If your house is in dire need of an update and you don’t know where to begin, fabric may be the answer you are looking for. Fabric can add texture, pattern and color to liven up any room. Here are some ideas on how to use it to refresh your space and add a little flavor in five quick and affordable steps.
1. Add new bed linens.
Serena and Lily’s new Frankie duvet
Use their aqua trellis sheets to make your own custom duvet
Garnet Hill’s french stripe duvet in jersey fabric is soft and colorful
Area Linen Shop produces bold, modern prints for the bedroom such as their Big Pool duvet
2. Create an upholstered headboard in a bold pattern.
West Elm’s Diamond Tufted headboard comes in Allegra Hicks’ Ripple fabric
This Flames of Passion upholstered headboard by Spruce Austin is a one of a kind
This custom headboard and bedskirt in fabric by Osborne and Little by Blair Gordon Design comes courtesy of the February issue of Coastal Living magazine
3. Toss a few interesting throw pillows on your couch or chair.
John Robshaw’s Brinjal collection adds a global vibe to any room
The Eye Hot Pink pillow by The Lacey Placey is just one of many affordable original designs you can find on the artist website Etsy
Mix a solid color pillow with one of these bright chevron pillows by The Lacey Placey on Etsy
A graphic pillow such as this embroidered one is just one of the many locales designed by Cat Studio and doubles as a piece of art
4. Add curtains
These patterned curtains in David Hicks’s La Fiorentina in magenta and wine make a statement, photo courtesy of Whitney Kaye Styles blog
Actress Tori Spelling redesigned her family room using Clarence House’s mala mala fabric as her inspiration.
5. Reupholster your dining room chairs
These beachy dining room chairs are in Majorelle Azure by Martyn Bullard Lawrence
Create your own design using Ballard Designs’ Gramercy Chair. This one is upholstered in their black striped herringbone.
Hire a local seamstress and pick your own fabric to custom make any of the above pieces. Try these great fabric web sites:
http://www.johnrobshaw.com/fabric.htm
If you live in LA you can always visit the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood to experience firsthand designer showrooms. Happy designing!
Wow, everything is so beautiful! I can’t pick a favorite. I love your blog, you do a great job. Cheers xoxo
Thank you! I appreciate the feedback. Welcome.
I love playing with new fabrics. A while back, I came into a chair, that while beautiful, didn’t really fit out decor. I found a great fabric/pattern on Etsy and sent it off to the upholsterer up the street — for not too much (and less headache if I’d done it myself) I wound up with a fabulous chair! http://swankyswell.blogspot.com/2010/04/old-chair-got-second-chance.html
I am really enjoying your blog — it’s a great source of inspiration!
Best, marisa
Thanks Marisa! Love your chair. I reupholster furniture too. It’s alot of work but the end product always turns out great!