. If this is done for wall-hanging pictures, it really makes a statement.
- Halloween décor? – Check through your Halloween decorations for some tasteful pumpkins which could fit on a fireplace mantle, kitchen shelf or front porch. Once you go pumpkin picking, choose some to carve and some smaller pumpkins to display!
Mix and Match Patterns
Like a Pro
Mixing and matching patterns in one can seem daunting to a beginner decorator. Break open a home fashion
magazine though, and it’s all you’ll see! At Roseland Draperies, we think decorating your home shouldn’t be
challenging, it should be fun. We’re here to help with a few tips from our interior designers to get you started –
mixing and matching!
- It’s best to choose three or more patterns. The larger the room, the more patterns you can add. We
- recommend the “60-30-10 rule.” Choose a favorite pattern and use it 60% of the time, a second favorite about 30% of the time and your third choice 10%. This will bring variety, but also balance to the room.
- Repeat your key colors in the patterns you choose. This is the greatest factor in making a striped bedskirt blend perfectly with a plaid pillow. Bringing together different patterns, which are tied together by their primary or secondary colors, can give them the feel of belonging together.
- Mix and match patterns, but stay with the same color intensities. For instance, don’t mix jewel-tones with pastels. Also, be sure to blend in solids, so that the patterns truly do stand out and so there’s a place for one’s eye to rest.
- Remember that your patterns do not need to overwhelm! Subtle patterns that blend two low-contrast colors or use tone-on-tone patterns can add interest to a room, but not busyness.
- Distribute your patterns throughout the space. Patterns used in bedding, upholstery and bedding can be complemented with non-fabric items. Artwork, vases, area rugs can all be used to repeat a pattern. Even the design of your furniture can reflect the pattern of the room.
Roseland works with fabric companies that have assembled “groups of fabrics that work well together. We also work with only the top fabric manufacturers. They have used their expertise to combine fabrics into families, which greatly simplifies the process as well.
Top Treatments Add a Splash!
If you have a room that needs a bit of pizzazz, “top treatments” may just be the answer. We find that many of our clients opt for neutral colors in their blinds and shades. This is a great way to ensure longevity, since the room’s style and color can change without the client having to replace the window treatments too! Sometimes though, a splash of color, or the warmth of fabric, is a welcome addition to the room.
Top treatments include valances and cornices, which cover all or part of the top of the window. They were originally created to conceal less-than-decorative window treatment hardware, but with all the beautiful options now, this is no longer their primary function. Designers use top treatments to tie room colors together, add a bit of fun or formality to a room, and to create a stunning custom look to a window, when a client wants the shades or blinds to be strictly neutral.
Valances
Valances can be short, covering only the very top of the window, or quite long with scalloped hems and elongated sides. They may include gathered fabric, or simply be a neat, flat fabric panel that runs across the window. Swags are considered valances, and give the room a more formal look. Often paired with a beautiful curtain rod, they can be created with a variety of fabrics, as long as the material can be loosely draped.
The popular box-pleated valances give a tailored appearance to a window, as they add softness. Fabric choices are limitless, from very sheer fabric draped over a rod, to a stiff drapery weight fabric. They are often used to add a pattern, subtle texture or bright color to the room. They are a favorite for livening up neutral window treatments.
Cornices
Cornices tend to be more tailored in appearance, as the fabric is attached to a solid backing. Roseland creates these “from scratch” in virtually any shape and size needed. Cornices often include additional trim pieces, like buttons or cording, adding decorative details to a room.
Roseland Draperies is the expert in adding color and softness to any room via a top treatment. Best of all, they can be installed right over your existing blinds, shades, draperies and even sheers. Roseland’s top treatments come in a variety of shapes, and a virtually unlimited number of fabrics. When you choose Roseland Draperies, we’ll bring these fabrics right to your home and we will help you create a stunning, custom-made “topping” for your windows.
Wood Versus Faux Wood ~ What's the best choice?
At Roseland Draperies our designers are true experts on the products we carry. One question, which is often asked, is
the difference between “real” wood and faux wood, for wood blinds and shutters. At first glance you may think that “real”
wood is always the best choice, but it’s a bit more complicated!
We find that both options can offer the best solution, depending on the client’s requirements. Here are a few of the
questions our designers will ask, to determine which product they would recommend:
Humidity in the room? Our first consideration is always whether or not the room will experience high humidity.
Bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms should almost always use faux wood products, rather than wood blinds or
shutters. True wood products cannot tolerate long-term exposure to humidity, without warping or fading.
In contrast, faux wood products are highly moisture resistant, due to their construction. The products we carry have a
durable PVC coating and either a solid, engineered wood composite core or they offer hybrid wood/composite
construction. This also makes them much less likely to crack, chip or peel over time.
Size of the window? Most people believe a wood product would be heavier than faux wood, but just the opposite is true. For large, oversized windows, we’d always suggest going with a wood product since it’s much lighter. Especially with blinds, faux wood can be quite heavy, making it more difficult to raise for some individuals. One solution we’ve found, if faux wood is truly needed, is to install multiple blinds along a wide window, blending them together using a single headrail at the top.
Maintenance requirements? When making a recommendation, we also consider how much time the customer is willing to spend in caring for their window treatments. Wood blinds and shutters should never be cleaned with water. We suggest they be dry-dusted on a regular basis, and wiped down with furniture polish or lemon tree oil for a deeper cleaning occasionally.
Faux wood blinds and shutters however, are a bit more durable, when it comes to cleaning. This makes them ideal for high-traffic areas and kids’ bedrooms or playrooms. They can be wiped down, with a wet cloth, as needed. If a heavier cleaning is required, they can even be immersed in water without fear of water damage.
Budget? In most cases, real wood products will be more expensive than faux wood. There is a range of pricing though, so wood may be anywhere from 10-40% more costly. For some, the rich, warm texture of “real” wood has a timeless appeal. Wood products do lend an organic feel to the décor of a room. However, high quality faux wood is fabricated to have the gorgeous, earthy look of natural wood.
Both are winners! Both types of products provide outstanding insulation for your window. They will keep out the cold during the winter, and block UV rays from hitting your furniture and heating up the room in the summer. In addition, both wood and faux wood blinds and shutters are offered in dozens of different paints, stains and finishes. For shutters, a completely customized color can even be ordered!
When we visit you in your home, we’re able to take the time and ask these questions. No two homes are alike, so our goal is always to find the perfect product for your particular need. Just one more reason why it’s a great idea to schedule a free shop-at-home appointment with Roseland Draperies today!
Choosing Outdoor Fabrics that Last
Choosing an outdoor fabric doesn’t have to be difficult, but you do have to know what to look for. Especially in the
Midwest, you’ll always want to choose fabric that’s labeled “all-weather”, “weather-proof”, or something similar. Our
designers have shared a few other recommendations which they always suggest to Roseland clients.
One of the most important considerations is UV resistance. Fortunately, it’s fairly straightforward. The higher the UV
resistance rating, the longer it will last when exposed to sunlight. The type of fabric used can greatly effect the UV
tolerance. Polyester and acrylic fabrics are typically a good choice. Also, a woven fabric will stand up to the sun
better than a printed fabric.
However, any fabric will gradually fade over time. Keep this in mind as you choose the fabric color and pattern. Very
dark and very vibrant colors will fade much faster. To help delay fading, you can store pillows and cushions away from daylight when not in use. Also, remember that the fabric is still exposed to fade-inducing sunlight, even on overcast days!
You may also want to choose a water-repellant, or better yet, waterproof fabric. Most outdoor fabrics have a coating which protects them from water, but it’s always better to ask and make sure. It should also protect against the formation of mold and mildew. This coating unfortunately, does wear away over time, so outdoor cushions and pillows won’t last forever!
The final consideration is “abrasion resistance”. Furniture kept outdoors can really take a beating! Always consider how well the fabric will hold up under demanding use. Fabrics which are quite stiff and heavy hold up well. Some are even coated with vinyl to increase their toughness. For a softer look, there are also outdoor upholstery fabrics which are tough, but which look great.
It’s all a trade-off between an inviting look, and outdoor items which will wear reasonably well. By making the right choices, your outdoor furniture and pillows can last for quite a while … or until you’re ready for a new look!
Laundry Room Redo!
Interested in tackling a fun and creative project, that’s not going to break the bank? Why not give a fresh look to a
room you probably spend way too much time in…the laundry room! It’s a great place to let your creativity run wild,
adding colors and creative touches you might not want to try in your more “formal” rooms.
We surveyed our in-house interior designers, and collected their ideas on giving your laundry room a quick and easy
makeover:
- This room is a great place to hang your kids’ artwork. Consider framing a few of your favorite pieces to display
- and admire.
- Since it’s likely a small space, don’t overdo it. Stick with a couple of favorite colors, combined with a neutral
- tone to match the laundry machines. If there’s no window, or only a small window, bright, lively colors will help
- make the room feel cheery.
- Stay with simple, clean patterns on any rugs or other furnishings, which won’t overwhelm the room.
- Decorative boxes, bins and baskets are your friend! Use them, in a variety of sizes, to house all your supplies
- and other laundry items. Try to have a storage container for everything, to keep the room organized and make
- reordering supplies easy.
- Resist the urge to store other, unrelated items in your laundry room. On the other hand, feel free to add something “fun” like a radio, television, or audio player to help make laundry chores more enjoyable.
- If you’ve remodeled your kitchen (or know someone who has) the old cabinets make a great addition to a laundry room. With a quick coat of paint, they’ll provide the perfect spot to tuck away all your supplies.
- If the room is larger than normal, you can create a multi-function room. Add a designated area to house gift wrap supplies, or store your favorite hobby!
- Don’t forget a lovely window treatment, to provide privacy or allow in lots of light. Roseland has many great options for small spaces!
Laundry rooms no longer need to be dull or uninviting. Try out a few of our tips and see if you don’t look forward to your next batch of laundry!
Decorating with Kids & Pets in Mind
As kids get older the baby-proofing goes away, but the kid-proofing can last until they’re off to college! There are some simple ways to make sure your fine furniture lasts through childhood and your rooms look fresh. Leather furniture is a good idea, for pieces used daily. If that’s not possible, consider slipcovers for lightly-colored items. These can be stylishly made and easily washed. For all fabrics, use patterns and textures, to camouflage spills and wear and tear.
Only use washable paint on any surface, with a finish of eggshell, or glossier. There are washable matte finishes too, but try them on a small area first. Choose flooring that can be cleaned with a mop, adding an area rug for softness. This will wear better than carpeting.
Common sense says to put breakables up high, but also make sure you put kid-friendly, yet interesting, knick-knacks within reach (a globe or binoculars, for instance). Make sure everyone has an area to hang out! A final suggestion is to put a decorative, empty bin (or any storage container) in heavily used rooms. This can be used to “stash” items quickly for nightly cleanup or when company unexpectedly arrives! Most of all, remember one of my favorite quotes, “Excuse the mess, but we actually live here!”
Declutter Like a Pro!
Roseland's interior designers are in many homes across the western suburbs and “de-cluttering” comes up a lot! Their number one rule is to take it a step at a time, so that you’re not overwhelmed. Here are a few of their tips that will help speed things up.
- Start with one room and pretend you’re about to list your home for sale. Leave the furniture, but clear everything else from the room. Then only add back items that are absolutely needed.
- Everything leftover should be sorted into “toss”, “donate” and “pack” piles. Toss and donate piles are self-explanatory, but “pack” is really the fun one. These are the items you really love, but you don’t want re-cluttering the room.
- Put some of these out as decorative objects, but keep the rest packed away. Every once in a while pull a few out to display. However, for every new object taken out, one gets packed away! You’ll love the breathing room on your tables and shelves, and will enjoy rotating the fun stuff.
Work on it a bit each day, doing sections of larger rooms, one closet or a small bathroom, each day. If you have 30 minutes to quickly clean out a closet, consider that a victory. In no time you’ll have a house that is clutter-free and ready for holiday decorating!
A Room with a View?
One aspect of a room that proves difficult to change, is the view out the windows. Despite best efforts to brighten up
a room with color, add an interesting focal point, or make a sofa enticing with throw pillows, if the view outside is not
pleasing it can detract from the entire room. No worries though. Roseland has been in the interior design business
long enough to have some great ideas on blocking, or at least minimizing, the “ugly” view!
Plants to the Rescue
If the view is the side of a neighbor’s home, or something equally large, one option may be to put up a fence. This solution is costly, but also low maintenance and long-lasting. You can try a more “decorative” fence, or a standard wood fence and adorn it with various decorations. A greener option is to create a “living fence” made up of small trees, bushes or bamboo. Your local landscaper can suggest plants that will grow quickly, stay compact and produce greenery year-round.
You may also use plants placed strategically outside, around the immediate area of the window. This will block a bit of light (depending on the density of the plant), but your ugly view could be transformed into a view of magnolia blossoms or ornamental grasses.
Window Treatments – Our Speciality!
Roseland can provide virtually any type of window treatment you can imagine. We enjoy visiting customers in their homes, so that we can help solve any “ugly view” issues a customer may have. We have products, like transitional shades (transitions from light-filtering to blackout), top down blinds and gliding panels which customers are often not even aware of! We can offer you a solution to let in light, yet block parts of the view if necessary. Best of all, our shop-at-home appointments, and ideas, are always free!
Tinted Windows
It’s possible to replace the glass in your windows with tinted glass or even a custom-made stained glass. While this can be expensive, it can also be beautiful. Some vendors also offer tinted film which can be applied to an existing window, giving the same effect as a tinted window. This is best installed by a professional, since a poor installation will make the “view” even worse!
Distract!
Another option is to distract from the view, rather than completely blocking it. Install a hanging plant, a sun-catcher, or other decorative item immediately in front of the window. The eye will be drawn to the beautiful decoration, and the view outside will tend to drop away.
Mirrors?
This only works in certain spaces, like a walk-in closet, mudroom or small bathroom that has an especially poor view. Switch out the window glass for a mirrored glass, or install mirrored panels over the existing glass. This can also be done on only the lower portion of a window, if you’d like to allow in some natural light. It’s a good solution for rooms where an extra mirrored area makes sense, and in a small room where it’s desirable to reflect the limited available light.
Roseland sees many of its customers combining parts of these ideas to develop the perfect solution for their room and their view. A colorful sun catcher filling in the open space created by a top-down blind, may be just the thing to put the finishing touch on a beautifully decorated room!
Hang Pictures Like a Pro!
Hanging pictures, and other artwork, can add a lot of personality to a room. With new picture hanging
options, which won’t leave marks when removed, your artwork and pictures can even be changed
throughout the year, adding a new look with each season!
However, it can be a challenge to know just how to arrange pictures correctly. Should they be in a pattern?
Cover the entire wall? Since Roseland Draperies only employs interior designers, they always have expert
input to share with clients. Here is their best guidance on hanging pictures with style.
Practice first - Before you hang the very first picture, you should have a specific plan for the entire group.
Arrange the frames on the floor immediately adjacent to where they will be hung. Actually seeing how the pictures
play off each other when arranged, is much better than simply doing a sketch of the layout. Move them around until
you are happy with the layout. Now you have a plan and a layout!
Group together – While you don’t want the pictures too tightly packed, it’s much better to have them
grouped closely, rather than spread out with large spaces between the frames. You want the items to work together
and present themselves as a styled group, with lots of free space around the perimeter of the arrangement. If you have a large wall, you may still end up with too much empty space, after your pictures are hung. You may want to fill some this space with a large vase, plant or other decorative object or piece of furniture. If you’re arranging a group of pictures over a large piece of furniture (a sofa, for instance) the group should not extend beyond the width of the furniture. A good rule is to keep the width of the group to within 75% of the width of the furniture.
Match sizes – In general, the size of the artwork should be proportional to the wall. Hang large pictures on large walls, and smaller sized pictures on small walls.
Eye level – Keep the final arrangement, or a single large picture, centered at eye level. You may have figure the average “eye level” of people in your home, if there’s a wide range of heights in your family. A typical range for “eye level,” is for the center of the picture, or grouping, to be 5’3” to 5”6” from the floor. Once you know the average, you can arrange your pictures about 8 inches higher or lower than that point. Also keep in mind whether your pictures will be mainly viewed while standing (as in a hallway) or sitting, and adjust accordingly.
Add design – You can add a bit of “design” to your room by arranging your pictures in a pattern. For instance, a straight line formed by the bottoms of a series of frames, or a “V” pattern arrangement of three pictures. Make sure this pattern is grouped closely together and at eye–level too!
Be yourself – Don’t be afraid to combine various elements if you’re putting together a grouping for a wall. Feel free to combine photographs, artwork and even decorative plates or display boxes! What you display on your walls says a lot about your personality and style. Have fun expressing yourself all throughout your home!
Reupholstery Fabric - How to Make the Perfect Choice
One of the most important parts of reupholstering a piece of furniture is choosing the right fabric. It’s not always as
easy as you might think! The fabric can add to the overall quality of the item, but if not chosen correctly, it can
actually detract from the piece.
First, consider how the piece will be used. If it’s an occasional chair, tucked in the corner, there’s a bit more
flexibility. If it’s subject to daily use it’s important to choose fabric that will resist dirt, won’t fade and will show only
minimal wear over time. For heavily used items choose a tightly woven, high thread count, durable fabric.
In general linen fabrics may be problematic because they soil and wrinkle easily. Cotton and cotton blends offer good resistance to wear, pilling and fading. They are also more resistant to soil and wrinkling, and so are considered “family friendly”. Also, the durability of cotton varies greatly with its type of weave. Wool is not a bad choice either, since it is durable and is not likely to fade or wrinkle. Often wool is blended with a synthetic fiber when it is used for upholstery.
Leather, and the less expensive vinyl, can also be used. They are ideal for high-use items, dining room and kitchen chairs. Watch the quality though, as it will dictate its long-term durability. Silks and synthetics are recommended only for very specific low-use areas.
Nylon, when blended with other fibers, is one of the strongest fabrics for upholstery. It, along with Olefin, is often used on furniture that will be used every day.
Second, match the fabric style to the piece – Often the style of the furniture will guide the pattern that is appropriate and maybe even the color. It’s best to choose your fabric alongside the furniture, so that you can imagine the combination. Of course the fabric style should also blend with the rest of the room. When considering patterns, the size of the pattern should complement the size of the piece. A very large chair may be overwhelming with a large print. Conversely, a very small print on a large chair will tend to get lost. We also caution against going with “trendy” colors. Ask yourself if you’ll love the color, when it eventually goes out of style!
Third, check how the fabric can be cleaned – Here’s where you need to check out the fabric’s surface to determine its suitability. Most fabrics are labeled with the number of “double rubs”. The higher the better (over 50,000), as it indicates a longer-wearing fabric. Check the cleaning instructions for the fabric and whether or not you think the pattern would hide stains well.
Fourth, feel the fabric – Unlike choosing paint colors, the fabric you choose will likely be “felt” by you. Make sure it’s pleasing to the touch!
Final considerations – Often there are special considerations that will point you to one fabric type or another. If you have pets or small kids, durability (leather, microfiber) is king! If the piece will get direct sunlight, focus on fade-resistant fabrics. If you have allergies, consider microfiber as it is lint free and resists dust!
Bold Colors to Brighten up your Rooms
Adding bold colors to your home adds personality, so our designers always encourage it! However, we do give clients guidelines so that the “personality” of their home is inviting, not overpowering. We always suggest clients work towards “balance” in their home. For every wall or furnishing that makes a bold statement, balance that with something more neutral. Balance warm (yellow to red) and cool (blues and greens) colors, whenever possible. If you have a bright orange sofa you love, add some blue accents to the room.
It’s also wise to test out your appetite for bold colors by starting in a small room. Maybe begin with a bathroom or mudroom. If you like the feel, then expand into larger living areas. Keep in mind that in a larger area you don’t want to simply paint the whole room. Add a boldly colored rug, lighting fixture or paint just the entry.
We also advise clients to choose one general “look” for their entire home. For instance, go with pastels or jewel tones, but not both. Colors can change throughout the home, but the palette of one room should flow into the next. Work towards a gentle transition from room to room, never an abrupt change. With these guidelines in mind, a home can positively reflect the personality of each owner, and add just the right amount of pizzaz!