The most obvious progression from window treatments is to soft furnishings. There is nothing more welcoming when walking into a room, (apart from a roaring log fire!) than textures thoughtfully placed together and soft furnishings of character. This is where a sample board becomes really useful. It does not need to be very big - A4 is fine, but do include a square of your wall colour/colours, any existing samples of fabric and a piece of the flooring. This will save a lot of time and effort. Getting it wrong can be very costly.
It is with soft furnishings that the fun starts with interior design. I shall go through room by room making suggestions which will hopefully whet your appetite!
Living room
This room is where there is a real need for comfort. Cushions to lean against, settees to lounge in, throws to hide an unsightly sofa, footstools to prop tired feet – the list goes on. When choosing the larger items of furniture for a living room, namely the settee, the texture and colour of the upholstery will influence the selection of soft furnishings. If the settees are in a colour which does not ‘shout,’ any additional chairs can be upholstered in an accent fabric which tones with the cushions.
There are lots of cushion covers which can be bought ‘off the peg’, but with a little imagination the room can be made to look stunning by combining different colours and textures. For example, the combination of chenille with silk, or linen with leather and the addition of a button or a strip of contrasting fabric, can make a plain cushion into something special. This is where colour comes into play. Make a statement with a vibrant burst of primary colours, or have black as a contrast combined with a mint green, or jewel like violet together with blue or green. Neutral textures can be relied upon to create a relaxing feel but they need to be punctuated by one or two contrast colours. I always find that a little black goes a long way - it’s a bit like outlining a picture, in terms of making a statement.
There are also the practicalities, for example children who like to snuggle up to cushions whilst watching TV. There is no point in having beautiful cushions which cannot be washed. If the cushions are prone to wear and tear, have one washable set of linen in light colours for summer, and another set in richer colours for winter.
If a piece of fabric appeals but it is very expensive, obtain the minimum amount and use it as a contrast. This can then be combined, to great effect, with a more affordable fabric on cushions.
Dining Room
If the dining chairs have seen better days but are still sound, update them with a loose cover, which can be secured by a loop or a tie at the back. The chairs can either all be covered in one colour, or in the same fabric but in different colour ways.
If the dining chairs have an upholstered back and seat, mixing and matching with different textures and colours could be an option. One suggestion would be to use wipeable leather for the seat, and a luxurious fabric for the seat back. This fabric would be all the same pattern but in different combinations of colour ways, for example purple, turquoise and black or a wine red, deep green and navy blue. The colour of the leather seating would tone with the seat back fabric.
For plain wooden chairs, tie on chair cushions can add comfort to an otherwise hard seat. This also introduces softness to a room and can be of the same fabric as the table cloth or mats.
Dining tables can be dressed to suit the occasion or season. Clean crisp linens for summer lunches in the sun, and gorgeous rich warm shades lit by candlelight on dark winter nights. Consider the style and colour of the crockery when choosing napkins and place mats. Table linen should consist of washable fabrics. Even dress fabric can be used, which is very practical. Try to mix the fabrics, plain for the place mats and patterned for the napkins. This is a good ploy especially if the napkins acquire fruit stains which are notoriously difficult to remove.
A central runner with placemats can also make a statement and is a stylish way of disguising a table top which has seen better days.
Bedroom
This is the room where luxury comes into play. The bed is the focal point of the bedroom, but care must be taken if some of the fabrics are dry clean only. One case in point is if the bed head is padded and upholstered. Far better to have a faux fabric which can be wiped if you like to sit up in bed watching TV or reading, rather than a fabric such as silk which will look shabby in no time!
Throws and cushions can make a bed appear absolutely stunning if the desired look is masculine, feminine or tailored, and the contrasting fabrics are chosen wisely. A faux fur throw edged with leather; a luxurious purple velvet; or cashmere with a smooth fabric will bring the interior to life if the colours are chosen wisely. Nothing must vie for attention. Try to limit cushions to one design combined with some in a plain fabric – less is more. I tend to use no more than four cushions per double bed.
Ultimately it is essential that you pick the right texture and colour of fabric to suit your own lifestyle. Once this has been decided, other elements will follow in the form of pictures or ornaments. These are the items which turn a house into a home.
Anne Stuart
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