Filed under: Your Home, Projects, Furniture
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Even as a little girl, I appreciated the power of fabrics: Watching The Sound of Music on an almost daily basis, I always went nuts when Maria cut up the curtains from her lavish guest suite to make "play" clothes for the kids. And we're not talking about any old drapes (oh no), but to-die-for window treatments that must have cost a fortune. Drop the scissors, Fraulein, I beg of you!
I'm not alone in my love of fabric. Whether we consciously think about it or not, the fabrics we choose for our home's furniture use color, pattern and texture to influence our senses and set the tone of any room. For instance, a buttery leather suggests a rich, traditional atmosphere, while a casual cotton or corduroy encourages guests to sink in and stay a while.
Finding the perfect upholstery for your furniture takes careful consideration from many standpoints: Style, comfort, durability and price -- just to name a few. Consider these tips before marrying fabric with furniture.
Know The Difference: Naturals vs. Synthetics
It's important to know that there are two basic forms of fabric: Naturals (fabrics found in nature) and synthetics (fabrics made in test tubes). Both have their pros and cons. Natural fabrics boast added softness and a more organic look, but they can be more susceptible to wear and tear. Synthetic fabrics, on the other hand, can be very durable and resistant to sun damage, but they also tend to feel a bit less luxurious. Because of this, many fabric manufacturers are now creating natural/synthetic blends that pair the strength of one material with the comfort of the other. Microfibers, which usually blend cotton with polyester or wool with acrylics, have become incredibly popular and are often affordable, resist pilling and feel super soft to the touch.
A selection from Pottery Barn's upholstery options. Photos: Pottery Barn
Whether you're buying a sofa from Pottery Barn or reupholstering an heirloom, you'll have several fabric choices at your disposal. Chances are you'll want to think about the way a fabric looks first.
o. Lisa Adams of Adams Design, Inc. in Washington, DC, suggests starting with three main colors for your living room. "The easiest and most flexible strategy is to select neutral seating. From there, add pops of color through pillows, curtains and other furnishings." But, if you have your heart set on an attention-grabbing color or pattern for your sofa, fear not. Consider using a lot of white around the room to help balance out this bold choice with a crisp, grounded look.
o. "Limit yourself to three patterns and a textured solid," says Lisa. This number is small enough to keep things balanced and large enough to avoid the "matchy-matchy" feel. Vary color intensity and the scale (the size of the pattern), so fabrics don't compete with one another.
Outdoor fabrics look amazing indoors! Photo: Sunbrella Fabrics
Even if you've chosen the most durable of fabrics for your home's furniture, you'll still need to plan for how your fabric will "live" in your home. Direct sunlight, heavy traffic and even the dearest of kids can wreak havoc on materials. Here's how to keep them looking as good as new.
o. For the family sofa, opt for something tough and tightly woven like denim, ultra suede or cotton -- possibly with a hint (say, 20 percent) of polyester. You can even use so-called "outdoor" fabrics like Sunbrella, Duralee and Perennials inside your home.
o. In general a high thread count equals a more durable fabric. To test the tightness of the weave, hold a generous sample at both ends and flap hard. If the fabric dimples or stretches, move on. Some designers even choose "commercial" fabrics (those approved for use in hotels and restaurants) for families with kids and pets. Try Fabricut for affordable, durable style.
o. Consider having your upholstery fiber-sealed for stain resistance. Also, rotate cushions regularly to ensure even wear -- and don't be afraid to vacuum fabric. Of all the fabrics, velvet tends to get dusty the most.
Not crazy for this stripe pattern? Crate & Barrel offers 19 options for upholstery on this sofa. Photo: Crate & Barrel
Now that you know what you're looking for, how do you ensure that you're getting the best fabric for your home at a price you can afford? Here's how:
o. In addition to browsing fabric centers and furniture stores, you can find great fabrics by looking at catalogs, magazines and manufacturer web sites. Some high-end fabrics are only sold "to the trade" (i.e., design professionals). If you see one you love, contact the manufacturer or your closest design center or showroom to check on availability.
o. Before purchasing a fabric, take swatches home; to get an accurate idea of how they'll look in your space, cut each piece to scale based on how they'll be used in the room. The upholstery fabric should be the biggest swatch, followed by the drapes, table coverings, pillows, etc. Layer all of the pieces on a board to see how they relate. If you select a busy pattern (say, a floral theme by Laura Ashley) request the largest possible swatch to make sure you still like it in high doses.
o. Major retailers like Crate & Barrel and Ballard Designs offer a wide variety of fabric choices -- far more than you'll see in the catalog or on the sales floor. For an added fee, many retailers will cover your new sofa or chairs with upholstery you purchased elsewhere -- this is called "customer's own material" (or C.O.M. for short). Note that this will usually add to the turnaround time, which averages about six weeks for many manufacturers. If you're in a hurry, ask if the manufacturer or retailer has a "ready-to-ship" line (usually a smaller selection of popular items) for instant gratification.
o. Fabric prices are based not on durability but on the cost of production. For top-of-the-line manufacturers -- such as Old World Weavers and Brunschwig & Fils -- that includes renting mills in Europe. If upper-echelon upholstery is out of reach, mix more affordable fabrics with touches of the sublime, such as a pillow made from antique French fabric. "And don't rule out the best of the best," says Lisa. "Lately fabric houses like Scalamandré are trying to capture larger market shares with creative fabrics at more reasonable prices."