Karen Rhodes from the online curtain pole shop Pole Design contributed to the following article about soft furnishings which will appear in a new home improvements magazine called Improving Magazine in April.
Would interior design exist without soft furnishings? They add colour, texture and softness to our homes. Soft furnishings are all about fabrics. Fabric is used to make drapery, curtains, cushions, tiebacks, wall panels and upholstering furniture to add a touch of comfort and without them our rooms would be bare, hard and appear lifeless.
You can have a go at making your own curtains and cushions, but unless you’re a dab hand with a needle and thread it may prove just a little too difficult and time consuming. Luckily, there are plenty of places to shop for every kind of soft furnishing, whatever you taste, or you could hire someone to do it for you.
In a time when people are not moving and investing in their homes instead, adding soft furnishings to your home can make a house feel like a home. We asked interior designer Karen Rhodes, specialising in soft furnishings, to explain the importance of soft furnishings. ‘They really bring a scheme together and create a soft and homely atmosphere to a room. Interlined curtains to me are the best. Not only are they practical, as they keep out cold wintery air, but they provide insulation from noise. Interlined curtains look more weighty and tactile so you want to touch, and feel their soft luxury.
‘Soft furnishings allow your creative expression and to stamp your personality on a place. You would not expect a shy retiring type to have a bright red high gloss kitchen with sparkly lights, but then if they did then they probably have an exciting side well hidden.’
We all want to make the most of our homes because we spend a lot of time in them. We all want nice things that make us feel happy and comfortable at home. ‘We need to be surrounded with the styles we love – it’s a very personal thing.’
Adding soft furnishings to your home will complement the scheme and adds value to the property when you want to sell it. ‘You want to create a look people can aspire to. Buying a house is an emotional experience for a lot of people, and if you have got your interior design and soft furnishings just right you will attract more buyers.’
Karen suggests that you should choose your fabric before picking a colour scheme. ‘If you paint your walls in a particular shade of red and choose your carpet as well, you will suffer apoplexy when trying to find a patterned fabric with the right shade of red.’ Paints and plain carpets are available in every imaginable shade whereas patterns are a combination.
‘Purchase paints, carpets and fabrics at the same time. It’s a good idea to create a mood board and/or sample board with all your swatches laid out together first. Get large 1m samples of fabric and lay them out in situ before making a decision. Go into the room each morning with fresh eyes and if you still like the fabric after a week, get it! Try not to use more than three colours in a scheme.”
Serene, restful, bold or indulgent, no matter what atmosphere you want to create in your bedroom you can find a fabric to create that look. The new Ella Silk Buttoned bedroom collection from Raines & Willow creates a statement of pure style and luxury. It is fully upholstered in 100 percent silk with a matching divan base, which has been coupled with the deep buttoned headboard. It is available in a variety of colours and costs £1,525.
First impressions count, and you never get a second chance to make a first impression. So whether you have a grand entrance hall or a modest hallway, it is important to create a warm and inviting feel as you enter the house. You should choose hard wearing carpets and fabrics because the entrance to your home has to withstand the comings and goings of your visitors. These Felt rugs have been made and used by nomadic people of the Tien Shan mountains in Kyrgyzstan for over 2,000 years. They are wool rugs with a tough felt base, which makes them great for entrance halls. They also come in a selection of eye catching colours ideal for creating a wow factor, and they are priced from £300.
A Kitchen is the heart of any home, and a dining area is where we love to entertain our guests. You can add a touch of elegance to both rooms, and stay practical by choosing practical fabrics that are easy to clean. Karen says: ‘Linen is a classic timeless fabric, which can be washed at high temperatures, is very strong, hardwearing and lasts. In fact it improves the more you wash it.’
Children’s rooms are great for creating a theme and getting bedspreads, curtains, pillows and beanbags to match. This Robot Appliqué duvet set and matching pillow cases from Adspace are made from 100 per cent long-staple, combed cotton. They cost £50 and would go great with some matching curtains.
So what are the latest trends for this year? Karen says: ‘The latest trends for this year are large oversized prints, including floral and botanical abstracts with a retro feel. Many fabrics are accompanied by silver or gold colours for a dramatic look that fits today’s minimalistic look. The Vintage look has been around for a while but is still popular and can be used in both modern and traditional settings.’
Other trends that are on the up are organic and eco-friendly fabrics. ‘Bamboo is becoming increasingly important as a yarn used for soft furnishing fabric because it grows quickly without the use of pesticides or fertilisers. Bamboo fibre is used in soft velvets and more textured fabrics and illustrates that ‘going green’ doesn’t mean looking boring.’
Karen recommends the Amelie range from Harlequin: ‘It is a relaxed but sophisticated collection of prints, weaves and embroideries.’ The inspiration for the Amelie range is a mixture of English country garden and French classic style, and celebrates a casual country look. The collection incorporates floral bouquets, delightful roses and many other floral patterns.
Soft furnishings are the key to adding personality to your home. They are the finishing touches to make your house feel completely yours and now you have all the know how to make them work for you.
Stockists:
Karen Rhodes Design
Pole Design
0845 409 3850/0131 202 0219
Raines & willow
01494 793 502
Felt rugs
020 8772 0358
Adspace
0845 872 2400
Harlequin
0845 123 6815
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