Designer Sofa Tips and Secrets - Part I: Fabric

Example of solid color/neutral sofa anchoring the space - color is similar to wall colors.

Solid sofa - color and pattern splash in smaller pieces.

Recently, I cut out an article from House Beautiful (link to magazine), entitled "Designer Tips and Secrets - 50 Things you Need to Know About Sofas". While dedicated followers of my 10-year old refurbishing upholstered furniture business know that "I DO NOT DO SOFAS", many of the tips apply to love seats and other sizable upholstered pieces (which I do refurbish and sell - my anti-sofa mode has more to do with storage and shipping challenges than anything else.)

Here are some of the tips and techniques dealing with the selection of fabric - one of the hardest choices to make. Since my business is almost all about the quality and appeal of the fabric, this is a good place for me to start in reviewing and discussing tips and secrets.

To establish calm, I upholster sofas in a solid that's the same color as the walls and curtains - Barbary Barry

I never use big patterns or trendy colors for large upholstered pieces. The punch of pattern or hot splash of trendy color should come from the throw pillows so they can be easily substituted when you need change - Tom Stringer

Always use dark fabric for skirts so heel scuffs are not visible - Jill Shark Brinson  

Stripes, florals, you name it, I love pattern! But using one of these isn't for the faint of heart.  It says, "I'm bold, fearless, and not afraid of commitment" - Schuyler Samperton 

SO ... many designers suggest using solid fabrics and avoiding patterns or trendy colors.  Yet, there is a "shout-out" for those who dare to be bolder and go with something more eye-catching. My own philosophy is that you can use the bolder patterns/colors if you have serenity in other elements of the room decor. For example, a cream or other neutral rug with calm walls and window treatments sometimes gets just the right balance with a little more "verve" in the upholstered pieces - particularly ones that are the focal point of the room.

Here are some of the fabrics I've used over the years on larger settees and love seats. A lot of the fabrics are solid (and vary neutral) but there are definitely splashes of boldness!

Fine Upholstered Furniture in the Bathroom

Upholstered bench in my own bathroom

Since I am always trying to convince people that they need more fine upholstered furniture (particularly mine) and that there are so many places in their homes for a possible good fit, I feel compelled to share ideas like this one - placing fine upholstered furniture in bathrooms.

I have a lovely bench in my own master bathroom which has had over 12 years two sets of fabric to match the green and cream toile in the room. It is currently upholstered in a loose-weave cream woven pattern with tight-woven trim and round pillows. It is the place that I use to place clothes I plan to wear; sit on to put on my shoes or socks; and, my granddaughters love to pretend it is a boat or a plane. It is a useful piece and I am happy that I have the space.

I researched (googled) the phrase "upholstered furniture in bathroom" and got one good article on the subject from House Beautiful as well as a number of great images - the latter of which I placed on my pinterest board link.

Upholstered seating in the bathroom is not the most common thing to see - it is a rarity to have enough space to accommodate furniture in one of the smaller, more utilitarian rooms in the home. It can look great though - turning a room that sometimes feels cold and impersonal into much more of a sanctuary. It creates...

...a room that functions as more of a hybrid between the a dressing room and the bathroom - a place for taking a long bath and getting ready for an evening out. link to article

The following images are all parked on my pinterest board (see above link) with source information.

This Art Deco chair has great curves to complement this space. 

I often see ottoman in bathrooms as well as large dressing rooms - these are such versatile pieces!

I love tis elegant piece which is probably more "artistic" than comfortable but it would certainly be useful as a place to stack towels or guest toiletries. 

This looks like the ultimate in luxury particularly with the open window. 

Lovely and petite!

 I always have some pieces in my inventory that I think would work in a bathroom setting - depending on the size and set up of the bathroom. Here are some examples.

A Visit to Ikea - Pure Inspiration!

Colorful display near entrance to Ikea - love this lively combination!

I take a trip to our Atlanta-area Ikea store whenever my upholsterers tell me I need more feather pillow inserts for my furniture - I usually add one or two to each piece refurbished and the Ikea pillows (20X20 and lumbar) at $6.99 each are the BEST deal anywhere. They are well-made (no feather loss) and a nice 95/5 feather and down combination - easily sold for $15-20 elsewhere. I buy twenty at a time which is about what fits into one of their carts.

I thought this was  serene setting.

I had a little extra time recently so I took the longer path to my pillow location visiting other display areas. I am continuously impressed (amazed) with their design and retail savvy. Their displays are colorful and informative. The pieces are well labeled and it is easy to get price and other details. The prices are VERY reasonable and there were even items "on sale" - such as a really nice standing floor mirror at $79 (formerly $129). I wished I needed it.

One of the things that Ikea displays well is how to maximize the use of smaller spaces. The store  have a series of displays for different square footage areas demonstrating how to use well-sized and sometimes multiple purpose pieces to achieve a well balanced room. I recently posted recommendations for decorating small spaces link to posting and the retailer clearly understands the principles involved such as emphasizing the vertical, using colors wisely, and choosing furniture with narrow arms.

Another colorful setting that would work in smaller space.

Too bad the view here can't be included in the purchase!

Love this light fixture - looks very high end and unique. 

Ikea's kitchen design business seems to be growing. I know of people who worked with Ikea products and design assistance and were VERY happy with the outcome. I see Ikea kitchens in show houses (2012 Southern Living House in Senoia, Georgia) and magazines. 

Small space designs are well placed throughout the store.

 I am looking for a reasonable rug(s) and seriously considering sisal/seagrass or a similar look. 

Checking out - I bought my 20 pillow inserts and, for the first time at Ikea, purchased a bolt (27 yards) of their cotton fabric - heavy and good color saturation. I plan to use on a tall settee and matching chair - should be wonderful done horizontally!

Well, this was a fun visit and I continue to appreciate the well-priced pieces available to frugal shoppers. I would not, however, recommend their upholstered pieces other than for very short-term use (e.g. temporary apartment, seldom used vacation home, college dorm). They are not that well made and definitely not worth redoing which is my standard for fine upholstered pieces. They do provide a low cost alternative to home furnishings when it makes sense.

Color Trends for 2013 - Emerald Green

The self-proclaimed "color/colour" expert for fashion and design is Pantone link to website.  They have proclaimed the color "emerald" to be THE COLOR of 2013 and, not surprisingly, the design magazines and websites are starting to burst with this color.

Pantone® 17-5641 Emerald is a deeper color, at once evocative of the luxury of precious gems and the lush, verdant greens of nature.

It is a very strong green and it will be interesting to see how well it does for the more general consumers.  Last year's color, tangerine orange, was certainly seen in design spreads but not too many people actually used much of it in their homes.

Here are some emerald green images that I have collected on my pinterest board link to board and sources.  I do love the brightness of this color!

While I have a few green chairs "in production", I only have one in my current inventory that comes close to this strong saturated color. I am showing it in a mini-collage with one of my Hipstamatic IPhone photos of holiday decorations in the house.  In these waning days of the 2012 Christmas holidays, the emerald color can be a way to honor the season all year round!

This lovely chair may be sold but has been available on eBay and Etsy!